Text 4264, 149 rader
Skriven 2007-03-23 23:31:20 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0703234) for Fri, 2007 Mar 23
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President Bush Hosts Celebration of Greek Independence Day at the White
House
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For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary March 23, 2007

President Bush Hosts Celebration of Greek Independence Day at the White
House East Room

˙ Video (Windows) ˙˙White House News

˙˙˙˙˙ Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and
American Democracy, 2007

3:10 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Your Eminence, thanks. It's great to have you back at the
White House. One of the joys about being the President is you get to meet
some pretty interesting people. And I will tell Your Eminence, I value our
friendship. You're such a gentle soul, and it gives me great -- it soothes
my spirit to be with you. I appreciate your prayers and I appreciate your
leadership, and I am proud to join you in celebrating the 186th anniversary
of Greek independence. And we're glad you're here. Thanks for coming.

As you can tell, there is going to be a series of orations, and then you
get to go have some refreshments. I appreciate the leaders of the Greek
American community who are here with us today. Our country is home to 1.2
million Greek Americans -- actually, more than that. And, Your Eminence,
Greek Americans have really enriched our culture and enriched our nation's
heritage. They're a lively bunch, as you know -- (laughter) -- but an
important group of people in our country, and that's really what we
celebrate here. We celebrate our friendship with the nation of Greece.

And Madam Foreign Minister, thanks for coming. I talked to Condi about her
discussions with you. We have a lot to do together, and I appreciate your
leadership.

I thank the Ambassador for joining us today. Mr. Ambassador, thanks. Thanks
for bringing Francoise, wife. I appreciate the Ambassador from -- the
Cypriot Ambassador to the United States. Andreas, thank you for coming.
Appreciate you being here. Thank you for bringing your wife, Kareen.

I want to thank Nick Burns for being here, former Ambassador to Greece from
the United States, now top official at the State Department. One of my top
advisors happens to be a Greek American -- Fran Townsend, Fran Fragos
Townsend, whose advice I listen to on a regular basis, Your Eminence. Thank
you for serving.

I appreciate the members of Congress who have come. Thank you all for
taking time: Congressmen Carolyn Maloney, from New York; Gus Bilirakis,
from Florida; John Sarbanes, from Maryland; Zack Space, from Ohio. I
appreciate you all coming. You're welcome to be here.

I want to thank Father Alex -- wherever you are -- there he is. Father
Alex, yes, trying to be as low profile as possible. Appreciate you coming
and thanks for your continued friendship.

I want to thank members of the United States military, Greek Americans who
wear the uniform of the United States. I thank you for your service, I
thank you for your dedication, I thank you for your stalwart defense of
freedom and peace. (Applause.)

As you mentioned, Your Eminence, in 1821, the people of Greece proclaimed
their independence. And they risked their lives to secure liberty. They
knew that their land had been the home of the first democratic society, the
first place in the world where people could choose their leaders, speak
their minds and freely explore the arts and the sciences.

These Greek patriots also knew that freedom and democracy were more than
just a legacy, that they were their destiny. And they believed like I
believe that freedom is the hope of all mankind -- not just a few people,
but of all mankind.

And when they made their stand for freedom and independence they found a
lot of friends in this country, Americans who express their support by
contributing funds, and some who volunteer to serve in the new Greek army.
Americans stood with Greece again after World War II, when violent
communist insurgents threatened Greece's free government. As you mentioned,
President Truman saw the danger, and he articulated a new and bold doctrine
for our country. In an address to the United States Congress, he put it
this way: "It must be the policy of the United States to support free
peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by
outside pressures."

Like democracy, itself, the Truman doctrine grew out of the experience of
the Greek people, and affirmed the desire for freedom for all people -- not
just a handful, not just some, but for all.

Today, Greece and the United States are allies in the cause of freedom,
Madam Minister, and I want you to send thanks to your government. In
Afghanistan, a Greek engineering team provides support to the international
security assistance force; a Greek medical team provides emergency care to
those who are wounded. And we thank you very much.

In Lebanon, Greek naval units are part of a UNIFIL force supporting the
democratic Siniora government. These Greek forces are serving with courage,
they're helping young democracies who struggle against the forces of evil.
And I appreciate your vision. I appreciate the good work that we're doing
to lay the foundation of peace for generations to come. It is hard work,
Madam Minister, but it is necessary work.

I appreciate the important help Greece has provided to Americans who find
themselves in danger overseas. Last summer, Greece was one of the first
nations to offer ships to help evacuate Americans who found themselves
stranded in Lebanon following Hezbollah's unprovoked terrorist attacks on
Israel. We called for your help, and you delivered, and we appreciate that
a lot. That's what friends do.

In January, the Greek government responded quickly following a grenade
attack on our embassy in Athens. And we appreciate the determination of
Greek authorities to bring those responsible for this attack to justice.
We're grateful for the many messages of sympathy and support we've received
after those attacks.

We also share with Greece important ties of faith, Your Eminence. The Greek
Orthodox Church counts more than 1 million members in the United States,
and it plays a vital role in the spiritual life of our nation. Your
Eminence, I thank you, and congratulate you on 40 years of ministry as a
bishop. You're providing necessary and important leadership here in the
United States. You are a man of wisdom. You're a man of prayer. I
appreciated your thoughtful response to me and Laura after the September
the 11th attacks. These were tough times for our nation, and your
comforting call meant a lot to me.

I thank you for your determination to rebuild what was lost on that
terrible day. On 9/11 the terrorists who struck Manhattan brought down not
only magnificent skyscrapers, but a humble house of worship. Before those
attacks, St. Nicholas Church stood just south of the second tower of the
World Trade Center. Your vision is for a new St. Nicholas to rise just a
few steps from its original site. And with your help, St. Nicholas will
once again be a sanctuary of faith in New York's financial district, and a
new center of reconciliation for visitors from all over the world.

I thank you very much, Your Eminence, for gracing this house. This is the
people's house. This belongs to everybody who's an American. I thank you
for your vision of peace. I thank you for your spirituality. And I thank
you for joining me as we celebrate Greek Independence Day.

May God bless you all. (Applause.)

END 3:18 P.M. EDT

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