Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-03-22

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Bush Proclamation on Greek Independence Day

[01] Bush Proclamation on Greek Independence Day

The White House event will also be attended by Greece's foreign minister Dora Bakoyannis, who is currently in Washington on a US visit that also included talks in New York with UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon.

On Thursday, the White House issued a Proclamation by President Bush designating March 25, 2007 as "Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy, 2007".

Bush Proclamation

The full text of the Proclamation is as follows:

"The United States and Greece share a long friendship built on common values and an abiding love for freedom. On Greek Independence Day, we underscore the warm ties between our countries, recognize the Greek Americans who enrich our society, and commemorate the anniversary of modern Greece.

"The ancient Greeks entrusted their citizens with the right to govern, and they believed in the power of freedom to protect human dignity and basic human rights. Many of America's Founding Fathers studied Greek history and took inspiration from these democratic ideals as they framed our Constitution. The founders of modern Greece had the strong support of our own young democracy when they declared their independence in 1821, and our nations have stood as allies in the major conflicts of the 20th century. Today, we continue to defend freedom together in the global war on terror, as Greek and American Armed Forces work to lay the foundation of peace for generations to come.

"On Greek Independence Day, and throughout the year, we celebrate the universality of freedom and the enduring bonds between Greece and the United States.

"NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 25, 2007, as Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy. I call upon all Americans to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

"IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-first day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand seven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-first."

Washington events

Archbishop Demetrios of America will preside over the commemorative events in Washington on Thursday and Friday, culimating in a special ceremony at the White House on Friday marking the proclamation of March 25, 2007 as "Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy".

On Thursday, Demetrios will host a brunch in honour of the newly-elected members of the US Congress who are of Greek origin, and will also have a private meeting with visiting Greek foreign minister Dora Bakoyannis.

Later, Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi will host a luncheon in honour of the Archbishop and Bakoyannis, after which Demetrios will have consecutive meetings with Greek-American Senator Olympia Snowe, US Senate majority leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) and minority leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky).

On Thursday night, the US president's Assistant for Homeland Security director Frances Fragos Townsend, also of Greek-American descent, will host a dinner in honour of the Archbishop on the occasion of the celebration of Greek Independence Day at Blair House, where traditionally the White House guests are hosted.

On Friday, the Archbishop will have breakfast with the US president's special envoy for Sudan, Andrew Natsios, who is a Greek-American, followed by the laying of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns (Tomb of the Unknown Soldier) at Arlington National Cemetery.

The celebrations will culminate with the special event at the White House, which will be addressed by President Bush and Archbishop Demetrios.

Caption: ANA-MPA/EPA file photo of US president George Bush (EPA/Ulises Rodriguez)

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