USIA - Text: Ambassador to Greece Nominee Nicholas Burns' Statement, 97-09-23

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TEXT: AMBASSADOR TO GREECE NOMINEE NICHOLAS BURNS' STATEMENT

(Sept. 23 Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing) (940)

Burns said during his confirmation hearing, "I believe that we are now at a particularly important and exciting moment in the history of relations between the United States and Greece.... If confirmed, I will work to take advantage of this opportunity to help construct what I think should be one of our central strategic aims -- a new era of trust and cooperation, economic growth and friendship between our countries."

He reflected on some of the main issues in Greek-American relations. "The challenges are many: to seek a peaceful resolution to disputes between Greece and Turkey; to resolve the problems afflicting Cyprus; to build broader and fair trade and open new possibilities for American business; to combat terrorism in Greece and in the region beyond."

Burns is a career diplomat who served previously as the State Department spokesman. He has served in Cairo and Jerusalem, and spent five years as the National Security Council's expert on Russia and the new independent states, and also as the NSC's Greece, Turkey and Cyprus expert.

Following is the text of Burns' statement:

(Begin text)

STATEMENT OF R. NICHOLAS BURNS BEFORE THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS SEPTEMBER 23, 1997

Thank you very much for the pleasure of appearing before you today. I am deeply honored to be President Clinton's nominee as ambassador to the Hellenic Republic. I am grateful to Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and former Secretary Warren Christopher for their friendship and confidence in me as their spokesman during the past two and one-half years. I am also touched by Senator Kennedy's support of my nomination today.

Mr. Chairman, Greece is a dynamic and increasingly important ally with which the United States should have the closest possible relations. Historically, those relations have been good. For nearly two centuries now, the American and Greek peoples have shared ties of kinship, commerce, culture and alliance. The democratic principles of ancient Greece inspired our founding fathers. And, in this century, we sealed our bond in World War II, Korea, and during the long decades of the Cold War.

I believe that we are now at a particularly important and exciting moment in the history of relations between the United States and Greece. During the last thirty years alone, the Greek people have overcome a harsh military dictatorship, joined the European Union, and begun an ambitious program of economic reforms. Athens' recent selection as host of the 2004 Olympic Games symbolizes anew Greece's role as a proud nation of historic achievement, committed to modern renewal. The tensions and disagreements that harmed our relations with Greece from time to time in the past are now receding. If confirmed, I will work to take advantage of this opportunity to help construct what I think should be one of our central strategic aims - - a new era of trust and cooperation, economic growth and friendship between our countries.

Indeed, I think it is time for us as Americans to remind ourselves of the importance of Greece to the American people -- as a valued NATO ally, an increasingly prosperous member of the European Union, a leader in the Balkans, and as a force for peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean. The challenges are many: to seek a peaceful resolution of disputes between Greece and Turkey, to resolve the problems afflicting Cyprus, to build broader and fair trade and open new possibilities for American business, to combat terrorism in Greece and in the region beyond.

If confirmed, I hope to tackle this agenda with the full support and involvement of the Greek-American community here in the United States. Greek-Americans have helped to make America a great country and they constitute the single strongest link between Greece and the U.S. My door will always be open to them.

I have always believed that confirmation as ambassador is the highest honor to which an American diplomat can aspire. I am fortunate to have worked during the past fifteen years on some of the most compelling issues in American foreign policy. From my service in Cairo and Jerusalem, and my five years in both the Bush and Clinton administrations as the National Security Council's expert on Russia and the New Independent States, I understand how important it is to be a tough advocate of American interests. And from my time as State Department spokesman, I earned my stripes in the increasingly vital arena of public communication, debate, and persuasion. Most importantly, my tenure for nearly two years as the NSC's Greece, Turkey and Cyprus expert has given me a good foundation for service in Greece.

If confirmed, I will travel to Greece, along with my wife Libby and our daughters Sarah, Elizabeth and Caroline, with gratitude for the confidence of the President and the Senate. I will be proud to follow in the footsteps of our current, distinguished ambassador, Tom Niles. And I will hope to be in frequent contact with members of this committee, to learn from you, to welcome you to Greece, and to work with you closely as we seek to build this new era of achievement with the Greek people.

(End text)

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