A stubborn United States Senator from Indiana has halted what would have been the 30th consecutive passing of a U.S. Senate resolution commemorating Greek Independence Day and a Washington DC based lobbying group is asking for community involvement to prevent this from happening.
Senator Dan Coats (R-IN) is using an undemocratic (but legal, according to Senate rules) blocking measure to prevent the passage of the largely ceremonial— yet important Senate Resolution because he was offended by a statement by Greek Defense Minister Panos Kammenos last month threatening to release millions of illegal immigrants upon Europe.
Efforts are under way by the National Coordinated Effort of Hellenes, a Washington DC-based lobbying group headed by veteran lobbyist and advocate for Greek national issues Andrew Manatos to encourage people throughout the nation to call Coats’ office and encourage him to lift the hold on the resolution’s passage.
“Senator Dan Coats has no idea what tragedy he could cause America’s men and women of the military with his grandstanding effort today to kill the simple Greek Independence Day Resolution. This resolution is America’s expression, in each of the last 29 years, of gratitude for all the wonderful things Greece has always done for our nation.”
Coats is trying to kill this resolution because of Kammenos’ statement last month.
According to Manatos, “the statement was motivated by the EU’s economic asphyxiation of the people of Greece. It was made out of frustration and anger and was not taken seriously. Among the hundreds of US and other countries’ officials who, unlike Coats, are experts on this matter, none has chosen to conduct themselves like Coats.”
Manatos, in a statement issued by the National Coordinated Effort drew parallels to Greece’s strategic role over the years and that of neighbor Turkey.
“When Americans died because Turkey refused to let us use our military base in Incirlik, Turkey to invade Iraq, Greece came to our rescue with their base at Souda Bay in Crete, Greece. Greece is one of only seven countries in the world that has been our ally in every international conflict in the 20th Century — it has always come to our rescue. In recent years, thousands of our ships and planes and hundreds of thousands of American military men and women involved in the Middle East have desperately needed Greece’s Souda Bay base, that Greece has graciously given it to us.
“If, given the dangerously desperate and volatile economic situation in Greece today, Coats’ grandstanding moves Greece toward doing what virtually all other countries, except for Greece, have done — not always supporting America and its troops — Coats’ legacy will have played a tragic role,” said Manatos.
According to Manatos, Coats offered to lift the ban only after receiving an official statement that this was not the official policy of the Greek government. Greek Ambassador to Washington DC Christos Panagopoulos tried repeatedly to phone Coats’ office to assure him that this was not official Greek government policy.
A stubborn Coats refused to take Panagopoulos’ calls, asking instead for an official statement in writing from the government— something impossible to obtain, according to Panagopoulos, given the time difference and the fact that Greek government offices were already closed when Coats made the abnormal request, since Ambassadors are considered representatives of a foreign nation and Panagopoulos could certainly speak on behalf of his government.
The National Coordinated Effort statement encouraged people across the nation to call the Senator’s office in Washington DC.
“Please call – don’t email because it will get lost among the over 25,000 emails US Senators receive each week -Senator Dan Coats’ office at 202-224-5623 and urge him to chose America’s interests and release the Greek Independence Day Resolution.”
19 comments
This is only one of many stances taken by an increasingly backward-moving state that used to have a diverse and sometimes progressive posture about the world in days past. It’s now almost embarrassing to say my father was born of Greek immigrants who settled there during Ellis Island days. What on earth has happened to Indiana?
Republicans.
JIM WHAT DO YOU MEAN REPUBLICANS?
JUST REPUBLICANS?
NO TIME FOR PARTISAN POLITICS!!!! WE HAVE A NASTY HABIT TO TRY TO DIVIDE…
ALL AMERICAN HELLENES TAKE A UNITED STANCE WHEN IT COMES TO NATIONAL HELLENIC ISSUES!
How would America react if, say, the Mexican or Canadian Defense Minister had threatened to release millions of illegal immigrants ( and few terrorists !?! ) upon the U,S?
The grandstanding Mr. Pappas was by the Greek Defense Minister Panos Kammenos last month threatening to release millions of illegal immigrants upon Europe.
Following European Union Policy, Greece, Italy and other countries in the south can not let illegal immigrants (refugees) continue their trip to northern Europe even when these people have relatives up north who can support them financially. With the previous Greek Government Prisons called Camps were created to keep these immigrants away from the north. How would the southern States react if they could not keep up with the number of illegal immigrants? Middle East War created thousands of refugees and a humanitarian policy should be drafted to accommodate people in need. If Greece is forced to exit European Union then she would not be bound by this treaty. This is what Kammenos might have meant in saying that they will let all these people go up north. Greece has no strong economy to support thousands of people in a grey zone who can not move anywhere. Would the Indiana senator like to help in getting these people in the United States?
This has nothing to do MALASPINA. The Greek Independence can not be used as an excuse to attack to a minister of defence or to threat him this is unethical. How would USA feel if i say i do not recognise USA Independence ? or I do not recognise the declaration of Independence of July 4th 1776. You see it is very easy to start this Kind of wars. Greece is a Nation and was there from the ancient times people gave a fight for freedom and liberty. USA by doing such actions is just saying to you that Liberty and Freedom have no value to USA. So you see this turned to be against USA not against Greeks because Greeks are proud people and no matter what USA says to us we do honor Freedom and Liberty and the belief that people must fight for it at all Cost while your USA does not believe that and this action is an example that they do not honor the actions of a nation to resist to Tyranny. Thats because USA wants to Apply TYRANNY to you and to your lifes because USA is controlled by ZIONISTS and because all politicians have sold their soul to money thus there is none to honor such values and ofc the GREEKS are the enemy because they are the ones who honor those values. GREECE IS THE SYMBOL OF LIBERTY .
This is very sad and upsetting to me. Perhaps Indiana governor and senator need to go visit ST.PHOTIOS GREEK ORTHODOX MUSEIUM in St. Augustine , FL. When they see what the Greek immigrants went through ..basically treated like slaves but they survived and look what my Greek heritage has brought to our country!!
Not asking for streets and highways being named for any great Greek hero. Simply want GREEK INDEPENDENCE
DAY recognized..
He will not because he is a Zionist JEW man it is sad that the zionist jews hate Greece so much
This despite Greeks being known to have down the bravest resistance in protecting Jews from the Nazis!
most of you Greeks voting for Republicans so enjoy now……
Well said. As always with the republican party of “ME ME ME” its always fine till it affects “me”!
IS MR COATS A SENATOR IN EUROPE, I THINK HE IS A VERY CONFUSING POLITICIAN, I SAY PANOS KAMENOS SENDS HIM 2.500.000 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN INDIANA AND LET HIM GIVE THEM A JOB, GREECE IS BANKRUPT BOOOOO REEEEEE
This is extremely disturbing. The ignorance of this person who is unfortunately in the United States Senate is embarrassing. He understands nothing of the history of the Greek people and nation and I am sure does not know the quote of Sir Winston Churchill in his great praise for Greek bravery in World War II. We do not need some small minded, backwater ignoramus grandstanding for his base at the expense of not recognizing the importance of Greek Independence Day to not only Greece but the world.
Brzezinski, warns of consequences of the Greek crisis. Franco-German empire playing economic games threating the stability of West and Eurasia:
http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/international/europe/2015/03/25/moscow-friendly-greece-paralyze-nato/70444896/
Clinton deregulated banks. Now sorry. Lewinsky scandal distracted him. Wasn’t thinking. Didn’t realize end game. Misery foisted on the innocent. He, of course, unscathed. He didn’t lose his savings, house, job, pension, position as a captain of the world, life. His funders gained. But, they could not elect him. The voters that put him on his high horse suffered material, physical and psychological losses.
Greece’s impossible bailout designed by a finance captain brought down by the stranglehold of a third world born chamber maid. President of France is having trousers trouble.
Debt unsustainable. Greece must reform its bureaucracy. World must stop Franco-German capital blockade against Greece now before it is too late!
Dear Senator Coats,
First, the only thing you have accomplished by this action is to offend Greek Americans who are very proud of their history and the sacrifices their ancestors made so that a free Greece could exist today.
Second, you’ve played into the propaganda of irrational imbeciles such as the current Foreign Minister of Greece, a former Communist who seeks closer ties with Russia, at America’s expense. Thanks for making his goal of driving a wedge between Greece and America that much easier.
Third, you show no comprehension of what is going on in Europe right now- bluster and posturing between the EU and Greece- however childish that may seem, both sides are engaged in it and seek to benefit from statements they, at times such as this, have no intention of fulfilling.
Finally, you show no comprehension of the current state of immigration in Greece and the problems it has caused, where nearly all (90-95%) undocumented/illegal migrants in the EU are forcibly removed to Greece because Greece was their point of entry- as per the disastrous “Dublin II” agreements- making the EU country that is the least capable of the financial and administrative cost of accommodating migrants the one most heavily burdened with them.
It is the anger over these EU policies that these politicians have tapped into with their comments. At no time have they ever even hinted that they would issue EU passports to such migrants, and there is absolutely no way those migrants could ever make it to America. Your point is moot, your reasoning flawed, and your understanding of the situation in Greece and the rest of Europe so lacking that it is both embarrassing and worrisome.
I welcome your decision not to run for re-election, and encourage you to surrender your seat in the Senate immediately so that no further harm can come from such ignorance and incompetence as you’ve displayed with regard to this issue.
Sincerely yours,
Peter Strouzas
Proud Hellene
Just make sure all Greeks contribute to his campaign for re-election, because we LOVE guys like this!!!!!
HEY INDIANA GREEKS – REMEMBER THIS DAY!!!!!!
AND TO JAMES: THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO PLAY PARTISAN POLITICS…
NEXT TIME THEY ALL COME AROUND FOR $$$$ DONT FORGET MARCH 25th 2015!
That’s somewhat hypocritical to say let’s not make this political, and then you make it political. Derp.
S.O.B.
Well said Mr. Strouzas.
Coats is an embarrassing rep/senator to the Greeks in our district. He’s always been anti-Greek. We are well aware of him & his undemocratic tactics & tickled that he’s not running again finally.