Posted on Wednesday, October 15 @ 13:32:28 EDT by greek_news
NEW YORK.- By APOSTOLOS ZOUPANIOTIS
Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama issued today a strong message to the Greek American Community, expressing his support to Cyprus and Macedonian issues, as well as the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
The National Chairman of Greek-Americans for Obama, State Treasurer from Illinois Alexi Giannoulias, speaking exclusively to the Greek News revealed Obama's message, that is going to be released later on.
“Senators Obama and Biden have demonstrated, once again, their understanding of issues of importance to our community and their commitment to the rule of law and to justice” Giannoulias told the Greek News.
“This statement, while just a beginning, provides a solid basis from which our community can engage with the Obama-Biden administration and shows that we may once again have friends in the White House”, Alexi Giannoulias concluded.
It is the first time ever that a major Presidential candidate refers to “Turkish Occupation”.
The Statement follows:
BARACK OBAMA AND JOE BIDEN: SUPPORTING GREEK AMERICANS
Barack Obama and Joe Biden have been true friends of the Greek American community throughout their careers in public service. Obama has worked closely with this community, especially the large constituency in Chicago, Illinois, and always supported the Greek community's participation in the American political process. Obama and Biden greatly respect the major contributions Greek Americans have made to so many aspects of the American experience. They will continue to work closely with Greek Americans at home and reestablish America's strong partnership with Greece and our other European allies abroad.
A Just and Lasting Political Settlement on Cyprus: As president, Barack Obama will show U.S. leadership in seeking to negotiate a political settlement on Cyprus. He believes strongly that Cyprus should remain a single, sovereign country in which each of the two communities on the island is able to exercise substantial political authority within a bi-zonal, bicommunal federation. There must be a just and mutually agreed settlement of difficult issues like property, refugees, land, and security. A negotiated political settlement on Cyprus would end the Turkish occupation of northern Cyprus and repair the island's tragic division while paving the way to prosperity and peace throughout the entire region. It would also give Cypriots a firm foundation on which to build their future after many years of division and uncertainty. It would help foster better Greek-Turkish relations, strengthen Turkish democracy, reduce the risk of military conflict, and remove a major obstacle to Turkish membership in the EU.
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia: Barack Obama was one of three original lead co-sponsors of Senate Resolution 300, which urged that the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia work with Greece within the framework of the United Nations process to reach a mutually-acceptable official name for that country and achieve longstanding United States and United Nations policy goals. Obama supports the UN-led negotiations and believes that there can and should be an agreement between Skopje and Athens on a mutually-acceptable name that leads to greater stability in the Balkans.
Ecumenical Patriarchate: Barack Obama was one of 73 Senators who signed a letter to President Bush in 2006 urging him to press Turkey to restore the full rights of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of the Orthodox Christian Church in Istanbul. He has sent Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice a personal letter on the same matter. Senator Obama calls on Turkey to respect the Ecumenical Patriarchateʼs rights and freedoms, including its property rights. Turkey should allow the reopening of the Patriarchate's school of theology on Halki Island and guarantee the right to train clergy of all nationalities, not just Turkish nationals.
The U.S. Economy: Despite their hard work, American families are finding it harder and harder each day to make ends meet. Barack Obama supports an immediate $50 billion emergency stimulus plan that would provide immediate assistance to help struggling local governments, continue needed infrastructure projects and protect jobs. Barack Obama will restore fairness to the tax code and provide 95 percent of American workers with a tax credit of up to $500 per person, or $1,000 per working family. Obama will fight for trade agreements that support American jobs and enforce good labor and environmental standards.
Affordable, Accessible Health Care to All: There are 45.5 million uninsured Americans today. Obama will sign legislation by the end of his first term in office that will provide affordable, accessible health coverage to all Americans. His plan will save a typical family up to $2,500 every year on medical costs by modernizing our health care system.
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