AHEPA Hosts Forum on US/Greece Strategic Partnership in the Balkans

Supreme President Visits with Voice of America; New US Ambassador to Cyprus



AHEPA held a forum on “The U.S./Greece Strategic Partnership in the Balkans” on Friday, December 2, 2005 in Washington.

“We felt strongly that this was a very timely and salient topic of discussion as there have been several events occurring in Washington and abroad that address the issue of future stability in the Balkans,” Supreme President Gus J. James, II said. "Our panel provided insightful information and a diverse perspective on the issue.”


Supreme Lodge, Board of Trustees Officers, Past Supreme Presidents, and dinitaries gather
around Ambassador Alexandros Mallias, and his wife, Francoise at a dinner in his honor.

Panelists included: His Excellency Alexandros P. Mallias, ambassador of the Hellenic Republic to the United States; Douglas Silliman, director, Office of Southern European Affairs, U.S. Department of State; Julie Kim, specialist in international relations, Congressional Research Service; Ilona Teleki, deputy director, New Emerging Democracies Project, Center for Strategic and International Studies; and Phillip Henderson, vice president, The German Marshall Fund of the United States.

According to the supreme president, the forum is the second in a series of panel discussions that comprise the “Voice of Hellenism” campaign. The campaign’s goal is to create greater awareness and education about issues pertaining to Hellenism and the Greek-American community.

A transcript of the proceedings will be made available on www.ahepa.org or by contacting AHEPA Headquarters.
Also on Dec. 2, AHEPA hosted a dinner in honor of Ambassador Mallias, introducing him to many AHEPA Supreme Lodge and Board of Trustees members as well as Past Supreme Presidents from across the United States.

“We want to help the ambassador outreach to pockets of the Greek American community that are not necessarily major metropolitan areas,” said James. "With chapters throughout the United States, AHEPA is the vehicle by which we can help make that happen.”

In addition, James met with newly confirmed American Ambassador to the Republic of Cyprus Ronald L. Schlicher at the State Department on Thursday, Dec. 1.



Ambassador Mallias and State Department
Official Silliman were part of a five-member
panel on the Balkans
"We were impressed with his diplomatic philosophy and his objectivity,” said James. "We expressed areas of concern with regard to recent trends in U.S. policy toward Cyprus and discussed the plans for our excursion to Cyprus this April. The ambassador welcomed our positions and our objectives for the excursion. We look forward to working with him.”

Past Supreme President A. Jack Georgalas and AHEPA Cyprus Hellenic Affairs Co-Chair Michael Savvides joined James in the meeting. All three individuals are of Cypriot heritage.

Moreover, James was interviewed by Voice of America about two of AHEPA’s upcoming events: the 37th Biennial National Salute and the aforementioned AHEPA Family Excursion to Greece, Cyprus and the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
(Posting date 4 May 2006)

The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) is the largest and oldest American-based, Greek heritage grassroots membership organization. Its scope is international with chapters in the United States, Canada, Greece, and Cyprus, and "sister" chapters in Australia and New Zealand under the auspices of AHEPA Australasia. AHEPA was founded on July 26, 1922 in response to the evils of bigotry and racism that emerged in early 20th century American society. It also helped Greek immigrants assimilate into society. Today, AHEPA brings the ideals of ancient Greece, which includes philanthropy, education, civic responsibility, and family and individual excellence to the community. The AHEPA family consists of four organizations: AHEPA, Daughters of Penelope, Sons of Pericles and Maids of Athena. For more information about the organization or how to join, contact AHEPA Headquarters (202-232-6300) or visit the organization's newly redesigned website at http://www.ahepa.org.

HCS maintains an extensive archives of AHEPA articles and press releases which readers are invited to browse under the AHEPA Family Releases section of the site archives at http://www.helleniccomserve.com/archiveahepa.html.


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