Greek-Americans Protest Revision of Asia Minor Decree

A key Greek-American organization urged the government of Greece not to remove the word "genocide" from a presidential decree marking September 14th as a remembrance day for those killed in Asia Minor during 1922. The Greek government has indicated it will change the language used in the decree, removing explicit references to genocide in an effort to protect a continuing diplomatic warming between Greece and Turkey.

In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Kostas Simitis and signed by its Supreme President, the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) called on the Greek government to keep the stronger wording. But if the government decides otherwise, AHEPA continued, Turkey should show its appreciation by making a reciprocal gesture -- such as taking steps to resolve the Cyprus problem, or guaranteeing religious freedom for the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

No Compromising History for Detente, Organization Insists

"AHEPA comprehends the need for an easing of relations between Greece and Turkey and applauds the ongoing efforts of the Greek government and its Foreign Minister George Papandreou toward this goal...However, it is the policy of AHEPA not to compromise our history as a people in order to achieve detente," the letter stated, noting that many of the organization's members are the descendants of people who survived the Asia Minor catastrophe.

The decree is the result of a vote two years ago by the Greek parliament. Before reaching the President's office for signature, it was apparently withdrawn on the instructions of Prime Minister Kostas Simitis and sent to the Foreign Ministry for revision. In early March, Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas suggested that the decree had to be changed because of 1948 treaties governing the use of the term genocide.  But the main factor is probably the Simitis administration's commitment to improving relations with Ankara.

Relations Eased between Balkan Rivals

Greece and Turkey put aside their suspicions to aid each other during a series of earthquakes, and the show of goodwill sparked a rapprochement that some see as initiating a new Balkan era. Foreign Minister George Papandreou has already met twice this year with his Turkish counterpart, Ismail Cem, and will do so again this May.

"We don't mind there being a rapprochment between Greece and Turkey," AHEPA public relations director Andrew Kaffes told Hellenic Communication Service. "In fact, we approve. But we don't think history should be compromised in the process." AHEPA members, inaugurating a reforestation program, visited Greece around the time news of the changes to the decree circulated in the Greek papers. "We were in Greece," Kaffes said, "so we took the opportunity to do something about it." The letter was delivered on March 5th. The Greek government has yet to respond.

Ironically, the Greek government's decision to tone down the language in its decree comes at a time when other nations have passed resolutions acknowledging Turkish state actions as genocidal. In January, France angered the Turkish government by passing such a resolution, and similar measures have been passed by Italy and the European parliament. In the U.S., New York governor George Pataki's recent statement condemning the Turkish purge of Pontian Greeks used the term genocide. Last fall, threats from Turkey to deny use of its air bases stopped the U.S. Congress from voting on a resolution acknowledging genocide against Armenians, but the measure is likely to be reintroduced this year.

American Hellenic Media Project Launches Petition

Meanwhile, a second Hellenic organization published a letter of protest on its website and called for visitors to e-mail the Greek parliament.  The American Hellenic Media Project accused the Simitis administration of "ensuring the perpetuation of a morally damaged neighbor with an outmoded nationalist ideology who will continue to threaten territorial conquest and sap Greece's full economic and human potential."  And the Hellenic Electronic Center, a non-profit group that seeks to disseminate information about Hellenism through information technology, published an internet petition that will be sent to the Greek government.