diaspora

Outgoing Greek Ambassador Alexandros Mallias is getting a big send off for all of his fine work in helping the American Omogeneia and Diaspora (still wandering in search of a home) advance the interests of the Greek state. Here’s the key paragraph from a report in SAE News:

[Mallias] forged and cultivated substantive relations with the organized Omogenia undertaking initiatives focusing on the coordination, unity and cooperation of its powers for the promotion of issues of Greek interest. He kept us updated on the course and progress of our national issues, actively participated in meetings of Greek-American organizations and contributed to every effort aimed at supporting and promoting Greek education and culture, mobilizing the youth on Greek issues and establishing relations between Greek and Greek-American businessmen. He and his associates were always accessible and eager to brief the Greek-American community and suggest more effective ways to promote Greek issues as US citizens. It is up to us whether we will build on the foundations he has laid to ensure the unity and cooperation of the Greek-American community on issues of our concern.

Yes, it’s up to us. For sure.

SAE (World Council of Hellenes Abroad) USA Regional Coordinator Theo Spyropoulos also reminds us that “in countries with Diaspora, like the United States, Hellenism can very well be utilized as an aid to serve foreign policy aims.”

There shouldn’t be any doubt about the primary role that the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese plays in this lobbying effort. As Ambassador Mallias told Greek News today:

Greece’s greatest asset in the United States is the Hellenic American Community, starting with the Archdiocese, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, and the organized associations.

I always try to challenge the belief that there is no Greek lobby in Washington. In an article on lobbying in the recent issue of “Foreign Affairs,” the Greek lobby is listed among the top four or five strongest in Washington, alongside the Israeli, Armenian, Irish lobbies. This is the general perception in Washington. I see no reason to question it. It is a fact that Greek-Americans, both as individuals and through associations, are passionate about promoting Greek-U.S. relations and the issues of Hellenism and Orthodoxy.

Watch the video of Ambassador Mallias’ address to the 2008 Clergy-Laity Congress in Washington, and listen to his thoughts on Hellenism and Orthodoxy, here.

The full report from SAE News: Continue reading →