[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 36 (Friday, March 25, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 25, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
         IN HONOR OF THE 173D ANNIVERSARY OF GREEK INDEPENDENCE

  Mr. RIEGLE. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate the 
anniversary of the beginning of the Greek struggle to regain 
independence from the Ottoman Empire. One hundred and seventy-three 
years ago, the Greek people took a courageous stand by declaring their 
independence from powerful Turkish rulers. Thus sparked a struggle for 
freedom that would last until 1827. On October 20 of that year, the 
400-year-old Greek struggle against oppressive foreign rule culminated 
in the defeat of the Turkish militia and the reestablishment of a free 
and independent Greece.
  As in the past, I am proud to be a cosponsor of Senate Joint 
Resolution 162, which designates this day as ``Greek Independence Day: 
A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy.'' It is 
fitting that on this day we commemorate the close relationship of the 
Greek and American people throughout the struggle for independence and 
throughout the Greek and American transformations into modern, 
democratic States. Moreover, we must take this opportunity to renew our 
commitment to maintain this relationship in the future.
  The close affiliation between the United States and Greece finds 
its roots in shared democratic traditions. Modern American democracy 
draws directly from the system first established by the Greeks. We can 
also attribute some of the greatest advances in art, philosophy, 
science, and law to our Greek friends.

  As a result of these cultural and political ties between the United 
States and Greece, both countries have continued to maintain a 
cooperative pose. Greek revolutionaries first used the language of our 
Declaration of Independence as a framework for their own document. 
Since that time, our countries have remained political and economic 
allies--we fought together during both World Wars, and during the cold 
war the United States helped to prevent expansionist Communist regimes 
from crossing Greek borders. Most recently, the United States was able 
to turn to Greece and its other NATO allies for support during the Gulf 
war.
  As we celebrate the historic affinity of the Greek and American 
people, let us remember the importance of maintaining this relationship 
in the future. Moreover, let us recognize the specific steps we must 
take to ensure that this partnership remains strong.
  We are fortunate that President Clinton has demonstrated his 
willingness to maintain the military equilibrium between Greece and 
Turkey by balancing the foreign military assistance granted to each 
country. Congress must maintain its vigilance, however, to ensure that 
this balance is kept in the future. The role of the United States must 
also not diminish in addressing the international conflicts that 
continue to threaten the Greek people.
  The United States has recently stepped up its role in the conflict in 
the former Yugoslavia. We must continue to lend our support to a 
resolution of this conflict that is fair, and that prevents the 
violence from spilling into the neighboring Balkan countries. At the 
same time, we must remain sensitive to the particular concerns that 
Greece has in that area. Although the conflict in Cyprus has inched 
closer to a resolution, we must remain cautious that the final solution 
is a fair one. We must be especially adamant that the whereabouts of 
those missing since the Turkish invasion of Cyprus are accounted for. 
Finally, we must draw attention to the plight of the Pontian Greeks 
trapped in the former Soviet Republic of Georgia, whose situation has 
grown steadily worse over the past several months.
  Mr. President, this is the last opportunity I will have as a U.S. 
Senator to celebrate the anniversary of Greek independence. However, I 
would like to remind all of my colleagues who will remain here, and 
those who will soon join them, of the importance of the agenda I have 
just addressed. The cooperation of the Greek and American people has 
enabled both cultures and political systems to flourish. Let us not 
forget the success of our past collaborative efforts, and let us ensure 
that they will continue well into the future.

                          ____________________