[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 36 (Wednesday, March 19, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S2572]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY

 Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, March 25, 1997, marks a special day 
for the Greek people and for all the friends of Greece around the 
world. It is the 176th anniversary of the day in 1821 when the people 
of Greece declared their independence from centuries of political, 
religious and cultural repression under the Ottoman Empire. Greek 
independence was recognized 8 years later only after a long, hard-
fought struggle during which the people of Greece made countless 
sacrifices for their freedom.
  Contemporary American leaders, such as James Monroe and Daniel 
Webster, recognized that the ideals of the American Revolution--
individual liberty, representative democracy, and personal dignity--
were also the foundation for Greece's declaration of independence. 
Americans in the 1820's quickly identified with the struggle of the 
Greek patriots because they knew in their hearts that it was a 
continuation of their own struggle for political and religious freedom. 
The same spirit of democracy that was born and flourished in Greece a 
thousand years ago, and which fanned the flames of the American 
revolution, inspired the Greek patriots to persevere in their struggle 
against their Turkish oppressors.
  The United States and Greece are now old friends and trusted allies. 
Our two nations and people are bound by unbreakable bonds which link us 
through common interests, values, and political heritage. It is clear 
that our cherished ideals of democracy and freedom are as strong as 
ever and continue to inspire other countries to follow our example. One 
need look no further than to the fledgling democracies of Eastern 
Europe and the New Independent States of the former Soviet Union to see 
the huge impact these ideals are still having on our world as we enter 
the 21st century.
  Independence, of course, must be guarded vigilantly, and in the past 
176 years Greece's independence has been challenged by forces both 
external and internal. Therefore, even as we recognize and celebrate 
Greece's long independence today, we must also be mindful of the 
threats which Greece faces in today's world. The ongoing dispute with 
Turkey over the islet of Imia and the Albanian Government's recent 
military action near the Greek border serve as troubling reminders of 
Greece's vulnerability and the instability of the Balkan region.
  On this, the 176th anniversary of Greek independence, let us extend 
our warmest congratulations to the people of Greece. And let us also 
rededicate America's commitment to Greece and to strengthening the 
solidarity that exists between our two great nations.

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