[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 13 (Monday, April 2, 2001)]
[Pages 510-511]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Honoring Greek Independence Day

March 23, 2001

    Your Eminence, thank you very much, sir. It's always an honor to be 
in your presence. I think the last time we were together was at the 
church service right after I had the honor of being sworn in as the 
President. And I appreciate so very much you being there.
    Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Niotis, Ambassador Philon, 
Ambassador Marcoullis, Director Tenet, distinguished guests from Greece, 
as well as from America, welcome. This is a beautiful room to hold an 
important ceremony.
    I want to thank you all for coming. I particularly want to thank 
Congressman Mike Bilirakis, as well as Senator Olympia Snowe, who is not 
with us today. I know where she is since I flew her up to Maine earlier. 
[Laughter] I want to thank you both for organizing the events. And it's 
interesting to note that I have been in your State and her State within 
the last week. All is well. [Laughter]
    When I became President, I inherited the responsibility to safeguard 
one of America's oldest and most sacred friendships--that of the 
Government and people of the United States with the Government and 
people of Greece. We must keep that relationship vibrant, as it has been 
for 180 years.
    It was 180 years ago that Greece proclaimed its independence--yet 
another example of Greece's contribution to the cause of human liberty. 
Few nations in the history of the world have done more to contribute to 
democratic self-government.
    A Chinese scholar, hoping to foster an appreciation of Western 
thought in his country, recently translated the works of Homer into 
Chinese. He mastered ancient Greek in order to produce the most accurate 
translation possible and explained it this way: ``If one wants to 
understand Western civilization, one has to search back to its roots, 
and the roots lead to ancient Greece.''

[[Page 511]]

    Greek ideals had an enormous influence on the American Founders. 
James Madison, the Father of the Constitution, wrote this: ``Among the 
confederacies of antiquity, the most considerable was that of the 
Grecian Republics.''
    We respect the ancient influence of Greece, and we value its modern 
friendships. Greece and America have been allies in the great 20th 
century struggles against nazism, Soviet communism, and Iraqi 
aggression. Our two nations are bound by history, by trade, by mutual 
respect, by common ideals, and one of the world's most important 
alliances.
    We in the United States consider Greece to be a friend, a strong 
ally, and a powerful force for good in the world. And all the world will 
see this in vivid display when Athens hosts the Olympics of 2004. We're 
all looking forward to the great event.
    I'm very pleased with the strong and expanding relationship between 
the United States and Greece. Our trade has increased by 16 percent in 
the last year. Tourism and high level contacts between the United States 
and Greece have also increased.
    I want you to know that the United States stands ready to help 
Greece and Turkey as they work to improve their relations. I'm also 
committed to a just and lasting settlement of the Cyprus dispute. My 
administration fully supports the U.N. Secretary-General's efforts to 
bring peace and prosperity to all Cypriots. Our goal is an early 
resumption of the U.N. process.
    The greatest gifts of Greece, however, to this country are the 
immigrants it's sent, men and women who enrich our Nation with their 
spirit. They're the models of community and enterprise, of family, of 
education and public service. And we honor Greek independence. And as we 
honor Greek independence, I also want to honor the Greek contribution to 
our national character.
    So it's my pleasure to welcome you, Your Eminence, our distinguished 
guests, to this celebration of Greek Independence Day.
    God bless.

Note: The President spoke at 4:10 p.m. in the the Indian Treaty Room in 
the Dwight D. Eisenhower Executive Office Building. In his remarks, he 
referred to Archbishop Demetrios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church 
in America; Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Grigoris Niotis of 
Greece; Greek Ambassador to the U.S. Alexandros Philon; Cypriot 
Ambassador to the U.S. Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis; and United Nations 
Secretary-General Kofi Annan. This item was not received in time for 
publication in the appropriate issue.