INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNE — OCTOBER–DECEMBER 2011.
OPEN LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE U.S.
of Mr. Panagiotis Karafotias,
Professor of International Relations at the University of Indianapolis – Athens
Mr President,
This letter is a appeal to you from an active citizen of Greece—a genuine citizen and no private person— who graduated from two American universities, while working in many and varied jobs, from waiter at the Waldorf Astoria and special interpreter at the Court of General Affairs in New York, to important positions in both Greece and the United Nations. Since 2001 he has been Professor and since 2003 Chair of the Department of International Relations, Indianapolis University – Athens.
It's made of writer several books on international issues, as well as poetry and prose.
In addition, he served as President of the Greek Alumni of American Universities, with excellent work and activities that he himself pioneered in establishing.
He has been honored with many discrimination for his work at the United Nations and in Letters, by recognized organizations, including the Pan-Arcadian Federation of America in 1994, when he was honored in Chicago along with two U.S. Senators and the Governor of Illinois.
It is specially proud of his studies and work in the U.S., where he admired the respect for democracy, the rule of law and the principles and ideals of the United Nations.
For this reason, cannot understand —according to what was taught in American universities— the injustice which is carried out to the detriment of his homeland, the birthplace of freedom and democracy, which has made huge sacrifices during World War II and the Cold War for shared democratic ideals, including the great contribution of Greek Americans to the growth and progress of America.
His question—which is also the question of overwhelming majority of Greeks— is as follows:
On what moral, legal or democratic basis, or based on what provision of International Law or principle of the United Nations Charter, can the American government justify its anti-democratic and detrimental action for Greece to recognize the Slavic state of Skopje (FYROM) as “Macedonia”?
An action that ignores and overlooks History, betraying millions of Greeks and Greek-Americans —America's most trusted friends and allies— at a time when in the past the American administration (under Stettinius as Minister of Foreign Affairs) opposed strongly opposed Stalin and Tito's efforts to create an independent state of "Macedonia".
But even from a realistic point of view, maybe this news, artificial, multinational, unstable state to offer real and lasting benefits to the democratic world, while displaying arrogance, provocation and neo-imperialist tendencies, usurping a glorious, ancient Greek name to serve controversial plans?
Furthermore, part of Cyprus, a member state of the UN and the EU,
remains under Turkish military occupation since 1974, despite dozens of UN resolutions.
How does this serve them? true democratic goals of the U.S.?
And why then did the American administration he insisted to approve the famous Annan Plan,
Despite the fact that 76% of Cypriots ensures rejected by referendum?
In American universities we learned that the majority rule must be respected.
Isn't 76% a very significant majority;
How are the authentic democratic goals of the United States served by the continued partition of Cyprus;
Has the American administration been convinced by the “zero enemies doctrine” of the Turkish Foreign Ministers,
which is proven hypocritical, if we take into account Turkey's stance towards Cyprus,
the conflicts in the Middle East, the Kurds, the Armenians,
the expansionist aspirations in the Aegean and Thrace and the continuous violations of Greek airspace;
Regarding the dramatic economic crisis caused by irresponsible and corrupt leaders in Greece,
Couldn't the American government, through the UN and EU organizations,
to contribute to a democratic purge,
At payment of German war reparations and the way out of the impasse?
The history of America is well known, especially the struggles and sacrifices of Americans against colonialism,
As well as invaluable help that America offered to Europe during and after World War II.
What has happened since then? How have American governments they forgot their history,
allowing themselves to be carried away by the arrogance of power
and be transformed into perpetrator of neocolonialism,
tolerated, on the one hand, imperialist actions against Greece
and, on the other hand, exercising unjustified pressures in Greece to sacrifice the its vital national interests for whose benefit?
Is that it? fair and just? And does it serve the true interests of the American people;
Mister President,
if America wants to survive, grow and prosper as the a true leader of democracy and the rule of law,
and not to behave like the old colonial, imperialist states,
who are responsible for the sacrifice of millions of innocent people and were punished by the divine justice,
must first and foremost respect her own history —its democratic, anti-colonial and anti-authoritarian tradition—
and to ally with the genuine democratic forces of the world,
within the framework of the UN, which she herself contributed decisively to establishing,
with a foundation of four famous Freedoms Roosevelt,
for consolidation of peace, democracy and the rule of law throughout the world,
who is today threatened by obscurantist, fanatical and warlike forces.
Mister President,
you can show the way and make America protagonist of peace and democracy,
so that what the noble President wrote is not verified Thomas Jefferson, engraved on his monument in Washington:
"I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just and that His justice cannot sleep forever."
Accordingly, the Alexis de Tocqueville he had written that when America respects its values and ideals, progresses;
when not, the opposite happens.
Mr President,
as is known, the American democracy was founded on the timeless wisdom of the ancient Greeks,
whom American universities deeply respect and honor.
I remember, when I was studying at the University of Illinois, that the Aristotle was never mentioned by name,
but just as "He".
Even today, about Three thousand professors at American universities are of Greek origin.
In many other critical areas, the Greeks offered invaluable services in America,
contributing decisively to its security, development and progress.
You, like all American leaders, always express the your respect and love for Greece.
However, taking into account the problems facing our country,
the Greek people believe that these statements are just words.
What Greece needs is acts.
Since we believe you are really dedicated to the ideals of democracy, peace, freedom and the rule of law,
and that you can write a story for the benefit of the American people and the world,
I invite you to take the initiative and yes propose to the United Nations to declare the Greece as a “region free from conflicts and wars”
and as “global center of democracy and culture”.
(This proposal has also been approved by the Greek Writers' Society as well as from the International Watch Organization).
Your I sincerely beg, esteemed Mr. President,
hear my call, and may God enlighten you and lead you to paths wisdom and justice,
and I'm sure he will reward you and America for it!
With respect,
Panagiotis I. Karafotias
Professor and Chair of the Department of International Relations
University of Indianapolis – Athens
Author, former Head of the United Nations Office for Greece, Israel and Cyprus.
photo MIH83, https://pixabay.com
