In his revealing interview with SofiaTimes.com, Hellenic American National Council President Ted Spyropoulos accuses the SAE of implementing the 'divide and rule policy', adding that it has excluded the Hellenic American National Council from the public dialogue that would lead to the upgrading of the institution. Mr Spyropoulos' interview is as follows:

SofiaTimes.com :

Recently you publicized your proposals for the restructuring and upgrading of the SAE institution. Have your received any answer from the competent Hellenic authorities? Did they take your proposals under consideration? Did the Special Permanent Committee on Hellenes Abroad ask you to participate as President of the Hellenic American National Council in the discussion scheduled by Deputy Foreign Minister P. Skandalakis?

T. Spyropoulos:

We have never received an invitation from SAE America or the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs to submit our proposals on the Executive Law Plan for the restructuring of SAE. Few Federations in America received the relevant invitation to participate in a dialogue or submit their proposals. And of course this initiative wherever it came from it is sad because these Federations belong to Hellenic American National Council The policy of ignoring the Organisation-umbrella of the organized omogenia and address its members proves that someone wishes to cause disunion and disorientation. This is SAEs fixed policy worldwide. However, verifying our good intentions on the SAE institution, we submitted once more our proposals and publicized them.

Up to now we have received no answer. However, it is sad when without journalistic research, officials statements that they have entered the finishing stretch of a long course that settles abeyances and secures SAEs more effective operation are announced and published and a draft bill is publicized without the participation of the omogenia in any relevant discussion. However, we hope that the Deputy Foreign Minister P. Skandalakis will keep his word given before the Hellenic Parliament members that all expatriate Hellene organizations will participate in the preparation of the relevant law. We expect the Special Permanent Committee on Hellenes Abroad to invite us. The political leadership has promised to do so. I have to underline that our proposals have remained fixed for 12 years that is since the representatives of expatriate Hellene organizations all over the world began a discussion for the creation of world coordinating committee of Hellenism with the representatives of the Hellenic state. Our proposals that are approved at the Hellenic American National Council meetings with relevant resolutions by its members, take under consideration the particularities of Hellenism in various parts of the planet.

Hellene Americans for example are well to do. However, in other areas expatriate Hellenes need financial support and this must be taken under consideration. Also, the expatriate Hellenes needs in America differ from those of expatriate Hellenes living elsewhere.

That is why we are proposing the creation of seven regional National Councils: Hellenic-American, Hellenic-American, Hellenic-South American, Hellenic-African, Hellenic-West European, Hellenic-East European and Asian and finally Hellenic-Australian.

This proposal accords fully with the 1989 and 1995 Presidential Decrees, article 17, paragraph 2 for the representation of Hellenism all over the world through third-degree organizations. This structure creates the conditions for unity and secures the democratic representation of expatriate Hellenes all over the world. All representatives of Hellenism, irrelevant of where and how many they are they must be listened to.

The National Council is the product of the Omogenia itself

SofiaTimes.com: In the past, government officials in Hellas described the Hellenic American National Council 'the opposition of SAE'  Why did this happen?

T. Spyropoulos: The truth on this issue is bitter. The Hellenic-American National Council supported the creation of the SAE when the preliminary discussions about the institution took place. There are relevant documents that prove that for the last 12 years. It is true that many members of the Hellenic American National Council had been described as New Democracy party sympathizers. Thus, certain PASOK party cadres that had shared the same interests with leading officials of the omogenia as well as personal interests launched a mud slinging campaign against the Hellenic American National Council and its members. Additionally, the Hellenic Press was ordered never to present our views and not to cooperate with our representatives. A relevant research can prove that. You will discover that with the exception of some expatriate Hellene Media, the Hellenic Media have not referred to the Hellenic American National Council. On the contrary, there are many references to the SAE leadership and mainly-if not only- to its leaders in America. Additionally, the same officials approached some Hellenic American National Council officials, promising them posts within the SAE so as to split and weaken our organization. At the same time, rumors were spread that we are the 'opposition' of the SAE. This is sad. The Hellenic American National Council has risen within the base of the omogenia, its members are elected through democratic procedure and the organization operates with transparency and consistency. The organization has held on and will continue to hold on.

The indifference and apathy of the omogenia have been supported systematically

 SofiaTimes.com: It is widely heard that during the elections for a new SAE Presidium in its first meeting, a strong state official in the presence of other officials of the Hellenic American National Council congratulated you for having been elected president. It has also been said that a strong leading member of the omogenia intervened and by the time you reached the conference hall Mr Andrew Athens election was announced. What did really happen? Were the results changed?

T. Spyropoulos: What happened belongs to the past. However, I have to say that some Hellenic televised media covered what happened, but then relevant order was given and no reference was made to the Hellenic American National Council. The fact is that not only the Hellenic American National Council, but also Hellenism all over the world believed in the creation of the SAE institution. Everyone must at last understand that the expatriate Hellenes of America have nothing to ask from their homeland. Hellene Americans are prospering and are not in need of leading positions or aid from Hellas. Also they do not ask for recognition. The omogenia always wished to help Hellas and our brothers, who are in need in other parts of the planet. That is why we believed in world advisory organ for the Hellenic State. That meant that the various regions would inform the Hellenic state about the needs of Hellenism in various parts of the world. If one reads history, one can see that Hellas depended on Hellenism all over the world. Hellenism served as spiritual labs. On the one hand they spread the Hellenic civilization and values creating phil-Hellenes and on the other hand they helped Hellas spiritually and materially. At last, let us take under consideration and respect these ancient Hellenic Centres. Let us utilize them. Let us create communication bridges. Unfortunately, its ten-year course belied our hopes. Not only no SAE goal has been achieved, but the SAE itself through its leadership contributed to the split of the omogenia, gave it a party spirit and disappointed our youth. It ignored altogether the Hellenic centres in many regions: There is Hellenism in Jordan, Lebanon, Southern Italy, Imvros, Tenedos, Alaska, India and countries we cannot imagine... We must record and recognize this forgotten Hellenism, even the one family of Hellenic descent living in Cuba. The Hellenes of Northern Epirus and the 2,000 Hellenes of Constantinople must be represented in a world Organisation for Hellenism. We must find them all and help them. Unfortunately, through the disappointment it has caused it contributed to the establishment of indifference and apathy to Hellenism all over the world. The SAE has failed. Members of the Presidium have admitted it. So has the present government that is attempting to restructure it. The heads of its network have also admitted it. The Presidium members should have resigned a long time ago. Ten years were wasted. Let the Presidium resign now. Then it will really prove its good intentions. Then its members can run for the post of president if leadership is what they wish.

 SofiaTimes.com: Can you please elaborate on the split issue to which the SAE is responsible for? T. Spyropoulos: It seems that the 'divide and rule' policy served the interests of some. Instead of embracing the existing organised omogenia and respect its structures, representatives and work, the SAE split Hellenism with its policy. Instead of cooperating with third degree organisations it began a jumped-up communication with federations, bodies and associations. That is it completely ignored its structure. It attracted certain of their members and tried to build networks of businessmen, youth, scientists, women, journalists, etc. This resulted in the weakening of the expatriate Hellenes organisations, without however managing to rally its members to the networks. The same thing happened in Australian. Ask Hellenism there. Did it manage to rally the youth? Instead it disappointed it. Most of the youth that participated in the SAE world meetings stated that the only thing they gained was paid vacations in Thessaloniki. The expatriate Hellenes Press has recorded these statements. The same thing occurred with the expatriate Hellene journalists. Did this SAE section ever function? Were their requests ever taken under consideration? Were they given an opportunity to intervene? Were they ever asked to give their opinion on the restructuring of the SAE?

'The Omogenia does not sell as an issue in Hellas

 SofiaTimes.com: What is your opinion about the Expatriate Hellenes Press? T. Spyropoulos: The Omogenia Press fulfils a substantial function that the Hellenic Press has never fulfilled. You must have notices that the omogenia 'does not sell' as an issue. Our fellow citizens are not aware of the number of Hellenes living abroad. They ignore their contribution, work, intentions and needs. The Omogenia Press and the communication its representatives develop worldwide help Hellenes worldwide to communicate. Through the Press we are informed on the existence of Hellenic communities and their activities. The SAE and the Hellenic State should have done this search. The Hellenic State should have understood the role of the Omogenia Press and the fact that they play the role of ambassadors abroad and the bond with Press of the country we live in. The members of the Hellenic American National Council recognize and support the Omogenia Press. As we have already announced, we shall stage an Omogenia Press & Book exhibition in the following months, increasing the awareness of expatriate Hellene journalists and authors, the development of relations and cooperation between the Omogenia and Hellenic Media. We shall also invite the Hellenic State to recognize and support the Omogenia Press with actions and not just with wishes.

SofiaTimes.com: During the last years, the Hellenic American National Council has been active mainly with the promotion of Hellenic speaking Education. You also announced the establishment of a 'US Regional Council of Hellenic Education to Promote the Teaching of the Greek Language, History and Culture (US RCHE) and a Hellenic Education Fund (HEF) to provide financial support to US RCHE'. In what phase is this venture and which personalities of the American Community will serve its objectives?

T. Spyropoulos The Education of Hellenes has always signaled developments of ecumenical culture. The Hellenic state must boost the Hellenic speaking schools all over the world. We have so many non-appointed teachers. It has already helped ours schools in America. Unfortunately, the SAE has not dealt with this important issue. I repeat that the Hellenic Education is not only collateral of Hellenes but also of humanity. For this reason the promotion of Hellenic speaking Education remains for the Hellenic American National Council a priority. We have just concluded the legal procedure for the establishment of the Foundation. Next month, the members of the Central Committee that assumed the relevant initiative will be called to approve its charter. Distinguished businessmen, politicians and Academics of America will participate in the Board of D irectors. Next month, we shall assume the initiative to let the voice of Hellene educators in America is heard. Without their efforts and time at Hellenic speaking and American schools with Hellenic programmes, the Hellenic language would have faded away.

SofiaTimes.com: When you began your efforts to promote Hellenic speaking education, you asked for all expatriate Hellene organizations cooperation. Was there any response and who responded to your initiative?

T. Spyropoulos: The most important thing is that the base of the Omogenia that is teachers, parents, academics, phil-Hellene Americans and our youth responded. We invited the Archbishopric, AHEPA, the SAE, the Hellenic and American State and Educating Foundations, as well as all organizations and bodies of the Omogenia. We also sent them personal letters and invited them through the Press. Our invitations stand until today. The issue of Education is very serious. It concerns us all. It concerns the future of Hellenism in the U.S. No selfishness and personal ambitions or antagonism are allowed. We call all Hellenes living abroad to cooperate with us. We are willing to create programmes of exchange of students promoting vocational compilation or to support programmes that already exist. SofiaTimes.com: The Hellenic American National Council was the first organization of the omogenia to support the institution of charter schools. In the beginning, the other expatriate Hellene organizations in the U.S. were negative. However, recently AHEPA issued a relevant announcement in support of the institution. T. Spyropoulos: Yes, it is true that the Hellenic American National Council members recognized the importance of this institution. Also, thanks to the first pan-American Education Symposium organised by the Hellenic American National Council in New York in 2003 and with the aid of the Press of the Omogenia, the expatriate Hellenes were informed about this unique opportunity offered to the expatriate Hellenes of America. There were many reactions and objections by the Church and the SAE, while AHEPA did not take a stand. At first it supported the institution when the Education Ministry sent teachers from Hellas. Then gradually, the Hellenic American church began to accept and cooperate on this issue. Additionally, first the SAE and only recently AHEPA with relevant announcements finally supported the establishment of Charter Schools, a development that really satisfies us. Hellenism of America: A non-utilized giant SofiaTimes.com: Who do you think is to blame for the lack of cooperation and coordination of the various expatriate Hellene organizations in America? What must be done? T. Spyropoulos: In the past, the Hellenic government and the SAE, as well as specific bodies of the omogenia weakened and split the omogenia, instead of playing a uniting and coordinating role. The Hellenic State must first conceive the strength of unity and then play a coordinating role. I must point out that expatriate Hellenes all over the world is more impulsive and is governed by intense emotional voluntarism in comparison to our homeland. Therefore, our homeland must curb this impulsiveness and utilize this emotional voluntarism. Then, we expatriate Hellenes must do our self criticism and understand that more things unite us than divide us. I cannot see why the Church, the organisations and bodies of the omogenia cannot cooperate. What can be dividing us? Our visions and objectives are theoretically at least the same. Let us then re-examine the benefits and damage caused by the lack of cooperation. The Hellenic American National Council has repeatedly called on the expatriate Hellenes living in America and elsewhere for cooperation. And we shall do so again, giving incentives to our youth to take initiatives. Also, the omogenia must understand its strength. It must be courageous to speak about all the problems that concern it. It must refer to the SAE, the lack of communication with the Hellenic State and the lack of state programmes for Hellenism. It should be afraid of no-one.

SofiaTimes.com: Do you think that the Hellenic State utilizes the potential of the Hellenic American Community?

T. Spyropoulos: Unfortunately, not at all. Our lobby, businessmen, politicians of Hellenic origin and our scientists remain unutilized. Again, the feasts and cocktail parties of the SAE have disappointed many of them. As a nationality, the expatriate Hellenes living in America come first in terms of educational level and second in terms of economic strength in the U.S. It holds top positions in the American Business Market, Politics, while hundreds of our professors teach at American Universities. I hope that the present Hellenic leadership will realize the value of this Hellenic American potential and take the advantage of the marvelous opportunity the fresh phil-Hellenism offers in America. Hellenic American relations are in a very good level and the success of the ATHENS 2004 Olympic Games has boosted the image of Hellas. If one also takes under consideration the acceptance of cultural diversity of national groups in the American Society and its promotion as cultural wealth of the American social mosaic, one will realize the favorable opportunity for Hellenism that has the advantage of its cultural heritage in comparison to others. However, I will reiterate that in order for the climate of trust to be restored between the omogenia and the Hellenic state, seriousness, vision, a programme and technocrats are required. The Hellenic State should state clearly what it requires from the expatriate Hellenes of America. At last, it will have to communicate with the really organised omogenia. Wishes and adulations are not enough when they need us. For example, when they wish to be invited at our parades, they manage to find our phone numbers! I repeat that an institutionalized, systematic and regular dialogue with the Hellenic State is required. I wonder what the thing that prevents this dialogue is. If the present government wishes sincerely to communicate with the expatriate Hellenes all over the world, then it should invite us for a dialogue. Then, the Hellenic government will do its miracle.

SofiaTimes.com: You referred to the Hellenic American lobby. Many question its effectiveness..

T. Spyropoulos: You are striking an issue of utmost importance for Hellas. Unfortunately, I would say that the lobby too has been turned to an issue of demagogy. Although America is a super power, the Hellenic lobby should be boosted worldwide. Coordination is needed by each one of us from where he is living in order to promote our national issues. Scrappy actions with resolutions and protests are not effective. If all organizations and personalities all over the world cooperated and were promptly briefed by Hellas on the positions it promotes, then believe me our national issues would have been promoted for our benefit. Imagine only how we could coordinate our efforts at universities of every country to promote material concerning the historical truth of claims of neighboring countries to Hellas. We could even have achieved the recognition of the genocide of Hellenism and we could have rebutted effectively the claims that were groundless in terms of history. In general we would exert strong and effective pressure to the international community about our issues. However, a joint and long term strategy is required.

SofiaTimes.com: In general you are respected by expatriate Hellene officials and are a low profile person. You do not usually give interviews; you love Hellenism and have offered a lot to it. In other words, you are a personality that is accepted by the majority of the Omogenia in America and worldwide. Will you stand for President in the next SAE elections if you are satisfied with its restructuring and upgrading?

T. Spyropoulos: I repeat that what most expatriate Hellenes and I personally wish is not to serve our egomania or be rewarded through the posts we shall acquire but to contribute to world Hellenism. It is our holy obligation because of our heavy cultural heritage. Leaderships are elected democratically by the people, who participate in this process. I know that Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis is personally interested in expatriate Hellenes and that he will personally deal with this issue. Therefore, I wish the present governments intentions and promises regarding the upgrading and restructuring of the SAE were sincere. Then, we shall all be willing to contribute to its effective operation when asked to do so. We all wish and can contribute to the dream of a strong Hellas and strong united Hellenism worldwide. We must create the conditions of cooperation and coordination for expatriate Hellenes all over the world. As I have said in the past, Hellenism as an ideology is anthropocentric, global and diachronic. The world society needs him. Additionally, we live in an era during which phil-Hellenism is rising again. Let us utilize it for the benefit of humanity. Hellene Americans are prospering and neither wish to get leading positions nor be helped by Hellas. They also do not wish their recognition. The vision of the omogenia has always been to help Hellas and our brothers living in other parts of the planet. That is why we believed in the world counseling body for the Hellenic State. Each section of the body should record the needs of the expatriate Hellenes they were representing and make proposals to the Hellenic state. If one goes through history, one will see that our homeland depended on the living Hellenic Centres all over the world. These Centres functioned as spiritual labs. They promoted the Hellenic culture and values, creating phil-Hellenes and at the same time helped Hellas spiritually and financially. Let us consider these ancient and diachronic Hellenic Centres. At last, let us respect them and give them the value and attention they deserve. Let us utilize them.