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Embassy Greeting, Athens, 7/19/91
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Embassy Greeting, Athens, 7/19/91
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This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
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Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin:
Speechwriting, White House Office of
Series:
Speech File Backup Files
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Chron File, 1989-1993
OA/ID Number:
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13763-012
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Embassy Greeting, Athens, 7/19/91
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2
GREECE
Embassy Athens Greeting
Nick Burns, NSC- - x6849
John Long, State- 647-6114
John Klekas, Embassy , Political Division x390
call through Signal
(Hinchliffe/Blymire)
July 2, 1991
3 p.m.
EMBASSY Draft One
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: U.S. EMBASSY GREETINGS
July 20, 1991
Athens, Greece
*
Thank you all for that warm reception. I want to give an
equally warm thanks to Mike and Estelle: marvelous hosts. Mike's
not only a good friend, he's a gifted and hard-working Ambassa-
dor. I couldn't hope to have a finer American to serve me here.
*
You and the whole staff have done a superb job in all
these arrangements. Your admin officer -- are you still speaking
to me? You deserve a special thanks -- you bear a dispropor-
tionate share of the load. So many others: the political coun-
selor and staff; communications people; military; Greek citizens
working here. I'm sympathetic, since I've been in your shoes.
When I was Ambassador in China we survived one visit from the
President of the United States -- and two from Henry Kissinger.
You're talking to a guy who knows what you've been through here.
*
To this whole team -- and it really is a team -- thank
you for your extra workload and your welcome, and for making sure
everything's run so smoothly. The only thing I can say is: you
can breathe easy soon, because I promise to leave on schedule.
*
(INSIDE STORY TO COME) Being here in Athens, I now know
some of the power summoned up in Pericles' Funeral Oration, which
reminds us it was "by courage, sense of duty, and a keen feeling
of honour in action that men were enabled to win" all the
greatness of this proud, ancient city.
*
You deserve thanks from the country you represent. We
2
have a unique relationship with Greece -- a bond based on our
shared values of democracy and liberty. Today and yesterday, I
have seen first-hand how your special kind of diplomacy
celebrates our country's friendship.
*
This celebration is especially sweet, because it's been a
harrowing year. Everyone representing our country throughout the
world has been through times of hard work and hard decisions. But
you persevered and pulled together with your colleagues abroad
and at home in support of what we were standing for in the Gulf.
Your efforts, and your successful liaison with the Greek govern-
ment, were important to our cause. When war came, I know that
this embassy -- the whole American community -- faced a serious
terrorist threat. I know you staffed a command post around the
clock. You didn't blink. It was a tremendous performance. When
you see the victory parades in America -- and they are
extraordinary celebrations of the American spirit -- know that
they are also paying tribute to you. For you manned your post
and stood for our values and stayed fast and firm and true.
*
I'll simply end where I began, by thanking you -- all of
you, whatever duty you have in this Embassy -- for your service
and loyalty to the greatest, freest, most wonderful country on
the face of the Earth. Thank you, and God bless you all.
#
#
#
#
671-6344
FACT CHECK COPY
John K. home#
(Hinchliffe/Blymire)
TAFFED
July 10, 1991 1 p.m.
EMBASSY. TS Draft Two
10 el2: 49
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: U.S. EMBASSY GREETINGS
July 20, 1991
Athens, Greece
Thank you all for that welcome. I want to give an equally
Ambassador and Mrs. Sotirhos
warm thanks to Mike and Estelle: marvelous hosts. Mike's not
only a good friend, he's a gifted and hard-working Ambassador.
You and the whole staff have done a superb job in all
counselor
these arrangements. Your admin officer -- are you still speaking
to me? You deserve a special thanks -- you bear a dispropor-
tyour staff
John
Klekas
motor pool
tionate share of the load. So many others: the political coun
selor and staff; communications people; military; Greek citizens
working here; even the peacocks and pheasants whose routine I'm
recurity
regional Lofficers
sure we ve disrupted.
*
I appreciate your efforts because I've been in your
shoes. When I was Ambassador in to China we survived one + visit tt from
looking
the President of the + + TTTT
United States -- and two from Henry
Forward
Kissinger. You're talking to a guy who knows what you've been
through.
*
To this whole team -- it really is a team -- thank you
for your extra work and your welcome, and for making sure
everything has run so smoothly. The only thing I can say is:
you can breathe easy soon, because I promise to leave on
schedule.
*
And I do apologize for bringing you here not only at this
unheard-of early hour -- but on a Saturday, no less. 11 Well,
maybe this will set a routine for workouts in your new gym.
2
Being here in Athens, I now know some of the power
summoned up in Pericles' Funeral Oration, which reminds us it was
"by courage, sense of duty, and a keen feeling of honor in action
that men were enabled to win" all the greatness of this great,
ancient city.
You deserve thanks from the country you represent. We
have a unique relationship with Greece -- a bond based on our
shared values of democracy and liberty. Here, I have seen first-
hand how your diplomatic efforts build upon those ancient ties.
This celebration is especially sweet, because it's been a
harrowing year. Everyone representing our country throughout the
world has been through times of hard work and hard decisions. But
you persevered and pulled together with your colleagues abroad
and at home in support of what we were standing for in the Gulf.
Your efforts, and your successful liaison with the Greek
government, were important to our cause. When war came, I know
that this embassy, the whole American community, facéd XXX a serious
terrorist threat. X I XXX know you X staffed X a X command X post X around +x the John klekas
clock. You didn't blink. It was a tremendous performance.
When you see the victory parades in America -- and they
are extraordinary celebrations of the American spirit -- know
that they are also paying tribute to you. For you manned your
post and stood for our values and stayed fast and firm and true.
I'll simply end where I began, by thanking you -- all of
you, whatever duty you have in this Embassy -- for your service
and loyalty to the greatest, freest, most wonderful country on
3
the face of the Earth. Thank you, and God bless you all.
# # # #
person visit
Nixon 1972
KRSS - 1971-ish
1975
toprepare for
Ford app. Bush to head
Fird's visit
the us Mission to commun.
China
Ford - 1975
1974
Bush arr.
Looking Forward
2
KBS- I 1975
Pericles Funeral
Oration
398
THUCYDIDES
[Book II
to cover a man's other imperfections; since the
good action has blotted out the bad, and his
with no tablet to preserve it, except that of the
merit as a citizen more than outweighed his
heart. These take as your model and, judging
demerits as an individual. But none of these
happiness to be the fruit of freedom and free-
allowed either wealth with its prospect of
dom of valour, never decline the dangers of
war. For it is not the miserable that would
future enjoyment to unnerve his spirit, or
most justly be unsparing of their lives; these
poverty with its hope of a day of freedom and
have nothing to hope for: it is rather they to
riches to tempt him to shrink from danger.
whom continued life may bring reverses as yet
No, holding that vengeance upon their ene-
unknown, and to whom a fall, if it came,
mies was more to be desired than any personal
would be most tremendous in its consequences.
blessings, and reckoning this to be the most
And surely, to a man of spirit, the degradation
glorious of hazards, they joyfully determined
of cowardice must be immeasurably more
to accept the risk, to make sure of their ven-
grievous than the unfelt death which strikes
geance, and to let their wishes wait; and while
him in the midst of his strength and patriot
committing to hope the uncertainty of final
ism!
success, in the business before them they
[44] "Comfort, therefore, not condolence,
thought fit to act boldly and trust in them-
is what I have to offer to the parents of the
selves. Thus choosing to die resisting, rather
dead who may be here. Numberless are. the
than to live submitting, they fled only from
chances to which, as they know, the life of
dishonour, but met danger face to face, and
man is subject; but fortunate indeed are they
after one brief moment, while at the summit
who draw for their lot a death so glorious as
of their fortune, escaped, not from their fear,
that which has caused your mourning, and to
but from their glory.
whom life has been so exactly measured as
[43] "So died these men as became Athe-
to terminate in the happiness in which it has
nians. You, their survivors, must determine to
been passed. Still I know that this is a hard
have as unfaltering a resolution in the field,
saying, especially when those are in question
though you may pray that it may have a hap-
of whom you will constantly be reminded by
pier issue. And not contented with ideas de-
seeing in the homes of others blessings of which
rived only from words of the advantages which
once you also boasted: for grief is felt not so
are bound up with the defence of your country,
much for the want of what we have never
though these would furnish a valuable text to
known, as for the loss of that to which we
a speaker even before an audience so alive to
have been long accustomed. Yet you who are
them as the present, you must yourselves real-
still of an age to beget children must bear up
ize the power of Athens, and feed your eyes
in the hope of having others in their stead; not
upon her from day to day, till love of her fills
only will they help you to forget those whom
your hearts; and then, when all her greatness
you have lost, but will be to the state at once a
shall break upon you, you must reflect that it
reinforcement and a security; for never can a
was by courage, sense of duty, and a keen feel-
fair or just policy be expected of the citizen
ing of honour in action that men were enabled
who does not, like his fellows, bring to the
to win all this, and that no personal failure in
decision the interests and apprehensions of a
an enterprise could make them consent to
father. While those of you who have passed
deprive their country of their valour, but they
your prime must congratulate yourselves with
laid it at her feet as the most glorious contribu-
the thought that the best part of your life was
tion that they could offer. For this offering of
fortunate, and that the brief span that remains
their lives made in common by them all they
will be cheered by the fame of the departed.
each of them individually received that re-
For it is only the love of honour that never
nown which never grows old, and for a sepul-
grows old; and honour it is, not gain, as some
chre, not so much that in which their bones
would have it, that rejoices the heart of age
have been deposited, but that noblest of shrines
and helplessness.
wherein their glory is laid up to be eternally
[45] "Turning to the sons or brothers of the
remembered upon every occasion on which
dead, I see an arduous struggle before you.
deed or story shall call for its commemoration.
When a man is gone, all are wont to praise
For heroes have the whole earth for their
him, and should your merit be ever so tran-
tomb; and in lands far from their own, where
scendent, you will still find it difficult not
the column with its epitaph declares it, there
merely to overtake, but even to approach their
is enshrined in every breast a record unwritten
renown. The living have envy to contend with,
-mitsota his met U B in DC lat yen(Jue)
- 15tcomen qa. in 10yru - has made rebecty
than GB
fords the ul DC a corrtint the proper pats
been pranch
- permane & darly esting they gene ingley
1 vitates poler Emation & soude - -& & the light - the grate of life 14
intries of
Relecte letteries
- indentuting - the trugedin, had the
blue of Sea Essy-
wrings hand expture from tough tend & sea -
daysty pls pleys
- heyard not -
somet camely being Green culture
George
on should ratin, how 41 lazing -
Seferis
"one payle again to ouh the
people - rane natural name -
(Nchdles 1
- muerfu - pend of planed truty
1963
- largety & faily - pains on of value
prints of honor -
imputing of educate
a egation sing /
-fley God, Fredent cons"
Gene toty plan in New
REMARKS
U.S. EMBASSY ATHENS, JULY 20
HAVING BEEN AN AMBASSADOR MYSELF, I KNOW THAT I HAVE NOT ONLY
MIKE TO THANK FOR THE FLAWLESS EXECUTION OF THE SCHEDULE HERE,
BUT EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. MANY OF YOU PERSONALLY WORKED
ON SOME ASPECT OF THIS VISIT. SOME OF YOU STOOD AT THE SIDE OF
THOSE WHO DID AND OFFERED SUPPORT AND UNDERSTANDING FOR THE
LATE NIGHTS AND LONG HOURS. YOU ALL HAVE MY APPRECIATION FOR A
JOB WELL DONE.
I WANT TO ADD THAT MY THANKS NATURALLY INCLUDE THE EFFORTS OF
THE FOREIGN SERVICE NATIONAL EMPLOYEES IN ATHENS, WHOSE UNIQUE
TALENTS AND SKILLS HAVE BEEN ESSENTIAL TO THE RUNNING OF THIS
EMBASSY.
WE HAVE A SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GREECE. MUCH OF IT GOES ON
IN PURELY PRIVATE CHANNELS -- BUSINESSMEN, RELATIVES,
PROFESSORS AND OTHERS TRAVELING BACK AND FORTH. BUT DIPLOMACY
SHAPES ALL THIS, DIPLOMACY SHELTERS IT, AND TODAY AND
YESTERDAY, IN ANY WHIRLWIND TOUR OF CRETE AND ATHENS, I CAN
TESTIFY THAT DIPLOMACY CELEBRATES OUR SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP.
THIS CELEBRATION IS ESPECIALLY SWEET, BECAUSE IT'S BEEN A
HARROWING YEAR. I'M THINKING BACK TO LAST AUGUST, THE INVASION
OF KUWAIT AND THE MONTHS LEADING UP TO WAR. THESE WERE TIMES
FOR HARD WORK AND HARD DECISIONS IN MANY PLACES, INCLUDING
-2-
WASHINGTON. BUT YOU PERSEVERED AND PULLED TOGETHER WITH YOUR
COLLEAGUES ABROAD AND AT HOME IN SUPPORT OF OUR MILITARY
SERVICES. I KNOW YOU SHARED THE PRIDE I FELT WHEN I WATCHED
THE VICTORY PARADES IN AMERICA. JUST REMEMBER: YOUR EFFORTS,
AND SUCCESSFUL LIAISON WITH THE GREEK GOVERNMENT, WERE
IMPORTANT TO OUR CAUSE. WHEN WAR CAME, I KNOW THIS EMBASSY --
THE WHOLE AMERICAN COMMUNITY -- FACED A SERIOUS TERRORIST
THREAT. I KNOW YOU STAFFED A COMMAND POST AROUND THE CLOCK.
YOU DIDN'T FLINCH OR COMPLAIN. IT WAS A TREMENDOUS
PERFORMANCE.
LET ME JUST CLOSE WITH A WORD OF SPECIAL THANKS AND ADMIRATION
FOR MIKE SOTIRHOS. HE'S A GOOD FRIEND AS WELL AS A GIFTED AND
HARD-WORKING AMBASSADOR, AND I CAN TELL YOU FROM PERSONAL
EXPERIENCE IN HIS HOME, HE AND ESTELLE ARE MARVELOUS HOSTS. I
COULDN'T HOPE TO HAVE A BETTER OR A FINER AMERICAN TO SERVE ME
HERE -- AND so: GOD BLESS YOU ALL, GOD BLESS AMERICA AND GOD
BLESS GREECE.
JUL-10-91 WED 14:46
AMERICAN EMBASSY ATHENS
FAX NO. 6463450
P.01
American Embassy
ATHENS
91
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE
EM
INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
TELEFAX COVER PAGE
FAX Number (30)-(1)- 646-3450
For:
CAROL BLYMIRE
Speechwriter, Office of the President
FAX No. (202) 456-6218
From:
John KLEKAS, Political Officer, AmEmbassy Athens
Date:
Time:
NUMBER OF PAGES INCLUDING COVER SHEET:
3
If you did not receive this number of pages please call the above
number immediately.
REMARKS:
reply to request from Ms. Blymire
JUL-10-91 WED 14:46
AMERICAN EMBASSY ATHENS
FAX NO. 6463450
P.02
Embassy of the United States of America
UNCLASSIFIED
MEMORANDUM
Athens
July 9, 1991
TO:
Carol BLYMIRE, Speechwriter, The White House
FROM:
John KLEKAS, Political Officer, AmEmbassy Athens
SUBJECT: Notes for the President's Remarks to Embassy
Employees
Ref: Blymire/Klekas telephone call 7/9/91
President Bush is currently scheduled to speak to American
and Greek employees early Saturday morning, July 20, at the
residence of Ambassador Sotirhos.
NOTES:
--The President may wish to remind everyone that he was an
ambassador himself and knows first hand about the work and
dedication of American and host country national (FSN)
employees of U.S. embassies.
--Greece is known for its nocturnal traditions (late dining,
etc.) ; the President may wish to joke about the relatively
early hour for gathering on a Saturday.
--The U.S. Mission in Greece has a large number of American
and Foreign Service National (FSN) employees and is
comprised of eight USG agencies (e.g., Agriculture, Drug
Enforcement Agency, Defense Dept., and Commerce, along with
our usual diplomatic agencies). There is a Consulate
General in Thessaloniki, one VOA relay station in northern
Greece and another on the island of Rhodes.
JUL-10-91 WED 14:47
AMERICAN EMBASSY ATHENS
FAX NO. 6463450
P.03
-2-
--There are 17,000 American and Greek citizens retired in
Greece who receive U.S. Federal Benefits administered from
the embassy in Athens. Our consular services section
receives approximately 54,000 visa applications per year.
--Greece began its struggle for independence in 1821; the
U.S. established regular diplomatic relations with Greece in
1868. There have been thirty-four American Ambassadors to
relations. Greece over the years since we established diplomatic
--The embassy building (Chancery) was completed on July 4,
1961, having been under construction for two-and-one-half
years by 350 Greek engineers, craftsmen and workmen. All of
the extensive marble used, along with most of the other
material, is from Greece.
--The Embassy Employees Welfare and Recreation Association
is constructing a well-equipped gymnasium which is scheduled
to open around the period of the President's visit to Athens.
7
--A Greek monastory has donated Lwo peacocks and two
pheasants now housed in a bird cage in the Chancery
compound; the President may wish to joke that this is the
7
only embassy he knows of that has such birds as mascots.
--In recent months there were two marriages between American
diplomats and Greek FSN employees; such American/Greek
marriages have occurred over the long history of the
American diplomatic mission to Greece. There are also a
number of Greek-Americans-- addition to Ambassador
Sotirhos--assigned to this mission. The American staff
includes a number of persons having such varied educational
backgrounds as anthropology, archaeology and classical
studies specializing in Greece.