National Issues lead the agenda of President Athens in visits to Constantinople, Jerusalem, four conventions

CHICAGO, October 16 -- Visits to the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Patriarchate in Jerusalem launch a month-long schedule of meetings on national issues and participation in one international and three regional conventions for World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) President Andrew A. Athens.

The Pontian world convention in October, and the three SAE regional conventions, all during November, follow the first regional convention that already took place in Sydney, Australia. The three are in South Africa, Germany and the U.S.A. aim to unite Hellenes within the region and to prepare on agenda on local issues in anticipation of the Olympic Games 2004.

The President's visits to Constantinople and Jerusalem are among the leading events of the upcoming trip that will take Mr. Athens in six countries and four continents.

In Constantinople, where Mr. Athens will meet with the Ecumenical the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Mr. Athens will discuss with the Ecumenical Patriarch issues of national interest raised during his recent meetings with Hellenic communities in Australia, Eastern Europe and U.S.A.

In Jerusalem, Mr. Athens will meet with Israeli officials regarding the progress of the pending recognition of Patriarch Irenaeos of Jerusalem by the Israeli government. In these meetings, Mr. Athens will emphasize also the support of the Jewish communities in U.S. and Greece for expediting a timely recognition of the Patriarch.
In Greece, SAE's president will hold several important meetings in Athens with ministers of the Greek government, officials of the Parliament and private donors of the Medical Care Initiative.

In Thessaloniki, Mr. Athens will meet with the Exporters' Association of Northern Greece Exporters (S???) and the Association of Hellenic Industries of Northern Greece (S???) about SAE's Micro-Enterprise and Trade programs.

The first of the four conventions is the 5th World Convention of Pontian Hellenism, that takes place October 26 - 28, in Thessaloniki, and aims to draw attention to the international recognition of the Pontian Genocide less than 100 years ago in Turkey. This convention will also honor Mr. Athens recognizing his contributions to the Hellenic Diaspora and to Pontians, especially the creation of the Medical initiative in Black Sea countries.

Sae's regional convention for Asia/Africa takes place November 1- 3, in Johannesburg, South Africa; for Europe November 8-10 in Frankfurt, Germany, and for the Americas November 22 - 24 in New York City.

The three regional conventions are complemented by Hellenic Cultural Weeks organized by SAE Regional Offices and aim to showcase the works of local artists, cultural groups and the Hellenic heritage.