AHI Hosts Book Presentation on “Confronting the Greek Dictatorship in the U.S.”WASHINGTON, DC—The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) hosted a book presentation on “Confronting the Greek Dictatorship in the U.S.—Years of Exile: A Personal Diary 1968-1975” written by former Brigadier General Orestis E. Vidalis on Feb. 10, 2010, at the Capital Hilton in Washington, DC. Twenty persons attended the presentation by the author’s son, Efthimios O. Vidalis, despite record-breaking blizzard conditions, including AHI Founder Gene Rossides and Professor Theodore Couloumbis, both of who participated via conference call. “We were pleased to host such an important discussion about a book that chronicles the actions of Orestis Vidalis as he advocated for the restoration of democracy in Greece here in the United States,” said Executive Director Nick Larigakis. “We especially thank those who braved the elements to be with us to discuss a turbulent time in modern Greece’s history and Vidalis’ compelling personal account.” In his opening, Vidalis stated, “My Father’s diary describes in lucid and revealing detail the policy setting during the years of the Nixon administration. American policies on the question of Greece (1968-74) were based on bureaucratic inertia, expediency and convenience resulting in American support for the despised Greek dictatorship…In short, policy stability, once more, was chosen over democracy by the Executive branch of government exclusively focused on the strategic objective of containing the Soviet bloc.” Also in his presentation (click here to read entire presentation), Vidalis commented that the work his father and others carried out in the United States was the precursor for the formulation of the Greek American lobby where AHI has played a prominent role. AHI Founder Gene Rossides offered welcome remarks, and Professor Theodore Couloumbis, vice president, Hellenic Foundation for European & Foreign Policy provided in-depth commentary. “I cannot stress enough the value of this volume as a primary source for future historians, and as a case study for students of comparative foreign policy decision-making,” said Professor Couloumbis, who in his commentary, (click here to read entire commentary), dissected and analyzed the strategies Vidalis explored and executed. The American Hellenic Institute is a non-profit Greek American think-tank and public policy center that works to strengthen relations between the United States and Greece and Cyprus, and within the Greek American community.
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For additional information, please contact C. Franciscos Economides at (202) 785-8430 or at pr@ahiworld.org. For general information about the activities of AHI, please see our Web site at https://www.ahiworld.org. |
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AHI Hosts Book Presentation on “Confronting the Greek Dictatorship in the U.S.”
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