American Hellenic Institute

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AHI to Legislators: Policy Initiative Unnecessarily Targets Greece
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Demetra Atsaloglou
July 19, 2011—No. 50 (202) 785-8430

AHI to Legislators: Policy Initiative Unnecessarily Targets Greece

WASHINGTON, DC — The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) released a July 19, 2011 letter it sent to specific members of Congress that expressed concern regarding their support of a policy initiative that urges the Obama administration “to take a taxpayer bailout of Greece through the International Monetary Fund (IMF) off the table . . .”  The letter aims to clear-up any misperception the legislators have about Greece’s economic crisis, including being clear that Greece is in fact receiving a loan from the IMF at a substantial interest rate and not a bailout.

“There are members of Congress that do not have a clear understanding about the facts regarding Greece’s economic crisis, the steps Greece has taken to overcome it, and why it is important to support Greece—a strategic partner of the United States—during this time,” said AHI President Nick Larigakis. “We felt it important to educate our legislators about the facts pertaining to what has transpired thus far and that no American taxpayer is lost or is in jeopardy. In fact, through its military expenditures, Greece has supported the American defense industry which employs many Americans.”

In addition, the letter outlines Greece’s strategic importance to, and partnership with, the United States.

Larigakis wrote, “In addition, Greece is a top contributor to the defense efforts of NATO, spending an estimated 2.2% of its GDP on defense, and is also an active participant in peacekeeping and peace-building operations conducted by international organizations, including the UN, NATO, the EU, and OSCE.”

To view AHI’s letter to the legislators, please click here. (737KB PDF)

 

The American Hellenic Institute is a non-profit Greek American 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 Demetra Atsaloglou at (202) 785-8430 or at pr@ahiworld.org. For general information about the activities of AHI, please see our website at https://www.ahiworld.org.