S O C V ΓΡΑΦΕΙ ΤΗΝ ΙΣΤΟΡΙΑ Bringing the news W ΤΟΥ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΣΜΟΥ to generations of E ΑΠΟ ΤΟ 1915 The National Herald Greek Americans N c v A wEEkly GrEEk AmEriCAN PuBliCATiON www.thenationalherald.com VOL. 14, ISSUE 728 September 24-30, 2011 $1.50 Tradition & Innovation More Draconian Measures For The Greeks At AHEPA – Interview Analysts Point To Possible Default Of With Grossomanides The Country

By Constantine S. Sirigos the largest organization in the ATHENS – Even as a ratings TNH Staff Writer Greek American Community agency and economic analysts during a visit to the headquar - predicted imminent default for NEW YORK – Early lessons are ters of The National Herald ac - Greece, Prime Minister George the most important. Chance companied by the Order’s Exec - Papandreou unveiled a new set matters also. Dr. John Grosso - utive Director, Basil Mossaides. of Draconian austerity measures manides, Jr. is the new Supreme Supplementing the Order’s demanded by international in - President of the Order of new message that they will re - vestors as a condition of getting AHEPA. He learned a lot from cruit and promote younger an $11 billion loan installment his father, John Sr. about com - members, he looks forward to in October to prevent the coun - munity service and leadership, working with the Sons of Peri - try from going broke and being but most importantly, when the cles – one of the AHEPA family’s unable to pay its workers and new Supreme President decided two youth organizations along pensioners. The harsh new tac - to become more active in the or - with the Maids of Athena - the tics came after the government ganization after finishing col - Order’s “farm system”, to help repeatedly denied them, or lege, he picked Norwich Chapter them continue their outstanding prospects of a default that could 110 – The Rose of New England recent success. Grossomanides send shock waves through the – and found that, unlike many told TNH that in the past 12-18 Eurozone, the 17 countries that Greek American community or - months the Sons have tripled use the euro as a currency. ganizations that are now strug - their membership, but he is also For Greeks who’ve been tak - gling to appeal to the commu - excited about the community ing to the streets in protests and nity’s youth, his youthful energy service projects the Sons have riots over the last 18 months to and ideas were not only wel - undertaken, which furthers fight the first round of austerity come, they were rewarded. AHEPA’s goal of giving back to measures, the news was even “I came from a chapter that the community, and deepens grimmer: Papandreou said there really embraced young people the commitment of its youth. would be new tax hikes, pension and wanted them to get in - In addition to the permanent AP PHOTO/PETrOS GiANNAkOuriS cuts, the laying off and possible volved.” He said he was about philanthropic ventures for Protesters from a communist-backed union chant slogans in an anti-austerity protest in central eventual firing of at least 30,000 24 when he was chapter secre - which the APEPA is renowned – Athens, with several thousand people outside the Greek Parliament, Wednesday, Sept. 21. Greece workers and as many as tary and the president was 27. raising money for the treatment will suspend more civil servants than originally planned and impose new pension cuts as part of 100,000 over the next four He said Chapter 110 continues and cure of Cooleys Anemia and more austerity measures, the government said Wednesday, as it tried to persuade international years. But after an emergency that approach to this day, for the scholarships awarded by creditors to continue bailout payments needed to avoid a chaotic default. session with his Cabinet, there adding “it’s good that we con - the AHEPA Education Founda - were sparse details on other as - tinue to try to promote them in - tion, the Supreme Presidents pects of a plan to right Greece, stead of trying to stifle them,” undertake initiatives that last and no mention of why the gov - an attitude he brings to the na - for about a year, encouraging ernment has failed to go after tional level, following in the suc - chapters to collect donations for Mary Dimakis, 108, Trusts in God major tax evaders costing the cessful footsteps of his immedi - other important causes such as country nearly $40 billion a ate predecessors such as Team USA, which is dedicated year. Papandreou faces staunch Nicholas Karacostas. to giving scholarships to chil - By Theo Karantsalis Dimakis has caught the at - Jesus was baptized," says Di - opposition from labor unions, More and more of the others dren of people serving the Special to The National Herald tention of UCLA gerontologist makis, who moved from Turkey workers, pensioners and even organization have taken note armed forces, and its current Dr. Steven Coles, who tracks to New York and then Miami within his party as well as the that AHEPA has rejuvenated it - one, a special program for the MIAMI- Mary Dimakis, of Mi - "super-centenarians.” more than 90 years ago. prospect of new demonstrations self and are impressed with the children of armed forces mem - ami, Fla., will be 108 in Sep - "We normally start tracking Dimakis was a Miami resi - and riots while a series of strikes new AHEPA model of reaching bers through the USO. tember. She is the second oldest people at 110 years old,” said dent before many of its biggest has already cut into public ser - out to and promoting its youth. Such charitable and commu - living Greek resident in the Coles, who verifies age claims landmarks were built, including vices. The spotlight this year, is also nity activities are facilitated by United States and one of the and is working with Dimakis’ the world-renowned Biltmore Global markets were care - on the Order’s impressive past, the new social media such as oldest in the world. family to obtain original birth Hotel, and Freedom Tower. She fully watching to see if Greece the celebration its 90th anniver - Facebooks, Twitter, which also Back in 1903, when Dimakis records and documents. also lived through the biggest would comply with the orders sary next July 26 at their make it easier to support social was born: Only one Greek in the U.S. hurricane in the city’s history, in of the so-called Troika of the Eu - Supreme Convention in Las Ve - the groups’ events, but with in - - the Wright Brothers flew meets super-centenarian status: 1926. ropean Union-International gas, one of the few times the novations like Linked-in, which the first plane Mersene Zohos, 111, of "Aunt Mary still pushes her Monetary Fund-European Cen - gathering coincides with the or - is popular among younger mem - - Henry Ford rolled out the Pocatello, Idaho. own cart at Publix," says her tral Bank which is lending ganization’s founding date. bers of AHEPA just out of college Model A "Right after I was born, my “young” nephew, Gus Efthimiou Greece $152 billion in a rescue Grossomanides shared his - Teddy Roosevelt was presi - parents took me to the Jordan experiences, and his vision for Continued on page 4 dent. River to be baptized right where Continued on page 3 Continued on page 7 Naked Is the Best Disguise: Greek Schools Bloom in the Garden State

The Performance Art of By Demetrios Tsakas TNH Staff Writer

Katherine Chronis NEW YORK - On Monday Sep - tember 19 the St. George Greek Orthodox parish in Trenton New By Steve Frangos volves her appearing naked in Jersey celebrated the establish - TNH Staff Writer public throughout America and ment of its bilingual pre-kinder - documenting these appearances garten school. It is hoped that it CHICAGO - Katherine Chronis with a series of photographs,” will develop into the first Greek is most often described as an and I might add video, now, as daytime elementary school in “American performance artist well. I know what Chronis does, New Jersey. Metropolitan Evan - who initiated ‘The Get Naked I’m just not sure its art in any gelos of New Jersey officiated Project’ in August 2000. This in - sense of the term. But it cannot at the Blessing of the Water Ser - be denied that what Chronis vice in the school building, does challenges everyday no - which was followed by a tour tions of propriety and lifts the of the facilities and reception in veil on a whole array of socially the school’s gymnasium. Cyprus Drills accepted conventions. Whether Efforts for the creation of the Katherine Chronis is an artist or school began last year and on something else we don’t really September 9 New Jersey state For Gas/Oil, have a name for yet may be her authorities granted the autho - lasting contribution to the world rization for its operation. Classes at large. In any consideration of started last week and ten pupils Turks Rail the full spectrum of Greek or have been enrolled thus far. Greek American artists we must The corridors have been dec - take into evaluation everyone orated with replicas of the TNH Staff Writer engaged in such an enterprise, Parthenon and images of an - not simply those praised by the cient Greek philosophers and NEW YORK - The Republic of elite art world or the contem - scenes from Greek Mythology. TNH/COSTAS BEJ Cyprus started to drill for oil and porary media outlets. The facilities are clean and With Fr. Vassilios Gikas at his side and Metropolitan Evangelos present, Dr. Spyros Spyreas, gas in its Exclusive Economic So, how did a ‘good Greek president of the parish council, called all those who held establish the bilingual pre-kindergarten Zone (EEZ) on Sunday, Septem - girl’ from Chicago end up walk - Continued on page 3 school of St . George of Trenton, N.J. ‘heroes’. ber 18, and the Associated press ing around naked all across reported that “U.S. Secretary of America? No story is ever as State Hillary Rodham Clinton simple as it first may seem. told Turkish Foreign Minister GETTING NAKED Ahmet Davutoglu in New York Katherine Chronis’ ‘life story’ Jewish American Groups Meet with Greek FM on the following day that the is - is a typical American-wild-child- land's recognized government becomes-artist tale: “Born in had a right to decide how it ex - Chicago to Greek immigrants, By Constantine S. Sirigos without the recent develop - officials of the American Israel ploits its resources.” she grew up in government-sub - TNH Staff Writer ments in the Israeli-Turkish re - Public Affairs Committee With tensions rising in the sidized housing in Uptown. She lationship, the time was right (AIPAC), the World Jewish Con - Eastern Mediterranean “Clinton orchestrated her expulsion from NEW YORK – In another impor - for closer ties between Athens gress and the Anti-Defamation told her Turkish counterpart Saint Scholastica by unleashing tant sign of the deepening of re - and Jerusalem. League (ADL). during the meeting that the U.S. profanities at a nun, and then lations between both Greece Lambrinidis was accompa - The Jewish American leaders is against any form of threat or attended two other high schools and Israel and the Greek and nied by Deputy Foreign Minister were very pleased and the For - action of war on the matter,” ac - before dropping out at 16, con - Jewish American communities, Dimitris Dollis, Vassilis eign Minister said the meeting cording to the ANA-MPA. On vinced the education being of - a meeting was held at the hotel Kaskarellis, Ambassador of “was extremely helpful… There Tuesday, Cyprus declared it fered was "a sham." She left Le Parker Meridien in Manhat - Greece to the U.S., Anastasios are close and historic ties be - would go ahead with undersea home that same year and mar - tan on Sunday morning, Sep - Mitsialis, Greece’s UN Ambas - tween the two peoples and is a exploration for oil and gas re - ried in her early 20s - she says tember 18 between the leader - sador, Amb. Aghi Balta, Consul pity that for so long this rela - gardless recent protests and she can't remember exactly ship of the major Jewish General of Greece in New York, tionship had not developed fur - threats by Turkey, but according when - and together she and her organizations in America and and Greek Consul in New York ther. We are now covering the to Bloomberg News, Cyprus’ husband nursed their budding Greek Foreign Minister Stavros Evangelos Kyriakopoulos. The lost ground at a steady pace and “ministry of defense is monitor - interests in heroin into full- Lambrinidis, representing Prime representatives of the Jewish at all levels. We talked about co - blown addictions. Then in the Minster George Papandreou American community included operation between the Greek Continued on page 7 early 90s she moved out, who was to attend before can - Malcolm Hoenlein, Exec. Vice and the Jewish diaspora, about cleaned up, and relocated to celling his scheduled trip to the Chairman and CEO of the Con - Greece’s ties to both United New York. She returned tem - United States due to the Greek ference of Presidents of Major States and Israel and particu - porarily to Chicago in 1999, to economic crisis. TNH/COSTAS BEJ Jewish Organizations, Jason larly the new situation in our For subscription: be with her mother while she The wide-ranging discussion Greek Foreign Minister Isaacson, Director of Govern - region and the need to 718.784.5255 was dying of a brain tumor, and lasted beyond the planned one Stavros Lambrinidis in N.Y. ment and International Affairs strengthen stability and security [email protected] then moved back again…having and one half hours. Although for the American Jewish Com - in the Eastern Mediterranean. determined that New York was the discussions did not appear have contributed to a sense of mittee and Daniel S. Mariaschin, There is great potential in our too "image conscious" and that to center on common concerns urgency accompanying the ex - Exec. VP and David Michael, Di - relationship and we are deter - she needed to live at a slower about Turkey, that country’s re - citement over economic oppor - rector of UN and Intercommu - mined to realize it.” cent aggressive stances formed tunities, although numerous ob - nal Affairs for B’nai Brith Inter - Continued on page 5 an ominous backdrop and may servers have noted that even national. There were also Continued on page 4 2 COMMUNITY THE NATIONAL HERALD, SEPTEMBER 24-30, 2011

GOINGS ON...

n SEPTEMBER 22-25 TARPON SPRINGS, Florida - On Myrtle Beach, S.C – Saint John Saturday, October 1, from 6:00- the Baptist Greek Orthodox 11:00 p.m., the City of Tarpon Church presents its 20th Annual Springs will present Night in the Greek Festival This 4-day event Islands – a free event on the will be held in the fellowship world famous Sponge Docks. hall and on the Church grounds Enjoy Greek music, dancing, and on the corner of Hwy 17 By-pass dining! Prior to the main event, and 33rd Avenue North, on there will be live Greek music Thursday from 11 AM to 9 PM, by the Bouzouki Boys between Friday and Saturday from 11 4 and 6pm on Dodecanese Blvd. a.m. 10 p.m. and on Sunday at Riverwalk, west of Hope from Noon until 7 p.m. Admis - Street . Night in the Islands also sion is only $1 for adults, and will be offered Saturdays, No - children 10 and under were vember 5, 2011 & April 7, May free. Thousands come out to en - 5, June 2, July 7, August 4, Sep - joy mouth-watering Greek foods tember 8, October 6, and No - TNH/COSTAS BEJ such as Gyros, Roasted Lamb, vember 3, 2012. Mark your cal - Professor Harry Psomiades Remembered, His Last Book Presented at N.Y. Cathedral Greek Salad, Spanakopita and endar and make this a regular Mousaka – as well as a wide as - destination! For more informa - Dr. Harry Psomiades knew that good scholarship is part of the who joined the author’s wife Mary Vassiliou, included Cypriot sortment of Greek pastries and tion please call Tina Bukuvalas battle that Hellenism must wage to protect its past and its fu - Consul General Koula Sophianou and Greek Consul Evangelos breads. Soft drinks, beer and at 727-937-1130 or visit ture. His posthumously published book “Fridtjof Nansen and Kyriakopoulos. Above, right: The featured speaker, Professor Greek wines are also available. http://www.tarponarts.org the Greek Refugee Problem (September-November 1922) was Alexander Kitroeff, Associate Professor of History at Haverford presented at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Manhattan. Guests (L) College, discussed the new book. n SEPTERMER 23 n OCTOBER 2 CHICAGO, Illinois. - Join hun - TARPON SPRINGS, Florida - The dreds of food lovers, cultural City of Tarpon Springs is pleased connoisseurs and socialites to to present a series of workshops sample world class food at the in Greek bouzouki for beginning new National Hellenic Museum and advanced students by at Kouzina , for the last day of a George Soffos, considered the three day culinary celebration best bouzouki player born out - showcasing Mediterranean culi - side of Greece. The workshops nary arts filled with Chef Tast - will take place on the 2nd, 9th ings, Food and Wine Demon - and 16th of October and will be strations and a premium held at Tarpon Springs Heritage four-course dinner prepared by Museum, 100 Beekman Lane, Food-Network star David Craig Park, Tarpon Springs, Fl. Schneider. Come join the cele - The workshops take place on bration at the National Hellenic Sundays from 2-4pm, and are Museum, the only major Greek- divided into beginning (2-3pm) American museum dedicated to and advanced (3-4pm) sections. telling the story of Greeks from Classes are $5 each and payable ancient to modern immigrant at time of workshop. More work - stories. Food and wine demon - shops to be held on Sundays be - strations. Friday, Sept. 23 from tween November 20 to Decem - 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. $100 for one ber 18. For more information day admission, $200 for three call 727-942-5605 or visit TNH/COSTAS BEJ day pass(includes premium din - http://www.tarponarts.org The Feast Day of the Elevation of the Holy Cross Again Draws Throngs to Asbury Park, N.J. ner) $150 per person for pre - mium dinner only. Come to Na - n OCTOBER 8 2000 people made the journey to famed Asbury Park on the Jer - Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey (L). The Church of St. tional Hellenic Museum at 333 Brookville, N.Y.- Platinum sey shore on Sunday, Sept.18 to witness in the 64th annual Bless - George hosted the event. Also participating were the parishes of S. Halstead St. Chicago. 312- recording artist Thanos Petrelis ing of the Waters after the Divine Liturgy, a few days after the St. George of Trenton, Kimisis of Holmdel and St. Barbara of 655-1234 for information/tick - will perform at Tilles Center at Feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross. More than 70 teenagers Toms River. Although the St. George parish is preparing to move ets. C.W. Post College in Brookville, dived into the Atlantic Ocean to retrieve the cross thrown by to a new home, the Blessing of the Waters will continue. New York on Saturday, October n SEPTEMBER 29 8. The Greek Orthodox Church Chicago- FilmHellenes, sponsor of the Holy Resurrection’s 35th of Greek Film Fest Chicago! Anniversary Gala, will honor the (GFFC), has announced the fea - Hellenic Times Scholarship In the Spotlight: Greg Christakis: Always Alert tured films for its 1st annual fes - Fund. The concert will also fea - tival, to take place September ture YouTube sensation So Tiri. 29 – October 2, 2011 at the Greek Orthodox Church of the By Constantine S. Sirigos ating from college while she was Pickwick Theatre in Park Ridge, Holy Resurrection 1400 Cedar TNH Staff Writer working 2 jobs, during the day the new National Hellenic Mu - Swamp Road Brookville, NY as a food vendor at night clean - seum (Halsted at Van Buren) 11545. For more information NEW YORK – Greg Christakis ing office buildings for 30 years. and the Portage Theater (Sun - call: (516)-671-5200 or visit was born in Greece. His parents Hercules was a role model be - day only) in Chicago. The Festi - http://www.resurrectiongoc.org immigrated to the United States cause he rejected the easy life val's program categories are: in 1971 with $500 and dreams he could have had as the son of Hellenic Current (recent narra - n OCTOBER 21 of a better life, but things didn’t Zeus. He took on the 12 labors tive features, short subjects, an - MANHATTAN- Join us on Friday, go as planned. Greg learned to voluntarily and triumphed. Also, imation, feature and short October 21 7:00 p.m at the Har - be alert and to improvise, skills because I was born in Pella, length documentaries); Flashes vard Club for our annual stew - that serve him well in his line Alexander the Great was one of of History (historical documen - ardship gala celebrating the An - of work. He grew up in Astoria, my heroes. While he infused taries); Young Ambition (stu - nunciation Church. Dean Vali Queens but when his parents di - Greek language and culture in dent entries); and Chrysotheke, will provide live music for the vorced he moved across the bor - his empire that stretched across by festival invitation only, which entire night! Reception: 7:00 ough to Jamaica, which he calls three continents but he also em - salutes films that have put p.m. Dinner: 8:00 p.m. $300 a blessing in disguise. I gave him braced foreign custums and as - Greece on the map. For more per person. “Gala II -Friends of a chance to start fresh with new similated and respected all cul - details visit http://www.greek - the Annunciation" is a separate friends. He thanks God for get - tures. filmfestchicago.org or please event in a different style and ting through everything, and his TNH: What’s your ultimate contact Valerie Gobos at 312- beat, equally elegant and fun in life is filled with interesting con - goal in life? 836-8300 or [email protected] the room next door. Open Bar & nections. When he was 8 years GC: God willing we will have Buffet: 9:00 p.m. $125 per per - old his first job was being a children. Everyone tells me n SEPTEMBER 30 son. 27 West 44th Street, NY, newspaper delivery boy. He was watching them grow is the most MANHATTAN – The Philopto - NY. Contact the church office paid on tips, making $3 to $4 a rewarding experience. On a chos Society of the Archdioce - 212-724-2070 or email at week. He now lives on the same professional level l would like san Cathedral of the Holy Trinity [email protected]. block where he had his paper to transition from transit’s safety Cathedral will host its Chrysan - route, the same block where his and security oversight to na - themum Ball 2011Supporting n OCTOBER 27-30 future wife lived when they met. tional security level, and help “The Mission Continues” and MANHATTAN, N.Y. - The fifth The next fact is harder to label prevent tragedies like 9/11 ever Paying Tribute to Greek Films annual New York City Greek coincidence because that was Greg Christakis happening again. and Music of the 60’s and 70’s Film Festival 2011 is currently also the block where his parish TNH: What’s the greatest les - on Friday, September 30 at The in the planning stages. As al - priest, Father John Antonopou - what is going on. Behind the off. At the age of 10 I was an son you've ever learned? Metropolitan Club, Fifth Avenue ways, the festival aspires to los, lived, and where took them scenes, I lead ongoing compre - entrepreneur. I built my first bi - GC: A long time ago when I and Sixtieth Street. Black tie. bring the best work of Greek into his house until he found hensive safety investigations cycle from scrap material after was a party animal I was ar - Cocktails at 7:30pm and Dinner filmmakers to New York City au - them a home. Father John also throughout the Transit system. scrounging through the dumps rested for DWI in the Hamptons at 8:30. $300 per person - for diences and present it in the helped his mom and dad find TNH: What are some of your of Astoria, across the street from after a big party during Labor reservations please contact: most up-to-date screening facil - jobs. And, yes, the same priest team’s accomplishments? where the old Shop Rite super - day weekend. Compared to all Stephanie Pantelidis (917) 509- ities. We are especially proud to married him and his wife at the GC: My investigative exper - market was. Would you believe my friends I was the most sober 0897 e-mail: [email protected] announce that we have entered St. Catherine’s church 35 years tise helped uncover unsafe and there were so many bicycles and I had to take everybody A special Young Adults event into partnership with The Mu - later. He now has a job were hazardous conditions within thrown away every week? I be - back home safely, but a state “Let’s Dance” will be held simul - seum of the Moving Image, to noticing coincidences is good for NYC Transit properties, covering gan fixing them, with mix and trooper stopped me. I had to taneously with Open Bar, hors present festival screenings in the his fellow citizens too. 468 subway stations, 15 main - match parts, and then I would perform 35 hours community d’oeuvres, desserts and live mu - museum's newly refurbished TNH: You have an important tenance facilities and numerous sell each refurbished bike for service. When Father Paul Panos sic. $125 per person. Contact state-of-the-art theater in Asto - job in the post 9/11, budget office buildings. I was also ap - $15. To me, it was like the old wanted to know what I could Rallou Zervoudakis (212) 737- ria, from October 20 through constrained world. pointed to lead a joint safety do for the church and told him 6267; e-mail: youngcathedral - October 23, 2011. The festival GC: I am a System Safety task force of NYC Transit man - I loved playing basketball, and [email protected]. will screen in Manhattan the fol - professional for MTA-NYC Tran - agers and union representatives “In NYC there is always immediately his eyes lit up. St. Cathedral office: 212-288-3215 lowing week, October 27 sit with over 22 years of experi - inspecting various track con - something going on Demetrios Jamaica needed a through October 30, at the beau - ence investigating accidents and struction and maintenance pro - basketball coach and the 35 n OCTOBER 1 tiful SVA Theater in Chelsea. Still eliminating dangerous condi - jects. The results? There were and the subway system hours turned out to be 3,000. PORTLAND, 60th Annual Greek to be announced are the dates tions. We have our work cut out 63 rule changes implemented to is its nerve center” This divine intervention turned Festival At Holy Trinity Greek and locations of various special for us. In NYC there is always improve working conditions and my whole life around and Orthodox Cathedral The Greek events. something going on and the better communication. brought me closer to the Greek Festival remains a wonderful op - subway system is its nerve cen - TNH: The world today de - saying, “One man’s garbage is community which I had strayed portunity for us to share annu - n NOTE TO OUR READERS ter. This weekend alone we have mands more of people with your another man’s treasure.” from, and to God. ally with over 15,000 guests This calendar of events section the 9/11 tenth anniversary, in - skills. At 14, I worked at a food cart TNH: What are your most from the Portland Metropolitan is a complimentary service to the creases in suspicious packages GC: I am also a volunteer (karotsi) at the corner of Varick enjoyable pastimes? area our beautiful Greek Ortho - Greek American community. All and terror alerts, customers be - “first responder” within an elite and Canal Street, and my mom GC: My wife Emily and I love dox faith, our cherished cultural parishes, organizations and in - ing struck by trains, and at the 100-member HazMat Team, was a couple of blocks away. traveling around the world, traditions, food, music, and stitutions are encouraged to e- same time there is the US Open, participating in emergency pre - She kept an eye on me and I on watching how people live. dance. September 30, October mail their information regarding Yankee and Met games. Etc. Our paredness drills in undisclosed her. She was selling hot dogs When not traveling we love to 1 & 2, 2011 10am to 10pm Fri - the event 3-4 weeks ahead of goal is to ensure a safer trans - subway locations with various and shish-ke-bab, making a host our friends that we met day and Saturday Noon to 8pm time, and no later than Monday portation system for our riding agencies including Homeland $1,000 a day. around the world with filoxenia on Sunday. For more informa - of the week before the event, to public without their noticing Security. The drills include re - Working on the streets of and show them the beauty of tion please visit http//go - english.edition@thenationalher - sponding to and searching for NYC was a real eye-opener. I NYC, especially the sites sounds holytrinity.org ald.com “weapons of mass destruction”, met people from all over the and tastes of Astoria Queens. which includes chemical, bio - world ad it taught me a lot TNH: Share with us some logical and radiological releases about not looking down at peo - words of wisdom. in the subway system. The NYC ple and respecting their cul - GC: Life will throw you lot QUESTION OF THE WEEK Transit coined the phrase, “If tures. of curves. If you are able turn you see something, say some - TNH: Has your life path been negatives into positives you will Vote on our website! thing” and I would also like influenced by your Ancient conquer. I learned to always thank our passengers who help Greek and Greek Orthodox her - look for the best in people and You have the chance to express your opinion on our website tremendously by taking action itage? my motto is “Do good and good on an important question in the news. The results will be pub - and being our “eyes and ears,” GC: My life path has been in - comes around, do bad and bad lished in our printed edition next week along with the question making New York City a safer fluenced by Greek mythology comes back to you” - like for that week. place. We hope the big one and my Greek orthodox faith karma. The question this week is: Should the Archdiocese explore never happens but if does, we was instilled in me by my grand - ways to make the Divine Liturgy and other services more "in - are ready. mother who constantly prayed [email protected] novative and contemporary" in order to attract and retain TNH: There is a phrase, that for us and by Father John young people? reflects an important element of Antonopoulos who helped my o Yes the American Dream, “hard family every way he could and If you'd like to nominate a no - o No work never hurt anyone.” You has always there for us. The table member of the Greek o Maybe started young. church was there for our family. American community for “In The results for last week’s question: Was it proper to ex - GC: My Papou told me “don’t TNH: Do you have role mod - the Spotlight”, please e-mail clude clergy from the 9/11 commemoration at Ground Zero? be afraid to work hard when els? us at english.edition@then - 9% voted "Yes" you’re young so you don’t have GC: Yes, my mother who ationalherald.com with your 87 % voted "No" to work hard when you’re old”. raised 3 children – me and my suggestions. 4% voted "Maybe" I can honestly say that it paid two younger sisters - all gradu - Please vote at: www.thenationalherald.com THE NATIONAL HERALD, SEPTEMBER 24-30, 2011 COMMUNITY 3 Community Surprised at Sudden Departure of Methodios’ Assistant

By Theodore Kalmoukos Bishop in Boston, Fr. Dean Pa - our St. Methodios Faith & Her - those who come to Boston for lis, the meetings of the Philop - TNH Staff Writer leologos suggested I meet itage Center and its programs. medical treatment.” tochos, as well as the meetings Sophia whom he recommended As we begin the new Ecclesi - Mrs. Nibi was also said to and audiences of Metropolitan BOSTON -Sophia Nibi, execu - to become the secretary of the astical year, I pray God bless serve as a protective barrier for Methodios with priests and of - tive administrative assistant of Diocese. When Sophia asked me Sophia and her family with Metropolitan Methodios, shield - ficials of the parishes. the Metropolis of Boston sud - what she would be responsible every heavenly gift. ing him from telephone calls Prior to her assignment at denly resigned on September 1 for, I responded everything. In - With Episcopal love, from parishes and parishioners the Metropolis of Boston, Mrs. after 27 years of service. She did deed, Sophia has been more METHODIOS angry at Methodios as a result Nibi worked as executive secre - not return a telephone message than a secretary. She has liter - Metropolitan of Boston. of his treatment towards them. tary to Thomas Lelon, then pres - TNH left at her residence and ally administered the Diocese Mrs. Nibi began working at The most recent case was in - ident of Hellenic College – Holy her resignation was announced (now Metropolis) for more than the Metropolis of Boston in volved the parish of St. George Cross Greek Orthodox School of the same day a letter was sent 27 years, working tirelessly 24 1984, shortly after Methodios in Lynn Massachusetts. Metho - Theology. She was also in to the clergy and faithful of the hours per day, seven days a was appointed Bishop of Boston dios is perceived to have created charge of the school’s publica - Metropolis by Metropolitan week, 365 days a year. relatively late in the Archbishop an ecclesiastical “schism” by tion “Koinonia”. Methodios in which he wrote Earlier this year, Sophia was Iakovos era. She had under her prohibiting the celebration of Priests who spoke to TNH on the following: blessed with a granddaughter responsibility the entire opera - the holy sacraments of marriage the condition of anonymity said September 1, 2011 when her daughter, Theresa, tion of the Metropolis from cor - and baptism due to a dispute that “the departure of Sophia To the Rev. Clergy and Faith - adopted a delightful one year respondence with the parishes over a $20,000 increase in the Nibi from the Metropolis creates ful in the Metropolis of Boston old little girl. Sophia wants to (clergy and parish council mem - parish’s annual allocation to the a huge void [that will disrupt] My Brothers and Sisters in spend more time with her fam - bers) and was director of the Archdiocese from $68,000.00 to the smooth daily operation of the Household of God, ily, enjoy her granddaughter, Philoxenia House, which in - $88,000.00. the Metropolis of Boston.” The I am saddened to announce and pursue her hobbies of read - cluded its overseeing finances. Mrs. Nibi also handled public priests also were surprised by that Sophia Nibi has decided to ing and writing. She will remain According to the Web site of the relations for the Metropolis, and her unexpected departure. retire on September 1. Back in an active part of our Metropolis Metropolis, it was “established organized the annual Parish Youth Director Dean Pappas also April 1984 – just a few days af - Sophia Nibi Leaves Metropolis family, and be involved in our by Metropolitan Methodios is awards every June, the Clergy- resigned from his position at the ter I assumed responsibilities as of Boston after 27 Years. Philoxenia House ministry and 1986… to offer hospitality to Laity Congress of the Metropo - Metropolis. Greek Doctor Makes Medical History

By Theo Karantsalis sylvania hospital where Tzakis the family’s Norwegian roots, Special to The National Herald trained. Engebretsen explained, it is also “I’ll never forget how hard a Norwegian form of Andreas, MIAMI- Two patients who un - she kicked me every time I ex - Tzakis’ first name. derwent liver transplants cele - amined her,” Tzakis said. Years “We are trying to make the brated the birth of their new later, Tzakis relocated to Miami. most from the gifts we have baby boy. In 2008, in another twist of been given,” said Engebretsen, “We believe that’s the first fate, Tzakis performed a liver who expects to graduate from time that we have a baby born transplant on Engebretsen’s medical school in 2013. Again, out of both parents being liver then-boyfriend, Ryan Labbe, of she was inspired by Tzakis. transplant recipients,” said Dr. Connecticut. The two met on - “Without great doctors, Andreas Tzakis, a world- line through a dating Web site where would we be?” said En - renowned liver transplant spe - and invited Tzakis to their wed - gebretsen, who encourages oth - cialist based at Jackson Memor - ding. ers to consider donating their ial Hospital in Miami, Fla. “It’s a miracle,” said Labbe. organs. The mother, Trine Engebret - “I’m a dad.” At a news conference at the sen, of Miami, was in dire need The baby, Andersen Labbe, Miami hospital last Wednesday, PHOTO COurTESy Of uNivErSiTy Of miAmi of a transplant back in 1984 born on July 21, was named in the proud parents held their new University of Miami Miller School of Medicine transplant expert Dr. Andreas G. Tzakis, right, when she was only 2-years-old. Tzakis’ honor. baby as Tzakis shared their joy. with Trina Engebretsen, her husband Ryan Labbe, and their baby Andersen, who is believed to She sought treatment at a Penn - Though “Andersen” retains “I am blessed,” said Tzakis. be the first child born of two liver recipient parents. Schools Bloom in Garden State – Pre-Kindergarten Opens

Continued from page 1 but the establishment of the Day the time will come when we Greek School is one of its great - also inaugurate the Day School.” well kept, and the pupils do not est achievements. I am ex - Dr. Georgia Trianafilloy, a want to leave when their par - tremely happy because the cre - professor at Temple University, ents come to pick them up said ation of a day Greek School in praised the School committee Dr. Georgia Triantafillou, chair - the state of New Jersey was a and expressed gratitude to the woman of the School commit - big dream of mine and I am so parents and the children who tee. pleased that it has become a re - share her vision. Metropolitan Evangelos said ality.” Dr. Anastasios Kasapidis con - that “this parish has lived great, Metropolitan Evangelos con - gratulated the parish and said beautiful and blessed moments, gratulated Dr. Spyros Spyreas that the Greek language is being president of the parish council, strengthened every day because the priest of the parish Fr. Vas - there are many who love it and silios Gikas, the chairwoman of because there many supporters the School committee Dr. Geor - and donors to the cause of Hel - gia Triafillou and all those who lenic Paideia. contributed to the realization of Ourania Rotos said, “As a the idea if establishing a Day parent of two children I want Greek School. the best for their education. Evangelos mentioned that it That is why my two children is the fourth school with day - were among the first who en - time classes which has been es - rolled in the school. We thank tablished in the Metropolis of you and we want you to know New Jersey and said that the vi - that all the parents share this sion of Dr. Spyros Spyreas for a TNH/COSTAS BEJ common vision.” Greek High School will be ful - CAPTION: Above: Fr. Vassilios Gikas blesses the classrooms with Holy Water. Below, L-R: Dr. Antonis H. Diamataris, the filled. Spyros Spyreas, president of the parish council, Fr. Vassilios Gikas, Dr. Georgia Triafillou, publisher of the National Her - Metropolitan Evangelos chairwoman of the School committee and Metropolitan Evangelos at the Holy Water service ald, congratulated the leaders urged Greek Americans to re - who contributed to the estab - main steadfast in their efforts to lishment of the school and em - teach the Greek language and phasized that “the schools, with culture, explaining that he in - the Church, will help to sustain sists that the Gospel be read in our identity” and he added that Greek in the parishes of the Me - “the schools give pupils the abil - tropolis in New Jersey because ity to better understand how im - it is it’s original language. portant our language, history, Dr. Spyreas is a stalwart in civilization and faith are.” Mary Demakis the drive to establish the school. Sophia Stavrakis, the Greek He donated the first ten thou - School principal, said “Teaching sand dollars and has assumed is my great passion and I feel Mary the responsibility to take care of proud that in our Greek-Ameri - any uncovered expenses in the can hive more honey has been operation of the school. added in order for the small Dimakis,108, He also attributed success to children to taste the sweetness.” the work of Dr. Georgia Triat - Stavrakis said that the Greek nafilloy, to Mike Roze and to the Afternoon School, which is at - Trusts unity and harmony of the entire tended by 75 students, has parish. Dr. Spyreas reminded seven classes and operates Mon - that “the strength is in our day to Friday from 4 to 6.30 in God unity” and he added that “the p.m. and are registered. She school will be developed and also teaches a class for adults. Continued from page 1

Jr., 84, a 1945 graduate of Mi - ami Beach High who worked as a city attorney for several area young Adults with Special Abilities cities. POCKET-LESS Dimakis, who mainly speaks YASA is a Non-profit Health and Human Services Agency serving people of all Greek, still retains her pioneer ages with developmental disabilities and their families. Tax excempt (501) (C) (3) ways. She does not use the air PITA BREAD conditioner, even during Mi - ami’s hottest days. Young Adults with Special Abilities “More than anything, she loves to have friends visit,” said Kontos Foods invites you to join us Efthimiou, who visits often to The Leading Company in Flat Breads on Wednesday, September 28th, 2011 take Dimakis to nearby Milos Restaurant for Greek food. Well known for the Pocket-Less Pita from 7pm to 9pm During the day, Dimakis rocks in her chair and waives to manufacturers of Authentic Ethnic located at: neighbors from her front win - Hand Stretched flat bread. 30-55 21st Street & 30 th Drive, Astoria, NY dow. kontos the first family in fillo dough and fillo products. In 2005, she received a signed letter from then-Presi - fillO kATAifi, BAklAvA, SPANAkOPiTA, TyrOPiTA Young Adults with Special Abilities dent George Bush, which sits on NuT rOll, mElOmAkArONA her mantle alongside family and the TrADiTiONAl mEDiTErrANEAN DESSErTS. will be hosting a meeting of its Supporters Committee. photos. Last year, she received a visit from Miami Mayor Tomas Excellent quality and service. The committee will consist of reputable members of the community Regalado who presented Di - We distribute in USA and Canada. who will oversee an escrow account that will be established makis with a proclamation mak - Special prices for communities, schools, churches ing her birthday “Mary Dimakis to buy land for a housing project for individuals Day.” festivals and other events After some coaxing, Dimakis with developmental disabilities and their families. revealed her longevity secrets The construction costs for the project will be funded by which include trusting God, eat - ing Greek food every day and the government. having lots of friends. Kontos Foods, Inc But when asked her age, she b scowled. Box 628, Paterson, NJ 07544 For more information, call 718-626-6700 or 646-920-1212 "I tell people the same thing Tel.: (973) 278-2800 fax: (973) 278-7943 kontos.com every year," Dimakis says. "I'm a P.O. Box 5237, Astoria, NY 11105 • Tax Id: 11-3586205 • Charity No: 20.55.31 • Tel: (718) 626-6700 • Email: [email protected] • Web: www.yasaonline.org 39." 4 COMMUNITY THE NATIONAL HERALD, SEPTEMBER 24-30, 2011 Tradition and Innovation at AHEPA - John Grossomanides Visits TNH

Continued from page 1 AHEPAN and John Jr. remem - tragedy AHEPA placed ads in bers going to district conven - Greek American newspapers and grad school, they also help tions as a four year old child. and in the New York Times. members network professionally He had no siblings so like many Another goal in the New York with their AHEPA brothers and an only child he enriched his life area is to strengthen AHEPA’s sisters, reinforcing the idea that by turning his friends into sib - presence in Manhattan. Region the next phase in the evolution lings, his AHEPA brethren not 3 Supreme Governor James of Greek organizations is for least among them. He repays his Kokotas told TNH there are them to become powerful pro - parents love and generosity by plans to move a chapter to the fessional networking vehicles. looking after them in their Archdiocesan Cathedral where Grossomanides is also excited golden years. there can be greater interaction about the jobs board that was His family attended Holy with and outreach to the Com - established last year. One must Trinity in Norwich, CT. which is munity, and there is also poten - be a member to access job open - the closest church to Westerley, tial for a lower Manhattan chap - ings, but anyone can list a job. Rhode Island where he grew up ter, perhaps at the new St. Mossaides also spoke about and lives. He went to Greek Nicholas where pastor Fr. John AHEPA’s national membership school there, attended Sunday Romas is a member of the Or - program that began several School and was an Altar boy too der. Kokotas informed TNH that years ago. People can now join while his father served on the PBS’s acclaimed Religion and on line directly to the headquar - parish council and his mother Ethics Newsweekly program re - ters in Washington. “We are sen - was a member of the Philopto - cently featured AHEPA’s June sitive to the fact that profession - chos. To this day he helps in the 26 rally for the rebuilding of St. als may not have time at their altar and at the chanters’ stand. Nicholas. disposal to attend chapter meet - It’s a small community of about The Order also maintains its ings or the other programs, but 100 families and he is currently focus on the needs of Greece yet feel enough of a connection the parish council’s treasurer. and Cyprus. Mossaides told to AHEPA that they would pay By high school he became ac - TNH they look forward to con - dues and be connected with us tive himself in Chapter 110 tinuing to meet with Greek offi - that way, and that membership where his father was a full cials in the U.S. and in Greece is steadily increasing.” member – there was no local TNH/COSTAS BEJ to discuss helping in any way National membership is also Sons group - and by his senior AHEPA’s New Supreme President Dr. John Grossomanides, Jr. (center) and Executive Director they can and he said its ambas - valuable for people who live in year at the University of Rhode Basil Mossaidis (right) visit with TNH Publisher-Editor Antonis Diamataris in New York. sadors and consulates here have remote areas. Like Hawaii, Island he joined a local chapter reached out to them. where they are working to get which had a strong athletics AHEPA at the national level, he shops in Connecticut. The pur - membership goals for the next “It’s important to assist in the their first chapter up by Christ - program, enjoying playing bas - travelled along the cursus hon - pose was to help chapter presi - year were reviewed, along with economic recovery of Greece mas, along with Panama. Most ketball and softball. After grad - oris that leads to the supreme dents better understand their 90th anniversary plans. and keep the homeland pro - recently a chapter was estab - uation, he joined 110 and found presidency, driven by hard work roles and responsibilities and Grossomanides cares about gressing,” he said. The Greek lished in Constantinople. himself being asked to help with and dedication. In 2003 when provide general leadership all the components of AHEPA, government has yet to come up The international chapters one project and event or an - he was elected as a Supreme training. but he has a strong interest in with concrete proposals or re - include more than ten in Greece other. He became secretary and Governor, a position which over - Grossomanides was well pre - one in particular. He is engaged quests, but Mossaides agrees and Cyprus, an ironic but excit - then president before moving sees a number of districts and pared as he was president of his to Anna-Helene Panagakos of that helping Greece tap into the ing fact for the organization that on to roles at the level of District was his first position on the state’s pharmacists association Brooklyn, whom he met at an expertise and success of Greek was created for the benefit and 7, which covers Rhode Island, Supreme Lodge which governs and society of hospital pharma - AHEPA event in Tarpons Americans in important sectors protection of immigrants in Connecticut and Western Mass - the organization at the national cists, and was national presi - Springs. She is now the national such as health care and educa - America. It was Grossomanides’ achusetts. level. Two year tenures followed dent of the professional phar - Grand Secretary of the Daugh - tion that need to be rebuilt and grandparents who immigrated He believes he has inherited as Supreme Treasurer , Supreme maceutical fraternity with ters of Penelope, so he has a bet - where AHEPA has a longstand - to the U.S. in a story familiar to a community service gene. His Secretary and Supreme Vice 80,000 members and the need ter understanding than most ing tradition of activities are many readers. His father’s father father was involved in many or - President. to travel across the country. He past leaders of the needs and possibilities. Many of its mem - came from Mytline through Ellis ganizations and his mother was He was always involved in earned his Doctor of Pharmacy challenges the Daughters face, bers, active and retired, can also Island in 1912, settling in Rhode church secretary when she was AHEPA’s athletic programs and from the University of Rhode Is - and their potential. They will be offer guidance and coaching re - Island. His mother’s side came young, and there are his uncles. youth committees in addition to land College of Pharmacy where married in 2012 at the Church garding starting and running from Epirus around 1917 and One was the late Steve Grosso - helping organize national ban - has was appointed Adjunct Pro - of the Holy Cross in Bay Ridge. businesses. settled in Massachusetts at - manides who was so active and quets and similar projects, but fessor of Clinical Pharmacy. Grossomanides continues After speaking with Grosso - tracted to that state’s abundant energetic that he was known as when former Supreme President On Saturday, September 17 AHEPA’s high-level concern manides it is clear it’s not your mill jobs. His mother Celia “Mr. AHEPA” in Connecticut, Gus James launched his re - He presided over what he told about re-building the St. Pappou’s AHEPA, but he would (Vasiliki) grew up in Webster in and another was his mother’s gional leadership programs ini - TNH was the most well-at - Nicholas Church at Ground be proud. Central Massachusetts. brother, Father Steven Natsis. tiative he asked Grossomanides tended Governors Conference Zero. For the commemoration John Sr. was an active Once he became active with to produce seminars and work - ever where all programs and of the tenth year after the 9/11 [email protected] Alma Receives Stimulus Cash for Small Business Lending

ASTORIA, NY- Alma Bank, portunity of the announcement istration calls “the most signifi - “Under the Jobs Act, loans up which has been an active small to stress “the Bank’s commit - cant piece of small business leg - to $10 million to businesses business lender in the New York ment in fostering economic islation in over a decade. The with up to $50 million in annual Metropolitan since its establish - growth and new job creation,” new law is providing critical re - revenue qualify for small busi - ment in September, 2007, an - which he said “ is amply demon - sources to help small businesses ness lending and include com - nounced that it has met all the strated by Alma’s unprece - continue to drive economic re - mercial and industrial loans and conditions set by the U.S. Trea - dented growth of its Commer - covery and create jobs. The new loans secured by owner-occu - sury Department and received cial and Industrial and law extended the successful SBA pied nonfarm, nonresidential $19M from the Small Business Owner-Occupied nonresidential enhanced loan provisions while real estate. Potential businesses Lending Fund (SBLF). The Fund property loan portfolio; from offering billions more in lending include construction companies, enables banks to better extend September 2009 to June 2011 support, tax cuts, and other op - wholesale and retail trade en - credit to small business owners, [it] has increased by $113.2 mil - portunities for entrepreneurs terprises, manufacturing com - a vital component of economic lion, which represents a com - and small business owners.” panies, transportation and com - recovery efforts, and an impor - pound annual rate of growth of The law created the SBLF, “a munication companies and also TNH/COSTAS BEJ tant resource for entrepreneurs more than sixty percent.” $30 billion fund that encourages loans for professional purposes.” Fast growing Alma Bank opens its first branch in New Jersey. in the Greek American Commu - On Sept. 27, 2010, President lending to small businesses by Alma Bank operates 10 Steve Valiotis, Kirk Karabelas, Mayor of Tenafly Peter Rustin, nity. Obama signed into law the providing Tier 1 capital to qual - branches in New York and in George Katsiaunis, Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey, Nick The President of Alma, Small Business Jobs Act, which ified community banks,” Alma New Jersey and has a five-year A. Andriotis help to cut the ribbon in Tenafly. George Katsiaunis, took the op - the U.S. Small Business Admin - noted in its release, adding that plan for further expansion. Greek-Americans Voice Their Opinion About Papandreou’s Canceled Visit

By Theodore Kalmoukos end serious decisions must be also had to collect real estate Greece but I think the Europeans seems that the Prime Minister are many times when I do not TNH Staff Writer taken that require the presence taxes?” He also said “people are and the Americans will not let wanted to avoid coming to the want to read the news because I of the Prime Minister.” very angry and the government Greece default.” He noted that U.S. or things in Greece are dif - become sorrowful.” BOSTON - The news that Prime Panikos Papanicolaou said cannot get money from the peo - “the politicians brought the ficult and he doesn’t want to Themis Karatzas said “we do Minister of Greece George Pa - that “it was a negative develop - ple who do not have it. If the country to this condition; they leave the country. It seems some - not know the internals, what pandreou abruptly canceled his ment because he could have politicians want to save Greece, thing serious is going on.” She happened internally. The finance scheduled visit to the U.S. be - made some very important con - each one of them should from Katerina Tsingras said also said “I never expected that ministers’ meeting in Poland took cause of on Saturday September tacts with American officials and their real estate holding or their Greece would arrive at today’s place in a difficult climate and 17th because he received dis - foreign leaders, but it seems the savings whatever they acquired “I worry a lot about point, because Greece has class, thus the Prime Minister preferred couraging news from his finance situation in Greece is so serious over the last 20 years.” Greece; there are many civilization, principles, and to stay in the country to make minister Evangelos Venizelos that it doesn’t allow him to Theodoros Parayios said “the times when I do not want strong brains. The people are not the proper decisions.” elicited differing reactions from leave.” He added that “we are cancellation of Mr. Papandreou’s at fault, but those who hold the He also said that “I do not Greek Americans. disappointed because we missed visit probably shows that he is to read the news because government’s wheel.” think that Greece will default be - Emmanuel Paraschos, profes - the opportunity to see him and afraid of something.” He also I become sorrowful” George Papadopoulos said “I cause no European country will sor of journalism and head of the hear from him exactly what is said “some Greek Americans care think they told him from here allow Greece to default.” Media Department at Emerson going on.” about Greece but others do not.” cannot control the unions now. not to come.” Mr. Papadopoulos, Nicholas Dalamagas said “in College in Boston said that “I Vassilis Kafkas said “it shows Savvas Xenidis said “the Greece needs five new persons who just returned from a two politics there are movements be - think that things are very serious the magnitude of the problems meetings in Poland with the fi - who are clean and not corrupt month vacation in Greece, said hind the scenes which we do not and the Prime Minister did the in Greece. The Electric Service nance ministers did not go well and who are not beholden to any “Greece is at the edge of the know about” and he added that right thing by canceling his visit will be collecting the real estate and the Prime Minister was country to lead Greece out of the scarp.” “every time we see such move - to the U.S. From what I under - taxes, can you imagine here in forced to cancel his visit here.” mess.” Katerina Tsingras said “I ments there are serious reasons stand things have come to dead the U.S. the electric company He also said “I worry about Athena Crommydas said “it worry a lot about Greece; there for them.” Leading Jewish American Groups Meet with Greek Foreign Minister in NY

Continued from page 1 warm recollection of his family’s in visiting the Holy Land. He tors of some of the 50 American cooperation between the home - and activities this fall. friendships with Greek Ameri - said he had a delightful trip re - organizations that are members lands and the diaspora commu - An August 18 luncheon in Lambrinides’ thoughts were cans from the days of his child - cently to Santorini from Israel of the Conference, as well as nities in the U.S. Washington, D.C. with Jewish reflected in comments by many hood in Brooklyn where his fa - that took up less than a day. heads of European Jewish com - There are a number of orga - American leaders which was at - Greek and Jewish American ther was a tailor to Keene, New Joint and separate cultural munities. It was their first visit nizations in both Communities tended by AHEPA Supreme leaders TNH has spoken to. Hampshire where the Greek and presentations can serve to both to Greece and Mariaschin spoke that can act as catalysts. Mari - President John Grossomanides, Mariaschin acknowledged that Jewish houses of worship were promote tourism and strengthen glowingly of the trip which he aschin pointed out to TNH that Jr. and his immediate predeces - members of both communities a few minutes walk apart from the developing community believes gave a tremendous im - “Bnai Brith is referred to as the sor Nicholas Karacostas along have friendships and profes - each other and members of both bonds. Mariaschin said Ambas - petus to both new and long - Jewish AHEPA and AHEPA as with PSEKA president sional relationships across the communities owned businesses sador Kaskarellis has been standing relationships. the Greek Bnai Brith.” Phillip Christopher was pro - country that go back for near each other downtown. reaching out to groups like his It would be difficult to exag - AHEPA hosted a ground- ductive. The Ambassadors of decades. “We grew up together” Mariaschin observed that the for a long time and agrees that gerate the importance of coop - breaking conference "Emerging Greece and Cyprus were also in - he said of the Greek and Jewish communities have many values the history of Greek-Jewish in - eration between the Greek and Greek-Israeli Relations: What vited but were out of the coun - experience in America and he in common, such commitments teraction that goes back for Israeli military establishments, are the Next Steps?" that was try at the time; still the meeting says that regardless of the fact to education and family ties that thousands years whose details but potential for great economic held in Washington, D.C. on Oc - was held to maintain the mo - that “it was a long time com - should be the bais for coopera - are unknown would be of inter - and commercial benefits is also tober 7, 2010 which was at - mentum and ideas are gestating ing,” the relationship is blossom - tion. The importance they place est to the communities. More re - vital. Recent threats by Turkey tended by Ambassador Michael about how to proceed. ing now. Noting that the two on caring for their parents and cent and better known history regarding Greek, Cypriot and Is - B. Oren of Israel and Vassilis D. For example, Mariaschin groups took each other for senior citizens in general sug - can also be explored and pre - raeli energy exploration show Kaskarelis of Greece. The latter noted there are many cities granted and didn’t develop their gests joint efforts regarding af - sented, such as the tragedy of there are linkages in the two ar - hosted a follow up meeting at where the two communities’ relationships to include action fordable housing for seniors and the Jewish community in Thes - eas. his official residence in the win - groups are thriving, but he sug - in areas of mutual interest, he related concerns and both sup - saloniki, which was one of the Analysts suggest Agriculture ter. Subsequent plans for meet - gests starting in the three declared, “there is now a great port policies that can help small great centers of Judaism in the is one of the sleeper sectors in ings ran into the calendar reali - biggest – New York, Chicago opportunity to get to know each businesses flourish. world until the Nazi occupation. the Greek economy and Israeli ties of the two communities – and Los Angeles - where they other better.” Tourism comes up often in A visit to that city was one of know-how that can make Many Greek leaders were in can begin to do things on a for - His optimism that the chem - such discussions and Mariaschin the highlights of a trip of the “desserts bloom” may wake it Greece during the summer and mal basis in social, cultural, istry is there for the beginning acknowledged that many Is - The Conference of Presidents of up. That sector and areas such the upcoming Jewish High Holy commercial and political en - of a beautiful friendship is raelis and Jewish American Major American Jewish Organi - as renewable energy are natu - Days put efforts on hold, but deavors, and develop templates grounded both in his under - would love to visit Greece and zations to Greece this past Feb - rals for cooperation and Mari - leaders of both groups told TNH to be applied elsewhere. standing of the common inter - Cyprus and that Greek Ortho - ruary. The delegation included aschin believes initiatives could they are excited about moving ests involved and in his was dox Christians have an interest Presidents and Executive Direc - quickly develop into four-way forward with further meetings [email protected] THE NATIONAL HERALD, SEPTEMBER 24-30, 2011 COMMUNITY 5 Archbishop Chrysotomos has his Own Plan for the Salvation of Cyprus

By Theodore Kalmoukos policy, because If we do not time will come when responsi - century now. TNH Staff Writer have a collective effort of all the bilities will be announced pub - Asked if he sees a danger of political powers we will not be licly.” divisions among the Orthodox BOSTON - In an exclusive in - able to achieve anything.” Asked if President Demetrios given the reactions of other pa - terview with The National Her - My idea was not received Christofias should have been re - triarchates who were not invited ald Archbishop Chryostomos of well by the politicians” but he signed, the Archbishop said, “I to the Synaxis such as the Patri - Cyprus revealed that he is get - added “I will attempt to come am not the proper person to say archate of Moscow, Archbishop ting ready to present a political into contact with the existing that, but definitely the head of Chrysostomos said “the five of plan “for the salvation of politicians and if they do not co - the government has responsibil - us who participated in the Cyprus.” He said “I am forced operate then I do not have any ities,” and he added that “from Synaxis are the ancient to propose a plan and to invite other alternative but to de - the first moment he should have Churches of the first [centuries the people to adopt it. I will try nounce them to the Cypriot Peo - asked the Parliament, the Supe - of the Church]. We have one to find people who can deliver ple. If the Cypriot People closes rior Court and the Attorney Gen - thousand years history before the program that I will propose its ears and doesn’t want to hear eral to conduct objective inves - the Slavs, the Russians. In the and I will invite the people to the voice of the Church then it tigations. He picked a friend of fifth century, when the Church vote it.” will be responsible for anything his who is an able attorney and of Cyprus recognized as Auto - He openly blamed the gov - that happens.” charged him with the investiga - cephalous, the Russians were ernment of Cyprus by saying Archbishop Chrysostomos tion but the question is will the pagans.” that “we have deviated” from believes that “if the politicians Cypriot People accept his re - Archbishop Chysostomos be - what he called in Greek, “’the do not accept my national policy port? I have my doubts.” lieves that the Greek American basis’ in the discussions with the line then very soon Cyprus will Regarding the recent Synaxis Community “has not worked Turkish Cypriot leadership. At become Turkish, I hope not to of the Primates of the five an - correctly in presenting the prob - this moment the Turks are talk - be alive to see it.” He said that Archbishop Chryostomos of Cyprus. cient Patriarchates of the Ortho - lem of Cyprus in America, the ing about two states. The Turk - the declaration will be simple dox Church and whether any - only superpower of the world, ish Prime Minister Erdogan said and contained “in order for the Yes there are many young qual - military base near the island’s thing substantial was achieved to the White House, the Con - it very clearly during his recent people to understand it.” ified people who can take the main electricity generating fa - at the Phanar, he said, “we dis - gress and the Pentagon.” illegal visit here that he wants Asked if he would accept a lead but the old party officials cility. The Archbishop noted, “I cussed issues that pertain to our He doesn’t want to visit the two separate states in Cyprus. request from the people for him do not let them to raise their have said many times that we Churches in the Middle East and USA because, as he explained, He is not going to return any - take the lead and become the heads.” ended up in that deadly situa - we said that we have to appeal “the Greek American Commu - thing back, neither Famagusta new Ethnarch, Archbishop The Archbishop believes that tion where 13 young people to the European Union and ask nity always supports the Cypriot nor Morfou.” Chrysostomos said, “I think we responsibility should attributed were killed because of the ex - for its intervention. On the other government. Since I disagree The Archbishop believes that have many able lay people” and those who were negligent re - treme negligence of government hand we discussed the issue of with the government of Cyprus what is needed immediately is he added that “the time of the garding the recent deadly ex - officials. I do not want to men - the Great and Holy Council of what am I going to the say to for “the entire leadership to sit late Archbishop Makarios is plosions from the munitions that tion names now because the in - the Orthodox Church which has the American officials, that I say down and agree on a national gone and it cannot return again. were improperly stored on a vestigation continues, but the been in preparation for one half A and the government says B?’

ALL HISTORY Naked Is the Best Disguise: The Performance Art of Katherine Chronis

Continued from page 1 all her viewers ‘see’ is a naked lady. Chronis’ intent that this dis - pace (Chicago Reader “What play of nudity will somehow Would You Say? Tori Marlan cause or engender reflection on May 3, 2002).” the part of the viewer just does Now whatever you may not happen. In the footage I have think of Chronis’ art project she seen and from what I have read has the endurance and hard about her performances people work ethic of her ethnic back - scream, laugh or get angry. ground. From August 2000 to Chronis’ performances in May 2002, during her first ex - clubs or on stage, where for the tended period of work, Chronis most part she performs with her appeared naked in public 45 clothes on but does one of her times. The process of her art is verbal put-ons, is also, in the fi - as follows: Chronis, while com - nal analysis, disappointing. As pletely naked (well, she never she explains it her ‘put-ons’ find goes anywhere without shoes or their origins in dialogue, “I’d sandals) simply strolls about en - just hear people on the street. gaging those she meets along Anything going on in their lives, the way. Chronis, as she re - it’s someone else who is doing ported to Tori Marlan, always it…’My husband won’t let me. “documents each excursion with My wife. The government.’ Why the help of videographers and flickr are they controlling you? People photographers, without whom, Performance artist Katherine Chronis of Chicago (above L and R) is both artist and art object. She knows that if she didn’t need excuses (www.chicagore - she admits, "It would be really appear in public with her photographers and videographers "It would be really easy to have me psychologically tested." ader.com).” Chronis believes, as easy to have me psychologically I interpret her discussion of tested." She sells postcards, although, an act like that kind ual. to desexualize female nudity blog, is a site on the Internet these put-ons or rants, she is re - posters, and homemade books of implies or infers. But still, no - The experience of Chronis’ and so make it less taboo. To that hosts discussion and com - vealing the unnecessary and ul - of photos from the audacious body knows why I'm doing it. art is definitely not all one-way. accomplish this end Chronis ments on a particular subject or timately false beliefs humans ac - outings and is working on Another thing is that it's been Chronis has learned a great performs in public intending to theme) http://whatpasses - cept and in a sense inhabit or putting together a calendar. She very interesting for me to find deal: “Another thing I'm notic - issue a film. Chronis does not forart.blogspot.com (so this blog wear. doesn't have a day job. She says out that I am very protected as ing that's very interesting is that restrict herself simply to public has a long list of one comment But do not take my word for it's "a miracle" that she gets by.” a creature in this capacity, in this the police are supportive of me. performance: “I am definitely a written after another on the it. Do not listen to any critic. Go Katherine Chronis’ public world, living this way. I am pro - Like they don't want to arrest multi-media artist. I make world of modern art or in this to the www.Youtube.com performances didn’t happen all tected. People are not sure if I'm me, and I treat them like people books, sculpt with paint, make case what the contributors do website. This website (again at once. At first, Chronis ap - crazy or not. And they do get too. If someone is upset by my scrolls from paper bags, and I not see as ‘real’ art) we find the for those who do not use the In - peared naked onstage where away from me. But I look for image, I just say, "Well, I'm not make wall coverings of my own following on Chronis: ternet regularly) shows free she felt [initially] wonderfully connections. But you know what I appear to be anyway, so propaganda. I just make all “At the risk of insulting the short films and even long films liberated. Yet strangely enough, what, it's very clear and it's very what's the big to-do about?" I kinds of different items that go mentally handicapped. I think but in segments. Two films on after a while, she started "to direct, who my people are. have to deal with advertise - along with the performance. But she is indeed mentally handi - Katherine Chronis’ art work can wonder: Why did I not get Edmar: Right, you can actu - ments for movies, for products ultimately I am the piece of capped. If not, then she has be viewed, one a compilation of naked out in public? Why am I ally divide the "actors" in the that I'm not interested in. I listen work. I may use body movement taken way too much drugs, or her naked in public and another segregating my expression?" video pieces into several camps to people talking about televi - and no words at all or I may use has killed off way too many which is an onstage singing per - She concluded that to experi - For example; the groups of peo - sion shows and credit card bills only words or I might combine brain cells in some way. The way formance with Chronis’ giving a ence "true liberation" - and not ple I was most enamored with all the time. I don't have that them all together. Sometimes I she talks just makes me think rant as part of the performance. just the "illusion of liberation" - were the ones that were trying kind of reality and I'm sur - set out to make people laugh, she’s got some kind of mental Whatever Katherine Chronis she would have to expose her - to help you when the cops were rounded by it all the time. And and I make them cry, instead or illness. I saw [someone] argue may be doing it is clear she is self on the streets and subways on your trail. I have to watch myself, and be vice versa. I never know what that [Chronis] proved her point utterly fearless and working too. “The Get Naked Project” Chronis: They were great. diligent, and be careful not to will happen.” (at the end of the video she very hard to make her point of was born. Now by this point, They stayed the whole time. It get sucked up into it, because it Chronis has made some im - [Chronis] says the woman view known to as many people Chronis had heard of other was a lot longer than what you is so prevalent and innocuous pact on the New York art scene yelling at her is ‘naked’)…I say, as possible. What Katherine is artists who went naked in public saw. They stayed the whole that I know I have programs in and has been interviewed by put them on display…make doing may never be art but she but they were all men and they time. And people do that to me that I can't even fathom. I'm academics for some upcoming them realize…their ‘art’ has no has planted her two feet did not really stop to engage make sure that the authorities really into eradicating pro - volumes on modern artists. But meaning.” squarely on the earth and she is those around them. know that there is support for grams. Some programs that I in truth not everyone sees what I do not see what Katherine telling the truth as she under - Katherine Chronis began all people like me and God bless know are not mine, I want to Chronis is doing as art. On the Chronis is engaged in as art be - stands it. this at the age of 35 and has not those people. I love those peo - keep - but I don't want all of blog, (for those of you not fa - cause no matter what she does stopped but only increased her ple.” them. And I do want to know miliar with computer jargon, a during one of her performances [email protected] work. During this period Chro - Now, Katherine Chronis is no what's in me. It's a very arduous nis has added role-playing and lightweight when it comes to task. The more distractions or costumes, in the sense of hats, ‘performing’ her art. Chronis has things that are not important to jewelry, umbrellas and whatnot appeared naked at New York me that I can keep out of my but never clothes. In her role- City’s Grand Central Station and life, the better. But, you know, I playing Chronis asks for direc - some of the busiest streets in say to the people that are dis - GIVE A GIFT FOR LIFE tions, mails a letter, and uses Chicago. She’s even been ar - turbed by a naked person, peo - conversational devices to en - rested in Texas, serving jail time ple are disturbed by them too, gage those around her for as for indecent exposure all for the that this is the beauty of living long as possible. sake of her art. Chronis’ focus with a whole bunch of different So, what exactly, does Chro - on images and the body is people together Kids will learn: nis think she is doing and why? clearly concerned with under - (www.lumpen.com).” 1) Vocabulary related In an extended interview, with standing how external images A KNIGHT WITHOUT ARMOR someone called Edmar, on the become incorporated or ab - Katherine Chronis attests to their daily experiences Lumpen Newsletter website, sorbed into the average individ - that her performative art serves 2) To understand and participate www.lumpen.com, Chronis ze - in family conversations in Greek ros in on what might be called the philosophical base of her 3) To read and write in Greek - performative work: a “beginner’s exposure” Chronis: It's fear. It's fear that keeps people hidden. And I don't think there is anything GREEK FOR KIDS COURSE COMES WITH: wrong with masks or dressings 1) A key book (in Greek, English & Phonetics) or playing roles at all. I think GREEK 2) A CD covering the book it's very useful. But we all are limited as individuals and only 3) Four Companion /Activity Books, in Greek, together can we get a full view - FOR KIDS colorfully illustrated point. I'm here to say that my 4) A CD with the best of Greek kids’ songs rawness and my not willing to www.GreekKitchennyc.com A HOmE STuDy fOr * (Include names & ages of children when accept what I am supposed to be from anybody else makes me CHilDrEN AGES 3-7 ordering) a target for others. So it's basi - cally just showing myself. If you notice in the video, I Instructor: Helen Dumas don't do anything. I'm just Authority in teaching Greek as 2nd language there... To order: Checks/money orders for Edmar: And that's the beauty Payable to: - Native of Greece; UCLA credentialed Teacher of it. You're just doing the every - day, public and mundane things HElEN DumAS - Director of GREEK EDUCATION for W. US for 25 Years that people do in life... walking P.O.Box 1553, $ Torrance, CA 90505 - Nationally recognized as "The teacher of the Year in USA" to the subway, shopping for gro - 69 ceries, strolling down a street. + 310.373.0808 - Internationally recognized by the Greek government, and Chronis: But it's my image $10 S&H - From the Greek Orthodox Church in America, Helen was that people are perturbed by. E-Mail: [email protected] Not my actuality, not my ac - Website: www.speakgreeknow.com awarded "The Medal of Saint Paul" - the highest honor tions, it's not what I'm doing. It's not my belief system, really; 6 OBITUARIES CLASSIFIEDS THE NATIONAL HERALD, SEPTEMBER 24-30, 2011 Nick Kastrantas, the Fascinating Man Behind Metro Detroit Restaurant Paintings

By Sylvia Rector trooper who participated in four were killed or wounded. Kastran - mandy invasion. His fourth com - asked him what he was doing Detroit Free Press combat jumps, including D-Day. tas came through without a bat jump was into Holland in now, and he said 'I'm painting,' In preparation for the invasion, scratch; family friend Pete September 1944, an operation and that's when I started doing If you've ever studied the his artistic skills were used to Drossos says he was one of only depicted in the movie "A Bridge the murals." The first one was in scenes of Athens on the walls at help map the terrain and identify six original PIR members who Too Far." 1983 or '84; it was followed by a Leo's Coney Island or admired landing zones for airborne forces came home uninjured. After the war, Kastrantas re - about 22 others for Leo's alone. the painting of the winged horse in the invasion of Europe. As recounted in the Harper turned home to study art at the A member of the St. Nicholas in the dining room of New He was born in Pittsburgh, Collins book "Combat Jump," by University of Pittsburgh and Greek Orthodox Church in Troy, Parthenon in Greektown, you've moved to Greece at age 2 with Ed Ruggero, Kastrantas was on came to Detroit in 1950 with his Kastrantas was well-known in seen the handiwork of artist Nick his family, and returned at 19 af - the same plane as Gavin when wife, Anita Pranis, to work for a the Greek-American community Kastrantas. ter a stint in the Greek Army, the 505th jumped into Sicily in company that did catalogs for and received the Hellenic Her - He painted the wall-size bull - where he learned map making. July 1943 -- the first paratrooper Ford Motor Co. He later became itage Award in 2008. fighters and horsemen at Pancho He was drafted by the U.S. invasion in U.S. history. The sec - a freelancer, doing fine-art por - "He was a very nice guy. ... Villa's in Sterling Heights, Army when the war started and ond jump was into Salerno, Italy, traits and landscapes as well as He loved America," Stassinopou - brought color to the atrium of was handpicked by then-Col. three months later. a wide range of commercial jobs; los said last week. Fishbone's downtown and, at James Gavin for the 505th Para - As U.S. forces prepared for D- among his signs and logos is Na - I'd never known who did Greek Islands Coney in Birming - chute Infantry Regiment (PIR) of Day, Kastrantas was flown in the tional Coney Island's cartoon many of the original, hand- ham, reimagined Michelangelo's the 82nd Airborne Division -- plexiglass nose of a B-52 bomber chef holding aloft a hot dog. painted murals I've seen at "Creation" by floating a hot dog America's first airborne division. over the coast of Normandy so Leo Stassinopoulos, founder coneys around Detroit. But I between the outstretched finger - His family says he was selected he could get a firsthand look at of the Leo's Coney Island chain, would never have imagined it tips of God and Adam. not only for his map-making the terrain, his family says. He says he met Kastrantas almost was anyone with a story like Kas - His murals have cheered and skills but because he spoke five then helped make three-dimen - 30 years ago. "He used to come trantas'. entertained us for decades in languages and had some knowl - Nick Kastrantas sional sculptures of the planned in for coffee and we started talk - Now, I'll be looking for his sig - restaurants all over metro De - edge of two others. paratrooper landing zones. ing. ... He was 50-something nature, and I'll tell whoever is troit, yet most of us never knew "He was 6 feet tall with dark And he was incredibly lucky. On D-Day in June 1944, his years old. He was like my across the table from me about his name or his history. hair. He was a very handsome The 505th was the only regi - family says, he landed in the grandpa," Stassinopoulos recalls. the handsome Greek-American Kastrantas of Royal Oak, who man, even as he aged," says his ment to make four combat jumps backyard of a house in German- "He was my hero. He told me soldier, artist and father who did died Aug. 31 at age 91, was a daughter, Ann Kastrantas Ser - and, on average, a third of the occupied Ste. Mere-Eglise, the all these stories in World War II, the work. decorated World War II para - afin. "He was very charismatic." men who jumped each time first town liberated in the Nor - with the Germans and all. ... I I hope you will, too.

DEATHS n DALACAS, ANTHONY Hospital, Mount Sinai Hospital n LEONTIS, STEVE the VA Medical Center after a neral arrangements were by Greek Orthodox Church. Memo - LAS VEGAS, Nevada - The Las and the Resident Tower at the (EFSTATHEOS) MICHAEL brief Illness. Andrew was born Beinhauers, who hosted the Tris - rial contributions may be made Vegas Review-Journal reported Museum of Modern Art. In re - BIRMINGHAM, Alabama.- The in Manhattan, NYC, but was agion Service. The Funeral Ser - to Holy Cross Greek Orthodox that Anthony "Tony" Dalacas, 80, cent years while in Tucson, Birmingham News reported that raised in Sparta, Greece, where vice was held at Holy Cross Church. passed away Sept. 11, 2011, af - Duke was instrumental in cre - Leontis, Steve (Efstatheos) he attended the University of ter a long and courageous battle ating and personally leading Michael, born November 27, Athens. During the invasion of with lymphoma. Tony was born "Duke's Road Runners"; a robust 1931 in Birmingham, AL passed Greece during WWII, his uncle CLASSIFIEDS July 16, 1931, in the small vil - mountain trail hiking troupe away September 10, 2011. He sent him to Watertown for safe lage of Petrina, Arcadia, Greece, that explored the beautiful was a graduate of Phillips High keeping, where he met his future and immigrated to America in mountain trails surrounding School and Birmingham South - wife, Christine. In 1942, he was HELP WANTED sions. E-mail resume and cover 1951, after enduring the horrors Tucson. His personality at - ern College. After graduating, he inducted in the U.S. Army serv - letter to [email protected] or of World War II and the civil war tracted new friends, especially attended the New York Institute ing in the Pacific Theater under We’re Looking for Good Writers! fax to : (718) 472-0510 in his beloved homeland. After in Sonoran Terrace Apartments of Finance in New York City and General McArthur. Andrew living a few years with family in where he resided. He will be became a stockbroker with owned and operated the Sun Ray TNH offers an opportunity for Danbury, Conn., Tony was in - greatly missed by all, but will Courts & Co. in 1957 in Birm - Restaurant with his wife on enterprising college students or FUNERAL HOMES ducted into the U.S. Army, always be in our hearts and ingham. After retiring from the South Salina St. He also was recent graduates, particularly where he was a paratrooper in memories. At his request there brokerage business in 1971, he manager of Patrick's Dry Clean - those with liberal arts or jour - ANTONOPOULOS the 101st Airborne Division. will be no formal services. The went into business for himself as ers until he retired at age 74. He nalism backgrounds, or good FUNERAL HOME, INC. Though Tony was invited to at - family gives heartfelt thanks to owner/operator of the Steve enjoyed bowling and being with writers around the United States, Konstantinos Antonopoulos - tend the Officer's Academy, he the entire staff at Pima Commu - Leontis Smokehouse Restaurant his family. He was a member of including those with experience, Funeral Director felt he was not suited for career nity College Library, UMC, Casa retiring again in 1984. However, St. Sophia's Greek Orthodox who want a chance to hone their 38-08 Ditmars Blvd., military life and decided to "go De La Luz Hospice and the Kan - in retirement he was an active Church and AHEPA. He was pre - skills and build their resumes by Astoria, New York 11105 west" to explore other possibili - mar Place staff for their won - securities trader. Being a devoted deceased by his wife of 58 years, writing news and feature stories. (718) 728-8500 ties. In the late 1950's, Tony fol - derful care and support at such member of the Greek Orthodox Christine in 2008 Surviving are These are unpaid positions but Not affiliated with any lowed his beloved uncle, Gus, a difficult time. To Duke's Cathedral he served six years on his son, Gregory and his daugh - you will have a chance to work other funeral home. out to Las Vegas to begin what friends and neighbors, the fam - the Parish Council, 2 years of ter-in-law, Robin of Camillus; with our staff as well as offer sto - would become a lifetime career ily extends their deepest thanks which he served as its president. grandchildren, Andrew III and ries of your own about what’s APOSTOLOPOULOS in the restaurant and hospitality and gratitude for a lifetime of He was a founding member of Holly; and great-grandson, going on in your Greek American Apostle Family - industry. He was engaged in all love and memories. Arrange - the Greek Orthodox Youth of Aiden and several relatives in community and get choice as - Gregory, Nicholas, Andrew - aspects of showroom and fine ments by Evergreen Mortuary. America and served on its Na - Greece. Services: 11 a.m. Thurs - signments to help you develop Funeral Directors of dining operations and was also tional Council. He was also a day at St. Sophia's Greek Ortho - or enhance your career. Please RIVERDALE a restaurateur. Tony was ex - n HOWLEY, PHILIP member of AHEPA Chapter #3 dox Church. Interment will be send resumes and a sample of FUNERAL HOME Inc. tremely proud of his Greek her - EWING, N.J. – The Trentonian for over 50 years. He was pre - in Oakwood Cemetery. Contribu - your writing, and story ideas, to 5044 Broadway itage and never forgot where he reported that Philip Howley Sr., ceded in death by his parents, tion to the Elevator Fund of St. english.edition@thenationalher - New York, NY 10034 came from. He also deeply loved 80, of Ewing, died Friday, Sept. Michial & Maria Leontis, and his Sophia's Church. Greenleaf Fu - ald.com (212) 942-4000 America, was very proud to have 9, 2011, at home surrounded by wife of 48 years Kiki r. Leontis. neral Homes, Inc. 2/06-26 Toll Free 1-888-GAPOSTLE served his adopted country and his loving family. Born in Tren - He is survived by his children CONSTANTINIDES was a true American patriot. ton and a lifelong area resident, Maria Baird (Brian), Michael E. n SOFIS, LUCY LEADING GREEK AMERICAN FUNERAL PARLOR Co. However, Tony was most proud Philip was a U.S. Air Force vet - Leontis II, and Nicole Wood PITTSBURGH, Penn. – The Post- NEWSPAPER SEEKS (718) 745-1010 of his family, which he consid - eran of the Korean War. A gifted (Rhett, Jr.); sister, Adreanna (Di - Gazette reported that Lucy Full-time AD sales representa - Services in all localities - ered his greatest accomplish - writer and journalist, he worked ane) Morris; grandchildren Sofis,100, of Mt. Lebanon, died tives for both GREEK and ENG - Low cost shipping to Greece ment. Tony was preceded in for many years at Arndt, Pre - Alexis Baird, Ella Wood and peacefully on August 19. She LISH language publications. Ap - death by his parents, Demetrios ston, Chapin and Kean Advertis - Nicholas Wood; cousins Dena was the wife of the late George plicants should have some sales LITRAS FUNERAL HOME and Eleni; and his brother, Dean ing in Philadelphia. Later, Philip Leontis White, Murray White P. Sofis, owner of Sofis Corners and/or marketing experience. Bi- ARLINGTON Dalacas. He is survived by his went into education and retired (Pat), Christy Arden (Ken) and Restaurant and was preceded in lingual command of both lan - BENSON DOWD, INC wife, of 50 years, Eugenia; son, from the Ewing Board of Educa - numerous relatives in Corfu, death by two sons, Epaminondas guages preferred. This positions FUNERAL HOME Demetrios Dalacas; daughter tion where he had been a vice Kerkyra, and Ithaca Greece. The "Rick" and George G., both of Mt. offers base salary, plus com - 83-15 Parsons Blvd., and son-in-law, Elene and principal at Ewing High School family wishes to acknowledge Lebanon. She is the mother of misand/or marketing experi - Jamaica, NY 11432 George Mylordos; granddaugh - and also at Fisher Middle their gratitude to Joyce Darby Thomas of Milan, Italy and Con - ence. Fluency with computer use (718) 858-4434 ter, Evyenia Mylordos; sister-in- School.Philip received his bach - for her many years of faithful stantine of Scottsdale, AZ and offers base salary, plus commis - • (800) 245-4872 law, Eleni Dalacas; brothers, elor's degree from the University and dedicated service. And to the grandmother of George T. of Nick (Georgia) Dalacas; sisters, of Penn, a master's degree from Hope Hospice, Inc. with a special Virginia, Alexandra of Bridge - Sofia Konsolakis, Georgia Rider University, MBA from thank you to Brenda Wilson, RN hampton, N.Y., Diana of Mt. TO PlACE yOur ClASSifiED AD, CAll: (718) 784-5255, Mbourliaskos and Pagona Vakos; Drexel University and a doctor - and Tonya Kornowics, RN. Visi - Lebanon, Christopher of San ExT. 106, E-mAil: classifieds@ thenationalherald.com cousins Pete George, Bill Tzortzis ate from Rutgers University. Son tation was held Monday, Septem - Francisco and Heidi of Mt. and John Georgis; and many of the late Oscar and Julia Latoof ber 12 followed by a Trisagion Lebanon and the great-grand - nieces and nephews. Anthony Howley; he is survived by his service. The funeral was held mother of six. Lucy came to Pitts - REAL ESTATE Dalacas was a true Greek, a loving wife of 56 years, Betty Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at burgh as a young bride at the proud American patriot a good Nasife Howley; a son and the Greek Orthodox Cathedral, age of 15 1/2, from Epirus, friend and a beloved family daughter-in-law, Philip Jr. and 307 South 19th St. Father Paul Greece in 1926. Born in Asia Mi - man. His quick wit, big heart Debra Howley of Sea Girt, N.J.; Costopoulos officiating. A Mercy nor, her family escaped to Epirus and true grit will be sorely a daughter, Renee Howley of Meal followed at the Church Ed - in 1914 during the persecution missed. A viewing was held Fri - Scottsdale, Ariz.; two sisters and ucation Building. In lieu of flow - of Christian minorities in the day, Sept. 16, and a Trisagion a brother-in-law, Alberta Howley ers, donations may be made to Turkish Ottoman Empire. The fu - service followed. The Funeral Mune of Ewing, and Lila Howley the Greek Orthodox Cathedral service was held on Saturday, Cipriano and John Cipriano of Foundation, 317 S. 19th St. This is a service Sept. 17, all at St. John the Bap - Trenton; a grandson, Tyler; and Bham 35233 or St. Bernard to the community. tist Greek Orthodox Church, several nieces and nephews. The Preparatory School, 101 St. Announcements of deaths 5300 El Camino Road (Hacienda funeral service was held on Bernard Dr. S.E. Cullman, AL may be telephoned to the and Jones). In lieu of flowers, Wednesday Sept. 14 at St. 35055. Johns-Ridout's South - Classified Department of please make donations to St. George Greek Orthodox Church side, Directing. The National Herald at John the Baptist Greek Orthodox on Klockner Road, Hamilton. (718) 784-5255, PRINTED EDITION OF THE NATIONAL HERALD Church. Calling hours took place on n MILEDONIS, ANDREW monday through friday, VIA THE POST-OFFICE: Wednesday morning at the Hart - SYRACUSE, N.Y.- The Syracuse 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST 1 month $11.00 3 months $22.00 n DENGELES, DOUGLAS mann Funeral Home, 2830 Not - Post Standard reported that An - or e-mailed to: o o 6 months $33.00 One year $66.00 TUCSON, Ariz. - Douglas S. tingham Way, Mercerville, NJ. drew G. Miledonis, 92, of Syra - [email protected] o o "Duke" Dengeles 86, of Tucson, 08619. cuse, passed away peacefully at VIA HOME DELIVERY (NY, NJ & CT): passed away after a courageous o1 month for $14.00 o3 months for $33.00 battle with congestive heart fail - o6 months for $48.00 oOne year for $88.00 ure on September 3, 2011. He was the beloved husband of VIA HOME DELIVERY Demetra E. Dengeles. He is sur - (New England, Pennsylvania) vived by his children, Denise o1 month for $18.00 o3 months for $41.00 (Michael) Battaglia, Douglas o6 months for $57.00 oOne year for $109.00 (Carole) Alexander, Alexis Den - ON LINE SUBSCRIPTION geles and Demetra (Paul) Kane www.thenationalherald.com and two loving granddaughters, e NON SuBSCriBErS: oOne year for $45.95 Nathalia and Alexanthe. He is uare feet, 2nd floor 3,900 sq o6 months for $29.95 also survived by his brother, o3 months for $18.95 Chris (Vickie) Dengeles and nu - SuBSCriBErS: One year for $34.95 merous nieces and nephews. o

b 6 months for $23.95 Duke was born and raised in o 3 months for $14.95 Corona, New York from Greek o descendants and lived in New i Hyde Park, NY. He and his wife NAmE: ...... retired to Tucson, Arizona in ADDrESS: ...... 1989. Duke served in the U.S. r Army during WWII. He had at - CiTy: ...... STATE: ...... ZiP: ...... tended Texas A&M, and always TEl.: ...... CEll: ...... believed that sports were inspi - E-mAil: ...... rational. It was there that he as - c PLEASE SEND A GIFT SUBSCRIPTION TO: cended in football as a success - NAmE: ...... ful pass receiver before ADDrESS: ......

attracting the attention of the s CiTy: ...... STATE: ...... ZiP: ...... then Los Angeles Rams. He con - tinued his devotion to sports as TEl.: ...... CEll: ...... a positive to human spirit build - E-mAil: ...... ing when he donated his free Please specify method of payment time to coaching basketball, Rent $4,500/month. b i enclose a check/money order for $ ...... softball and baseball teams. His 2 blocks away from 2 subway stations in Astoria made payable to: The National Herald, Inc., 37-10 30th Street, Long Island City, NY 11101 - 2614 career at Turner Construction in 7 minutes away from Manhattan NYC spanned many decades cul - or please debit my o mastercard o visa minating as Executive Project o American Express u Engineer and included such pro - Location: 37-10 30th St., Long Island City, NY CArD NumBEr: ...... jects as the renovation of La - Call (718) 784-5255 and ask for Dimitri ExPirATiON DATE: ...... Guardia Airport, the McGraw- SiGNATurE: ...... Hill Building, St. Vincent's s THE NATIONAL HERALD, SEPTEMBER 24-30, 2011 GREECE CYPRUS 7 Roche Keeps Drugs From Greek Hospitals that Can’t Pay For Them

By Jeanne Whalen cost generic insulin throughout, default on its debt. Additionally, Mr. Schwan said. A Roche Wall Street Journal but it was sharply criticized by critics of the health-care system spokeswoman declined to name diabetes groups and others for say it is bogged down in waste. the hospitals involved, but said Swiss drug giant Roche Hold - halting supplies of the more ex - The country's health ministry the company began warning ing AG has stopped delivering pensive products. couldn't be reached to comment them last summer, in an effort its drugs for cancer and other And companies in other in - on Friday. to give them as much time as diseases to some state-funded dustries are also worried. Veri - Europeans have been reluc - possible to make their pay - hospitals in Greece that haven't Fone Systems Inc., which sells tant to offer additional assis - ments. paid their bills, and may take payment-processing systems, tance to a country they view as Greek hospitals and pharma - similar steps elsewhere, a stark said that so far customers have spending far beyond its means. cies generally pay Roche directly example of how the European been paying on time. But CEO Finland, for example, has in - for drugs, and then seek reim - debt crisis that has jolted global Doug Bergeron said the com - sisted that Greece put up collat - bursement from the taxpayer- financial markets is having a di - pany is monitoring clients eral in exchange for further res - funded health-care system, she rect effect on consumers. closely, and if conditions cue aid. said. Pharmacies are perhaps In Greece, Roche is boosting worsen, it will require buyers to Early this year, Greece tried more prompt in paying Roche deliveries to pharmacies, which obtain letters of credit before to clear some of its pharmaceu - because they are privately have paid their bills more reli - making purchases. tical debts by giving companies owned and run for a profit, giv - ably, Chief Executive Severin Greek hospitals have large government bonds. "We didn't ing them better cash flow to Schwan said in an interview on debts to many drug companies, have a choice. Everybody got cover their bills, she said. Friday. Patients at some hospi - according to the Hellenic Asso - government bonds. The ques - Mr. Schwan said state- tals now must take their pre - There are hospitals "who Timothy Geithner urged the ciation of Pharmaceutical Com - tion was, you got nothing or you funded hospitals, which are scriptions to a local pharmacy, haven't paid their bills in three continent to increase the size of panies, or SFEE. As of June 30 got government bonds," Mr. nonprofit, "had this habit of not and, in the case of intravenous or four years," Mr. Schwan said. a bailout fund. this year, Greek's state-financed Schwan said, adding that Roche paying the pharma industry." or injected cancer drugs, bring "There comes a point where the Roche isn't the first pharma - hospitals had paid for just 37% sold the bonds immediately. Some have become better at them back to the hospital to be business is not sustainable any - ceutical company to stop sup - of the €1.9 billion ($2.62 bil - He said he isn't aware of any paying since Roche has cut them administered, he said. more." plies to some Greek buyers. lion) worth of drugs delivered Greek patient complaints about off, because they realize their Mr. Schwan said patients Europe's efforts to prevent a Denmark's Novo Nordisk S/A by SFEE member companies in Roche's decision to cut off cer - reputation with patients is at haven't been deprived of their Greek default have become po - last year stopped shipping cer - the 18 months to June, 2011, tain hospitals, but that he can stake, he said. medication as a result of the litically fraught as economically tain brands of insulin after the organization said in a recent imagine hospital administrators Should Greece's financial sit - new measures, which he said stronger nations face popular re - Greece said it would cut the report. "didn't like it." A representative uation deteriorate further, Roche may need to adopt in sistance to additional contribu - prices by more than a quarter. Greece's health-care system of the Greek Cancer Society said Roche could "have even more Spain, as well. Some state- tions. Many are proceeding with The cutoff lasted a few weeks, is ailing in part because of bud - no one was available to com - troubles to collect," he said. funded hospitals in Portugal and budget cutting plans despite until Greece agreed to less oner - get cuts the country has insti - ment Friday. Italy have also fallen far behind weakening economies. On Fri - ous price reductions. Novo tuted to try to bring order to its Roche started cutting off cer - - Dana Mattioli contributed to on payments, he said. day, U.S. Treasury Secretary Nordisk continued shipping low- weak finances and stave off a tain Greek hospitals this year, this article. With Greece on the Brink of Default, More Austerity Measures Levied

Continued from page 1 matter of mentality, lack of abil - repeated promises. ity, management structure, Mossialos also said the Cabi - package and has pledged an - methods, habits and inertia.” net had approved several struc - other $157 billion, even though The ratings agency Fitch said tural reforms and privatizations the injection of money hasn’t with its mathematically insur - but did not give any details. He slowed the slide toward eco - mountable problems and un - said a new tax code would be nomic oblivion in a country with competitiveness that Greece will presented to Parliament and a near 10% deficit and $460 bil - probably default but not leave that there would be a new pay lion debt. “This sends a message the Eurozone as that could bring structure for municipal employ - to our partners and to markets down the EU’s central financial ees, although no details were that Greece both wishes and is structure. Ten EU countries do announced. Mossialos said the able to fulfill its commitments not use the euro, leaving it up plan is to appease the Troika and remain at the core of the to the Eurozone to rescue and rectify “inequalities and in - Eurozone and the EU,’’ govern - Greece. “Concerns over the risk justices that have existed for ment spokesman Elias Mossialos of a break- up of the Eurozone decades.” Venizelos said that said. EU and IMF debt inspec - are greatly exaggerated,” David Greece would announce the clo - tors are due back in Athens early Riley, Fitch’s head of global sov - sure of several state-linked or - next week to finalize their latest ereign ratings, said in a state - ganizations this week and make quarterly assessment of Greece’s ment. further spending cuts in its 2012 austerity program, on which ap - There were no soothing budget. Greek officials said the proval of the next loan payment words for Greek workers, pen - Troika is pressing for cutting hinges. The Troika broke off sioners and the poor despite public-sector jobs and even re - talks late last month after it said widespread condemnation of a scinding employment of people Greece had failed to implement “Monster Tax” an emergency hired earlier this year and last. key reforms that are part of the levee on properties which could European Central Bank govern - new package, including privati - affect as much as 85% of the ing council member Jens Weid - zation of state-run entities and households in Greece and which AP PHOTO/PETrOS GiANNAkOuriS mann said that there would be the leasing or sale of state- has been put into the electric Protesters from a Communist-backed union take part in an anti-austerity protest in central “unpleasant” consequences owned properties to raise $71 bills to insure payment. The Athens, with several thousand people outside the Greek Parliament, Sept. 21, 2011. should Greece not get further billion, but there has been little government said those who international aid because of fail - interest from investors despite don’t pay the new tax will have say because of PASOK’s majority. Greeks. The Troika said Greece’s 20% above a $1,636 threshold, ing to fulfill the terms of its res - a near-collapsed economy and their electricity turned off, cre - The first round of austerity public sector – nearly 1 million while retirees aged under 55 cue package. Greek stock market that has cre - ating the spectre of poor or dis - measures has created a deep re - workers in a country of 11 mil - will lose 40% of their pensions “One must know that that ated bargain basement sales. abled people being left in the cession – some say a Depression lion people – is so bloated and above the sum of $1,367. There will certainly be a relatively un - A CHANGE OF HEART dark. The union that includes – which has left more than 16% inefficient that it’s dragging was no indication whether that pleasant scenario, not only for Finance Minister Evangelos utility companies said it would of Greeks unemployed, and down the country. Worrying included Members of Parlia - Greece, but also for other par - Venizelos, who has said there direct its workers not to collect nearly half of the young, more many public workers though is ment, who earn an average of ticipants,” the head of the Bun - would be no further austerity the tax, which is designed to than 65,000 businesses closing the implementation of a labor nearly 10 times the salary of desbank warned while address - measures nor default, did an raise only $2 billion. Papan - and 70% of young Greeks say reserve pool in which workers working class Greeks and can ing the German Parliament’s about turn. “We have to take dreou, whose PASOK Socialist they want to flee the country deemed redundant will be earn a pension with far fewer budget committee. But he didn’t supplementary measures . . . be - party rubberstamps his direc - and find jobs and a new life in placed at 60% of their pay and years of service than municipal rule out such a scenario. “If the cause of the recession, because tives, controls the 300-member another land. Downtown Athens face firing in a year, and there employees. The tax-free annual (reform) program is, however, of the difficult task, and the Parliament, effectively render - and its neighborhoods is now is already speculation that those income limit will be cut to not implemented, then the basis weakness of the central admin - ing impossible any substantive peppered with empty store laid off will be workers without $6,818 from $10,908 as of this for further payments also is istration has not produced the debate or possibility the body fronts, bleak indications of political connections and leave year, assessing a tax on the poor dropped,” he said. required results,’’ he said. “If we will not approve whatever is put what’s in store for many Greeks, Greece with an unproductive who’ve been exempt until now. did not have the supervision of before it as the major opposition apart from the rich, political workforce unable to help re - Papandreou also vowed – again (Material from the Associated the troika... we would have Conservative New Democracy leaders and tax evaders who bound from the recession. – to end the monopoly of Greek Press, Financial Times, Reuters, again unfortunately slipped off party led by Antonis Samaras have not been affected by what PAIN FOR PENSIONERS professions such as lawyers, ar - Bloomberg, Agence France the fiscal track,” he said. “It’s and a handful of splintered mi - could be a permanent reduction Under the measures, chitects and engineers, although Presse and various media was not a question of intent. It’s a nority parties have virtually no in the lifestyle of ordinary monthly pensions will be cut by he has not yet done so despite included in this report) Cyprus Begins to Drill for Gas/Oil off Coast as Turks Rail, Threaten

Continued from page 1 Minister Erdogan said the Turk - The hydrocarbons dispute GREECE AND TURKEY ON ish Petroleum Company would adds to tensions in the region COLLISION COURSE TOO? ing naval and air force maneu - soon begin exploring for hydro - in the wake of Turkey’s pledge The tension in the Eastern vers, which Turkey started yes - carbon reserves off northern to protect ships carrying aid to Mediterranean was also height - terday about 25 nautical miles Cyprus, in line with a continen - Gaza Strip which is under an Is - ened last week when Greece south of Cyprus.” tal shelf agreement between raeli naval blockade. Today’s Za - protested a decision by Turkey Turkey has also declared that Ankara and the breakaway man writes that Ankara says it to send a Norwegian research Cyprus’ actions have under - Turkish Cypriot state,” which is will do that in order “ to prevent vessel to search for oil and gas mined the latest round of talks recognized only by Turkey, repetition of a 2010 raid by Is - south off the Greek island of aimed at the re-unification of which illegally occupies one raeli commandos on a Turkish Kastelorizo, challenging Greek the island nation, but ANA-MPA third of Cyprus. aid ship, which left eight Turks rights to mineral and gas and reported that “Clinton also said Christofides said the agree - and one Turkish American dead. oil deposits. The AP reported that the search for natural gas ment between Turkey and the ..Turkey expelled the Israeli am - that Greek Foreign Ministry or oil, off Cyprus’ coast, in the pseudo-state "is certainly in vi - bassador, suspended military spokesman Grigoris Delavek - country’s exclusive economic olation of international law," ac - agreements with Israel and ouras called on Turkey to avoid zone, does not undermine or in - cording to the AP, which reports promised to take measures to "any research activity that af - terfere with the UN-led peace that the Cyprus government’s ensure freedom of navigation in fects Greek sovereign rights in talks aiming at a political settle - position is that Turkish Cypriots the eastern Mediterranean after the region," saying the area is ment in Cyprus… As regards the can share the energy revenue Israel refused to apologize for within Greece's continental Cyprus talks, [a] US official re - after an overall solution. the 2010 incident, bringing shelf. iterated his country`s stance, Turkey rejects that stance once-solid ties to a state of deep The U.S. may therefore find saying that the US supports a AP PHOTO/PAvlOS vriONiDES and her prime minister is en - crisis.” itself in the middle of yet an - solution based on a bizonal, bi - A helicopter ferrying workers to an offshore oil and gas rig be - raged at Cyprus and Israel for Today’s Zaman reported that other explosive Greek-Turkish communal federation which will longing to Houston-based Noble Energy Inc. preparing to lift- what he called their "madness “A Turkish newspaper reported dispute at a time when it is try - be reached through negotia - off from Cyprus’ Limassol port on Monday, Sept. 19, 2011. for an oil search," but Today’s on Tuesday that three frigates ing to mediate between Turkey tions.” The Turkish Web site To - Zaman reports that “he said are expected to patrol the east - and Israel. The NY Times re - day’s Zaman reported that The Times noted that “While Turkish government estimates Turkey does not consider use of ern Mediterranean to ensure ports that “Last week, Turkey “While reiterating U.S. support the Greek Cypriots say the there are around 15 trillion cu - military force to deter the move freedom of navigation in the re - signed an agreement with the for negotiations to reunify drilling is taking place south of bic metres of gas in waters be - for now,” though it also reported gion in the face of possible Is - United States to build an Amer - Cyprus, Clinton also told Davu - the island, in their exclusive eco - tween Egypt, Cyprus and Crete that “Turkish Energy Minister raeli interception of future aid ican missile-defense radar sta - tolu that the best way to sort nomic zone, Turkish officials do worth around $7 trillion. Taner Yldz said Turkish naval ships headed to Gaza, while at tion on Turkish territory. Amer - out the problems related to en - not accept the Greek Cypriots’ Ataturk said Turkey should ships could escort Turkish en - least two frigates will escort ican officials characterized it as ergy and economic development claims to the area. “We have dif - seek “peace at home, peace ergy exploration ships in [other Turkish gas exploration ships.” the most significant strategic ad - is by finally ending the 37-year ferent attitudes for the region abroad” which current Foreign parts] of the Mediterranean, After talks between Erdogan vance in American-Turkish rela - standoff.” that they have declared as an Minister Ahmet Davetoglu raising the possibility of a naval and Obama on the sidelines of tions in two decades and attrib - Christofides hailed the re - exclusive economic region,” Mr. rephrased as 'zero problems confrontation.” the U.N. General Assembly uted it in large part to the trust ports of Clinton’s statements as Erdogan said. “This is a disputed with neighbors', but this is the TENSIONS BETWEEN opening session in New York that had developed between Mr. “very important” but the New exclusive economic region, and second time in recent weeks TURKEY AND ISRAEL where most of the world’s lead - Obama and Mr. Erdogan…. This York Times reported that we have earlier conveyed to that Erdogan has threatened to The AP notes that “Turkey ers are gathered, Today’s Zaman year alone, he and Mr. Obama “Turkey called the wells an act them that taking such a step in use the Turkish Navy to make a has also called on Egypt and reports that White House ad - have spoken by phone nine of provocation, and Prime Min - this disputed region would be point. Erdogan previously said Lebanon to scrap… agreements viser Liz Sherwood-Randall told times; only Prime Minister ister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said incorrect.” he would send Turkish vessels they have with Cyprus that de - reporters regarding Turkey and David Cameron of Britain has in a televised statement that That the aggressive stance of to escort aid ships headed to lineated Mediterranean under - Israel that Obama “underscored talked to the president as fre - Turkish ‘frigates, gunboats and Erdogan flies in the face of oft Gaza. sea borders to facilitate the his interest in seeing a resolu - quently.” As the temperature in its air force will constantly mon - cited principles of Turkish for - Turkey says that the natural search for mineral deposits ,” tion of that issue between those the Eastern Mediterranean rises, itor developments in the area.’ eign policy is an indication of resources around Cyprus belong adding that Turkey has said it two countries and encouraged relations between Obama and He later added that Turkey the economic and geopolitical to both the Turkish and Greek does not recognize an agree - continuing work toward that Erdogan appear to still be would start its own seismic ex - stakes involved. The Web site Cypriots and that their develop - ment reached between Israel end." She also said, “Obama warm. In New York President ploration program in the area, Defensegreece.com cited the ment must wait until there is a and Cyprus in 2010 that marked also emphasized the need to Obama praised Erdoan for the site of major natural gas de - Turkish newspaper Sabah which Cyprus solution. Nevertheless out the exclusive economic zone calm tensions throughout the re - "great leadership" in promoting posits claimed largely by Israel.” reported this week that the the Times reports that “Prime between the two countries.” gion.” democracy the Middle East. 8 EDITORIALS LETTERS THE NATIONAL HERALD, SEPTEMBER 24-30, 2011

The National Herald LETTERS TO THE EDITOR A weekly publication of the NATIONAL HERALD, INC. The Greek Americans Who (ΕΘΝΙΚΟΣ ΚΗΡΥΞ), ficult as it was to read the de - the Greek Orthodox Church. Ac - ian Patriarch Mesrob-Mutafyan reporting the news and addressing the issues of paramount interest Perished at Ground Zero - tails, it was very touching and cording to the Turkish publica - and the Vatican representative to the Greek American community of the United States of America. Eternal Be Their Memory good for everyone to know tion “Today’s Zaman” a case George Marovic. about these special people. filed on a plot to assassinate our Patriarch Bartholomew said Publisher-Editor Antonis H. Diamataris To the Editor: God bless all of their souls Holy Father Patriarch that he is grateful to the security I would like to express my and may their memory be eter - Bartholomew by a criminal net - forces which uncovered this Assistant to Publisher, Advertising Veta H. Diamataris Papadopoulos comments on your recent arti - nal. work known as the “Er - dark plan. Let’s hope for a On Line Assistant Editor Christos Tripoulas cles related to the events of Sep - Irene Pontikos genekon.” speedy trial. There are over 100 Production Manager Chrysoula Karametros tember 11 in the Herald. Broadview Heights, Ohio This groups’ ideology is ul - suspects to be tried. Webmaster Alexandros Tsoukias I have been watching the tra-nationalist. This group was In conclusion, let us pray for The National Herald (USPS 016864) is published weekly by television the past week with used by the military to assassi - all non-Muslims in Turkey. May countless programs about the nate minority leaders, non-Mus - God protect our Holy Father The National Herald Inc. at 37-10 30th Street, LIC, NY 11101-2614 Ergenekon Trials Give Hope 9/11 tragedy. It has been heart - lim. Bartholomew. Respect fully sub - Tel: (718)784-5255, Fax: (718)472-0510, for Justice in Turkey breaking to see what these in - The evidence shows that a mitted. e-mail: [email protected] nocent people went through. I To the Editor: list was made up which in - Nicholas J Golegos Democritou 1 and Academias Sts, Athens, 10671, Greece had heard that there were many Justice is finally coming, to cluded our Holy Father, Armen - Flushing, New York Tel: 011.30.210.3614.598, Fax: 011.30.210.3643.776, e-mail: Greeks that had perished, but I [email protected] had no idea there were 27. I wanted to thank you for Subscriptions by mail : 1 year $66.00, 6 months $33.00, 3 months $22.00, 1 month $11.00 "putting a face" on all the Greeks Home delivery NY, NJ, CT: 1 year $88.00, 6 months $48.00, that have passed away as well 3 months $33.00, 1 month $14.00 as telling us about them. As dif - Home delivery New England States : 1 year $109.00, 6 months $57.00, 3 months $41.00, 1 month $18.00 On line subscription : Subscribers to the print edition: 1 year $34.95, 6 months $23.95, 3 months $14.95; Non subscribers : 1 year $45.95, 6 months $29.95, 3 months $18.95 TO OUR READERS

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been. C It now looks almost certain that in time Erdogan’s Turkey will turn into a new nemesis for the USA. We have being saying for quite some time that Turkey cannot be trusted and that her alliances with Western states are marriages of COMMENTARY convenience and nothing else. That has been the case throughout her modern history. The Ar - menian genocide, the barbarisms against the Greeks of Asia Minor, the premeditated destruction of the Greek community of Constan - Christofias (Rise and Fall) and Offshore Oil and Gas tinople in 1955 are points of reference, yet they have not been analysed properly by U.S. policymakers. Nor has the invasion and occupation of 37% of Cyprus been seriously studied. By Nic os A. Rolandis foremost care, everything else fol - fore his eyes hundreds of notes Crete (so, how will Greece pro - The State Department saw it merely as a way for Ankara to settle Special to The National Herald lowed. He had strong social sen - in respect of important issues del - tect us?) Consequently I put for - a long and frustrating dispute. In effect, it was the first stage in an sitivities – he was desperately egated to his ministers, for an ef - ward a Plan, which I repeated expansionary and grandiose foreign policy seeking to turn Turkey I know Demetris Christofias seeking true social justice – which fective follow-up? Is it really pos - many times during the past 5 into the undisputed leading power of the Mediterranean and the since 1987. That was the time has never existed and will never sible that the phrase uttered by years. Under the Plan we should Middle East. when he emerged, as a new po - appear in this ruthless world of former Minister Papacostas: seek an agreement with the Turk - It is a mistake to view the recent vicious verbal attacks and threats litical star in the horizon. ours, irrespective of the efforts of “Marcos (Kyprianou), you have ish Cypriots (not with Turkey) of Mr. Erdogan against Israel, Greece and Cyprus as politically moti - The AKEL chief for 40 years, Demetris and his likes. He be - shifted the burden of responsi - under the auspices of the United vated or temporary in nature. Instead they should be viewed as part Ezekias Papaioannou, was al - lieved firmly that communism is bility onto my shoulders and you Nations. The Plan would provide of a plan designed to bring about a radical change in the balance of ready in old age. I had excellent the source of such a justice, ig - are all pulling out” be the ulti - that out of the net income of the power in the area: away from Israel, and against Greece and Cyprus. relations with Papaioannou, since noring the despicable events in mate tune ringing in our ears, as Republic of Cyprus from oil and Plainly put, this policy, if carried to the end, can not be achieved the days of my tenure of the of - the Soviet Union (Siberia, in - the epilogue of this tragedy? gas reserves a percentage to be without resorting to war. Turkey’s response to the joint oil and gas fice of Foreign Minister. In those trigues, murders of millions of At this point I would like to agreed would be deposited in an drilling started this week by Cyprus and Israel in the seabed of Cyprus years I used to spend together people) from the revolution of refer to another subject to which escrow account in favour of the is very revealing as far as the goals of Turkey are concerned. with the political leaders of 1917 to the collapse of the sys - I believe the President should pay Turkish Cypriots, payable either Not only did Erdogan make bellicose statements, using cover Cyprus long periods of time in tem in 1990. After all, AKEL has a lot of heed. This is necessary, upon solution of the Cyprus prob - words for war, but he also announced that Turkey will drill in areas New York, for the Cyprus re - made it clear many times in the to avoid a repetition of the pres - lem or at a fixed time to be patently Greek, like the island of Kastelorizo, and in the Exclusive courses to the United Nations. past – and as far as I know it idential phrase “but I did not agreed, whichever happens ear - Economic Zone of Cyprus where they have no rights. Papaioannou had disclosed to never retracted this position – know, so take Praxoula and Er - lier. Turkish Cypriot leader Talat President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton are pleading with me that he considered Christofias that if and when the Cyprus prob - ato to the execution squad”. welcomed my proposal and he Erdogan for restraint in his rhetoric against Israel. They think they fit to become the new AKEL chief. lem is resolved, its objective will 1. In the offshore Exclusive told me that if the Cyprus Gov - might still convince him to change course and see where his real in - He was going to bypass the in - ernment would accept the Plan terests lie. cumbent leadership. Further - he was prepared to take it up We repeat, these statements are not (only) political. A strategic more he decided to appoint with Ankara. Our own side how - decision has been made. Turkey might not follow a straight line in Demetris, in July 1987, as liaison ever said nothing. disengaging from the West and attempting to become the dominant officer between AKEL and my 4. The above proposal would power in the Mediterranean and the Middle East, but her goal is party (The Liberal Party). At that entail a protection of our self re - clear. time we both supported George spect and our sovereignty (which And that will present a serious threat both to the weakened Hel - Vassiliou at the presidential elec - are now in danger), the avoid - lenic world and to the State of Israel. tions of February 1988. ance of any military adventure Demetris, a young man with and a constructive gesture to the a bright face, unpretentious, hon - other community which might Stay In Europe Or Get Out? est, kind-hearted and sensitive prove conducive to the solution had all the traits that Ezekias re - of the Cyprus problem. We quired. But he also possessed the would also be enabled to proceed There is a debate raging among politicians and economists in supreme characteristic, which without delay and without any Europe and the United States as to what Greece should do. Should was a sine qua non for Ezekias: hindrance with the exploitation it fight, with everything it’s got, to stay in the Eurozone, or leave Moscow was Demetris’ holy of our hydrocarbon wealth, the euro and go back to the thousand-year-old drachma? shrine and its teachings were the which may be worth $400-$500 It is the kind of decision that is destined to make history. holy communion for him. billion or 0.5% of the world re - One thing is clear: something drastic needs to be done. The I was musing recently, bring - serves, before it is cannibalized present situation is not sustainable. And the more the country stays ing back before my eyes - like a by our neighbours. in this lethargic phase, the more it is battered in the media and the tragic vision – the smiling and 5. When very large interests higher the probability that Greece will default. carefree face of Demetris of those are involved, strong countries do Our position is that Greece should not squander the golden op - years, in a mix up with the im - not easily back out. And as the portunity that was given to it to be a part of the leading nations of ages of those who perished as a wise man of Africa former Presi - Europe and the world. Yes, it is true that the country was not pre - result of the indifference and the As the wise man of Africa former President of Tanzania Julius dent of Tanzania Julius Nyerere pared for it. Everyone knows this by now. The decision to grant irresponsibility displayed in con - Nyerere once said (he used an old African proverb): “When once said (he used an old African Greece entry into the Eurozone was more political than financial. nection with the explosion of elephants fight it is the grass below their feet that suffers”. In proverb): “When elephants fight The Europeans - out of guilt for not doing enough against the 11th July. Young men, who could our case, between Israel, Turkey, Hezbollah and Cyprus, we it is the grass below their feet junta - compensated Greece by accepting her into their “club.” And have easily been the children or are unfortunately the grass. that suffers”. In our case, be - Constantine Karamanlis, the Prime Minister who more than anyone grand children of most of us…. I tween Israel, Turkey, Hezbollah else did the most to get Greece in, acted more out of a desire to could also see the “indignados”, be the introduction of a Soviet Economic Zone (EEZ) of Cyprus and Cyprus, we are unfortunately shield the country against the worst failures of its history: coup the tears, the pain, the bitter de - type communist system in there are apparently rather large the grass. d’états, wars, not to mention neighborhood squabbles and old ha - spair. Everybody and everything Cyprus. quantities of oil and/or natural treds. And of course we all know now that they cooked the books. were targeting Demetris – after I believe that the events at gas (not as big as the imagination Mr. Rolandis was the Cypriot Still, they are in. It is a historic opportunity for a country to all whom should they target, Mari emanated from two main of some people created them, but Government’s Foreign make a huge leap forward. To get into an orbit that, in time, would other than the leader? And I elements out of the credos of huge by the standards of Cyprus). Minister (1978-83) and lead it to greatness. questioned myself, how did this President Christofias: Actually I was the first one to Minister of Commerce, But for Greece to achieve this, three things must happen: man, who started his life as a 1. His deep devotion to com - state that we probably have oil Industry & Tourism (1998- One, it needs to understand that in the “war of generations” barefoot boy at Dikomo village munism and his intense dislike and gas in the sea, 10-12 years 2003). He was also a member that is taking place, the present generation will need to make and managed to elevate himself of “imperialism” had guided him ago, and as a result I became the of the Cyprus House of Repre - painful sacrifices equal or greater than the debt they incurred and to the supreme red carpet eche - to follow the wrong path in re - object of derision. In this regard sentatives (1991-96) and are passing onto the next generations. lons of power, how did he really gard to the deadly cargo. in February 2003 I signed with chairman of the Liberal Party Two, Greek authorities need to deal urgently with their huge end up to be included in the Demetris may be flattered by the Egypt the first Agreement in the (1986-98). credibility problem. curses of the mother, the father, fact that he rubs shoulders with Eastern Mediterranean for the Simply put, having lied to the markets and the representatives the wife, the children of the “13”, the European political elite, he EEZ of Cyprus and Egypt and I of the Troika repeatedly, they are not believable any more. Lying is who were sound and strong at may have found an ally, Israel, also commenced negotiations not only embarrassing, but it is also a terrible business practice. 5.45 a.m on the 11th July and in who was imposed on him by the with Lebanon, Syria and Israel. If these three things are not done soon, the time will come - a split of a second they were con - oil potential. But in reality his Now everybody is running after sooner rather than later - when the Troika will not come though verted into fine dust, into “noth - heart, his inner self, is always oil. with the emergency money needed with increasing frequency and ing” into a “blow of the wind” as close to the Fidel Castros (he per - 2. Oil, historically has been a then Greece will default. Regardless of if they like it or not. Re - Greek poet Costis Palamas had sonally attended the opening of source of wealth and welfare but gardless of whether they plan for it or not. put in his poem “The tomb”: his embassy), the Assads (“we are at the same time it has caused Now there are some very respectable economists who argue Does Demetris “sleep at night” I in the same trench” – my God, havoc, because of the colossal in - that Greece should default, leave the euro and go back to drachma. asked my wife Lelia the other what a trench) and the Chavezes terests. In our case there have They say this should be done in a orderly way-if there is such a day… and we both remained (cheap oil, which we never saw) been persistent and dangerous thing- and as soon as possible, as a way of saving some of the pain silent. of this planet. So he kept “death” claims by Turkey, which has de - for the Greek people by restoring the country’s competitiveness. With Demetris I worked to - in Cyprus “for political reasons”, clined to sign the Law of the Sea Reading is to the mind what They basically argue that no matter what Greece does, the debt gether on many occasions since so that he might hand over the Convention of 1982. Recently exercise is to the body. It is is so great- it will approach 200% of GDP- that it is not sustainable. 1987. From July 1987 to Febru - cargo to Assad one day, as he ap - Lebanon (which has declined to They may be right. ary 1988 he visited often the of - parently promised him. At the confirm the EEZ Agreement wholesome and bracing for the They also argue that staying the course will require up to perhaps fice of the Liberal Party at Makar - end of the day “death” exploded sighed with us, consequently mind to have its faculties kept 10 years of brutal hardships on the people before the economy ios Avenue, near the Hilton. and killed. It also caused crip - there is no agreement) raises ob - on the stretch. reaches equilibrium. They also believe that within a year after de - Thereafter, when Vassiliou was pling damage to the economy. jections too. So, apart from the Sir Richard Steele 1672-1729, British fault, Greece will have fast paced growth, like Argentine did about elected, we spent 6 weeks in the 2. The peculiar way in which small player (Cyprus) we now Dramatist, Essayist, Editor 20 years ago. summer and 3 weeks in Novem - Christofias apparently runs the have the big boys in the game: They also argue that society is already fatigued from a year and ber 1992 for the talks on the country, probably influenced by Israel, Turkey and Lebanon (and a half of suffering and that it will revolt, perhaps even leading to a Ghali “Set of Ideas” at the Wal - the Soviet standards. In Moscow Hezbollah which hides behind The National civil war, if they are asked to make more and more sacrifices. dorf Astoria, in New York. We of the old days, if a directive of Lebanon). Thus they say defaulting sooner rather than later is the only ra - also worked together in 1997 at Brezhnev was not executed and 3. I could “smell” the dangers Herald tional way to go. Go back to the cheap drachmas, attract millions Troutbeck (USA) and Glion things went wrong, he would re - from the very outset. This was of tourists, increase your exports, get the foreigners to buy devalued (Switzerland) during the talks of main seated on his throne and actually the reason why Greece Bookstore real estate, create a boom. Clerides-Denktas. heads would start rolling. Could has avoided for the past 35 years Exercise your mind... We agree that most of these points are valid. It is just that - in a In our talks Demetris was a this ever apply in Cyprus? Could any involvement in the Aegean (718) 784-5255 way – all this is the easy way out. Greece will miss an opportunity realist and down to earth. His the Supreme Commander run oil – she now talks only about oil [email protected] to be a part of something historic, and instead be marginalized. party however was his first and the country without having be - in the lonian Sea and offshore THE NATIONAL HERALD, SEPTEMBER 24-30, 2011 VIEWPOINTS 9 The Turkish Challenge in the Eastern Mediterranean to Israeli and American Interests

Since the outburst of the ably, one raid and a handful of in Central Asia, and makers preferred what had been strictly a secular ful ally to compensate for the Turkish Prime Minister, Tayyip casualties – albeit deadly, termi - secondly Turkish to look for ways to Turkish Republic. In addition, loss of the Israel. Only recently, Erdogan against the Israeli pres - nated a long military alliance to territory offered justify Ankara’s Erdogan and his followers have the Turkish Air Force was con - ident at Davos Switzerland in the point where sabre rattling easy access in the radical policy shifts decided that Turkey must as - ducting military exercises with January 2009, relations be - has replaced the easy dialogue invasion of Iraq than face the real - sume her predominant role in the Chinese Air Force over tween the two countries have of two friendly nations. both in 1991 and in ity that Turkey had Muslim and Middle Eastern af - Turkey and Iran sending a been steadily deteriorating. For The fundamental question is 2003. become disen - fairs in the mantle of the Ot - strong signal that Ankara had almost half a century, from the why has the Erdogan regime On both counts chanted with the toman Empire. powerful friends. inception of the Israeli state, changed dramatically Turkey’s the Americans were West. These are not idle wishes. Turkey has emerged as a re - Ankara had been the only sup - foreign policy and why it has destined to be dis - In the grand Turkey had one of the world’s gional superpower with ambi - porter of Tel Aviv in the region. adopted an aggressive and bel - appointed. After scheme of things largest and modern armed tions to be a leader in the Mid - The two countries shared busi - ligerent posture both in the the rise of the Jus - Turkey was to be forces as well as a military in - dle East and Central Asia as well ness interests, maintained a mil - Eastern Mediterranean and the tice and Develop - by DR. ANDRE the model secular dustrial complex to support as a dominant player in the itary partnership as well as ex - Middle East. ment Party led by GEROLYMATOS Muslim country them and one of the strongest Eastern Mediterranean and changing intelligence secrets. One important clue is the Erdogan, Ankara and a member of economies in the world (in 2010 eventually in the Balkans – in The Turks provided Israel fact that Ankara has moved carved out its own Special to the European Turkey’s GDP growth was effect, resurrecting the grand with critical air space for Israeli closer to Tehran - a policy that policy in Central The National Herald Union. Unfortu - 8.2%). strategy of the Ottoman Empire air force exercises as well as a is anathema to both Israel and Asia, one that had nately, the EU Under these circumstances, in a contemporary context. market for military supplies and the United States. It seems that long-term implications for Turk - states, with the exception of both the American and Israeli Turkey’s abandonment of Is - new technologies. Israeli-made the Turks no longer need the ish ambitions in the Muslim Greece, were at best lukewarm alliances became inconvenient rael and aggressive posture with drones have given the Turks a American security umbrella. World and the Middle East. to the idea of Muslim state be - and hindered Turkey’s plans for respect to Gaza and the Pales - critical advantage in their war Yet, the Obama Regime is still The first rude awaking for coming a member and essen - a leadership role in the Middle tinians has raised the profile of against the Kurds and Israelis trying to woo Turkey. One Washington of Turkey’s indepen - tially rebuffed the Turks. For East and Central Asia. the Erdogan regime in the Mus - have assisted Ankara to develop byproduct of the effort is that dence was in 2003 when Ankara Erdogan and his party this was Ankara quietly and deftly re - lim world. Furthermore, its own military industrial com - the Erdogan Government has refused to allow the US Army a blessing in disguise. In order placed close ties with Israel by Ankara’s sabre rattling is not plex. Equally, important, The agreed to be part of America’s access to Iraq through Turkish to meet EU membership stan - moving closer to Iran. The Iran - only confined to Israel’s policies American Jewish lobby helped missile defense in the region. territory. Although there was dards, Turkey had to change its ian connection has given Turkey in Gaza but is also meant to expand Turkish access to the Ever since the Truman Doc - consternation in the White constitution and remove the access to vast sources of petro - challenge Tel Aviv’s plans to drill White House, State Department trine in 1947, the US has guar - House and Pentagon, the suc - army, long the defender of Turk - leum and gas as well as a part - for oil and gas in the Eastern and Pentagon. anteed Turkey’s sovereignty, but cessful invasion of Iraq over - ish secularism, from interfering ner with which to deal with Iraq Mediterranean. However, after the Israeli that protection became redun - shadowed Turkey’s imperti - in politics. and Afghanistan after the US commando attack in May 2010 dant after the end of the Cold nence as an American client. Thanks to the EU rejection, withdraws from the region. Andre Gerolymatos is the Direc - against the ships carrying sup - War. Indeed, the tables were Yet, this was a pivotal shift Erdogan achieved complete con - Almost concurrently, the Er - tor of The Stavros Niarchos plies to Gaza and the death of reversed, in the post Soviet pe - in the geopolitical evolution of trol over Turkey and its armed dogan regime has established Foundation Centre for Hellenic nine Turkish nationals, relations riod, the US was desperate to the Middle East that went forces and has been in a position strong relations with Beijing in Studies at Simon Fraser Univer - between Ankara and Tel Aviv keep Turkey as a bulwark in largely unnoticed in Washing - to implement a gradual policy a move that is certainly in - sity in Vancouver, British Co - came to a rapid end. Remark - maintaining American influence ton. American and Israeli policy of Islamic transformation of tended to give Turkey a power - lumbia. The Best Hope for U.S. and Greece – Buddy Roemer of Louisiana for President!

Dear fellow Greek-American: ματα ειναι χαλια, ” as our fellow country will regain DOES ROEMER three-way debate among stands that what is happening On November 6, 2012 we will Greeks across the Atlantic do? its prosperity. Later HAVE A CHANCE Obama, the GOP nominee, and in Greece now is certainly out elect the next president of the Maybe not. There is a glimmer on, we’ll get to his TO WIN? Roemer in the middle, telling of the ordinary. Although he United States. It might be of hope – and much more than plan to resolve the Five years ago, them both what their parties does not wish to see Greece de - Barack Obama again, or some - a glimmer if you do your part – mess in Greece, too. if someone were have done wrong – and exactly plete its home-grown talent via one new. If you are like most on the horizon! And his name IF ROEMER IS SO to write that the what he will do to fix the mess? a mass exodus, he is willing to people, then you are probably is Buddy Roemer. GREAT, WHY 2008 Democratic The last time that happened was increase very generously the not very thrilled with the Before you are done reading HAVEN’T I HEARD Presidential nomi - in 1992, when Perot was invited number of visas available to prospects. You might be a De - the rest of this column, you will OF HIM? nee would be a to the debates. His main issue Greece’s physicists, engineers, mocrat who has nightmares know why Buddy Roemer is not Like most other freshman Senator was reducing the deficit and bal - mathematicians, and others about a “President Bachmann,” only the best hope for the Republicans, Roe - from Illinois ancing the budget. So, what did among its “best and brightest.” but that doesn’t mean you’re United States moving forward, mer criticizes the named Barack the eventual winner – Bill Clin - OK, WHAT CAN I DO TO happy with Obama so far. Sure, but also for Greece. But before Democrats. Unlike by CONSTANTINOS E. Obama, and the ton - do? He reduced the deficit HELP? you’ll vote for him by default, we get to that point, let’s answer most (if not all) of SCAROS Republican Vice and balanced the budget. Ever First, don’t simply take my lest some Tea Partyer occupies some initial questions that you them, however, Roe - Presidential nomi - the astute politician, Clinton did word for it. Visit Roemer’s web - the White House, but the might have. mer also criticizes Special to nee would be the what major-party leaders have site: www.buddyroemer.com, thought of four more years of WHO IN THE WORLD IS the Republicans! The National Herald Governor of done throughout American his - read his platform and watch Obama doesn’t necessarily leave BUDDY ROEMER? Roemer gives Alaska, Sarah tory when a good idea popped videos of him on the campaign you reveling in optimism. Buddy Roemer is running for speeches to large Republican Palin, you’d think that the writer up from a third party – they trail. If you like what you see, On the other hand, you president of the United States. groups explaining all of the was nuts. At the very least, adopted it as their own. The tell a few friends, relatives, might be a Republican, who He was a member of the U.S. things that Republicans do then, history demonstrates that bottom line is it doesn’t matter neighbors, and coworkers. thinks that Obama is “the worst House of Representatives from wrong. Does that sound like a anything is possible. That said, who gets the credit, as long as Maybe donate $5 or $10 to his president ever,” and will surely Louisiana, and also served a candidate that the Republican it remains highly unlikely that the job is done. campaign. destroy the economy. You’ll take term as that state’s Governor. Party would be interested in Buddy Roemer will become So it is not vital that Roemer Even if the amount is small, Mitt Romney or Rick Perry over That makes him the only presi - supporting? Isn’t it better for president of the United States. wins the presidency, only that the number of total donors will Obama in a heartbeat, but deep dential candidate that has had them that he remains unknown? Roemer would have to build he gets enough votes so that the spark media attention – that’s down, you don’t really think both legislative and executive As for the media, they love a an overwhelming amount of eventual winner will have no exactly how Barack Obama did that either of them will make experience on the national level. “red v. blue” dogfight, where the popular support in order for the choice but to implement his it last time around – with mil - much of a difference in your He is also a very successful busi - left’s Barney Frank dukes it out Republican Party to endorse good ideas – for fear that his lions of tiny contributions. Be - economic security. Maybe you nessman – he founded his own with the right’s Rick Santorum. him, considering that he openly party will gain more momentum fore you know it, more and think that we’d be heading in small bank which turned a But blasting both sides? How criticizes Republicans (as well and actually field a winning can - more people will know who the right direction with a Re - healthy profit without needing utterly boring for a political as Democrats). A far more plau - didate the next time. Buddy Roemer is. And the more publican at the helm, but it’s not a penny of bailout money. Roe - grappler and for gaining high sible scenario would involve WHAT DOES ROEMER WANT people who know about him, as if you will suddenly regain mer is extremely bright and very ratings – never mind how sensi - Roemer abandoning his GOP FOR GREECE? the better he’ll do in the polls, your long lost peace of mind. well-educated. He graduated ble a point of view it might be. bid and run as a third party can - I interviewed Buddy Roemer and the better his chances will You might be an independent high school and was class vale - IF NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT didate. The resurgent Reform recently and came away with be to make the issues most im - voter, instead. One who voted dictorian when he was only 16 HIM, WOULDN’T I BE Party (www.reformparty.org), a the feeling that he is a friend to portant to us receive the recog - for Obama or John McCain on years old, at which point he en - THROWING AWAY MY centrist party with a great deal Greece. As an economist and an nition that they deserve. a whim last time, without being tered Harvard University. He VOTE? of integrity, devotion to elimi - historian, he acknowledges that What is the worst thing that fully invested in either major po - holds an undergraduate degree Well, that all depends on the nating special interests, and pro - Greece is “one of the great na - can happen? Roemer loses the litical party. You don’t trust and a M.B.A. from Harvard. other candidates. If you buy viding real solutions to today’s tions in world history,” and “one election, but his issues about politicians in general, and you Roemer was a Democrat both as into the argument that both po - issues, would be an ideal home that we must help to get out of both major parties’ shortcom - certainly don’t think that anyone a Congressman and as Gover - litical parties are selling, that for Roemer. trouble.” He proposes two so - ings, as well as matters most im - you vote for in 2012 will directly nor, but recognizing a need to their candidate (the Democrat Suppose that as a Reformist, lutions: first, to use America’s portant to Greece, become improve the quality of your life. discourage one-party rule in his or the Republican, you pick) is Roemer would poll at around influence with the International known by tens of millions of And if like many other Greek- state, he became a Republican an “A” and the opponent (again, 15% nationwide. That is not an Monetary Fund to implement a Americans. And then the “C” or Americans you are interested in during his gubernatorial reelec - you pick which one) is an “F,” unrealistic number at all. Ron better plan for economic growth “C Minus” candidate who wins Greece’s well-being, then you tion bid, not afterward. then certainly you wouldn’t Paul polls at 11% and Roemer in Greece, not just provide the election will have no choice have probably concluded a long That was not the smartest want to waste your vote on has better credentials and a bet - money to pay the short-term but to pay far more attention to time ago that it doesn’t really move to have made politically someone who won’t win at the ter track record. Ross Perot bills and be left with an even them. matter who is president of the (he lost his reelection bid) – it risk of putting (or keeping) that came out of nowhere in 1992 bigger mess later on. Roemer United States because the result would have been less risky to dreaded “F” candidate in the to poll at 19% as an indepen - recognizes the need for strategic Constantinos E. Scaros is a pub - will be the same: a little bit of wait until after he had been re - White House. dent candidate, even though un - planning to unleash Greece’s lished author and expert in lip service to the Greek commu - elected – but it certainly demon - If you realize, however, that like Roemer, he never held po - economic potential in a way American presidential history, nity during the campaign, and strated something much more behind all the name-calling and litical office. If Roemer can that ensures long-term healthy with a background in Ancient then no action once in office, important: his integrity. Roemer mudslinging, the two major par - attract just 15% of the country, growth. He is confident that Greek history. He has taught absolutely none, in dealing with continues to be a Republican, ties will probably offer us a then the Commission on Presi - within 6 to 26 months, some history, political science, and the issues most important to but mostly in name only. He choice between a “C” candidate dential Debates (CPD), which substantial positive results law at New York University, and Greeks. blasts both major parties for and a “C Minus” candidate, then decides which candidates get to would emerge. Second, Roe - served as an Academic Dean at Does this mean that, once coddling to lobbyists and other it doesn’t really matter who participate in the general elec - mer will restructure American two other colleges in New York. again, we ought to shrug our special interests, and he main - wins. And voting for one of tion debates (the ones after the immigration policy to provide His latest book is shoulders, wallow in our cyni - tains that by eliminating those those two candidates becomes primaries), will be forced to in - additional visas to folks from na - Understanding the Constitu - cism, and proclaim: “ τα πραγ - detractions from governance the the wasted vote. clude him. Can you imagine a tions in turmoil. He under - tion.

LETTER FROM ATHENS

After 18 months of lies from $157 billion, but all that has done Socialist PASOK Prime Minister Greece’s Default Scheme Works, the Rich are Saved is pile debt on debt, rather like George Papandreou and his someone with a bunch of credit cadre of incompetents that cards getting a bunch more and Greece would survive and its many Greeks suspect, because ready seen their the decent, and the someone please check the all- maxing out everything before economy not collapse like the they think it includes most every - benefits cut to hard-working, while you-eat buffets in Athens and they default. Being a trickster, House of Cards it is; after five one in the government who have poverty line terri - the troglodytes and bring some Alka-Seltzer and Venizelos chooses his words care - years of lies from the previous long had cozy arrangements to tory, can freeze and trolls who are the Pepto-Bismol. fully, so instead of admitting government of the Right-Wing protect their rich pals. starve in the dark party’s friends will All this has added up to De - Greece will sink like the Titanic, Conservative New Democracy Deputy Premier and Finance because they can’t go on sitting and fault, but the government is he said, “If we want to avoid de - Prime Minister Costas Karaman - Minister Evangelos Venizelos, pay their electric smoking and drink - hanging on to hopes that perpet - fault, to stabilize the situation, to lis, who at least had the decency who has become Papandreou’s bills. Uh, property ing coffee, leaving uating the lies that it won’t hap - remain in the Eurozone ... we to go into hiding after he set pit bull attack dog while the taxes. Greece with a pub - pen will convince voters to stop must take big strategic decisions,” Greece up for a fall, Greek lead - Prime Minister shrinks from the But wait, there’s lic sector that is still killing themselves in record num - the first time he has used the D- ers are finally using the D-Word: limelight, managed to avert the more. Papandreou bloated, and incom - bers. It’s almost enough to make word, default, as a possibility af - Default, even if hedging their Constitution and decree an and Venizelos, the petent. a rich Greek pause while eating ter repeatedly saying that would bets, although it will happen. You emergency property tax on pet lap dogs of the by ANDY The problem for lobster. Greeks are readying for not happen. He also said that can take it to the bank. Just not Greece’s beleaguered people to Troika of the Euro - DABILIS the nucleus of hard what the media called “Blood Greece was being “threatened a Greek bank because they’re raise $2 billion. Since he doesn’t pean Union-Inter - working Greeks is and Tears,” and get ready for the and humiliated” by the Troika’s next as people suffering under do math, he didn’t now that’s not national Monetary Special to that they’re lumped resumption of protests and street continued demands for cuts, deep pay cuts and big tax hikes enough to cover an $8 billion Fund-European The National Herald in with the lazy tax riots because you can’t cut peo - which include mass firings, but will stop paying their loans and shortfall in the economy, but Central Bank who cheats so they’re not ple’s pay 30-40% while Members is preparing a plan to do that, credit cards while Papandreou’s maybe they still prefer the aba - are the dictators of Greece, are getting much sympathy. The bur - of Parliament are escaping the media reports said. He lashed out rich elite friends live in tax-free cus in his office. Venizelos’ prop - going to cut workers salaries an - den of paying Greece’s $460 bil - pain, and decent Greeks don’t at political opponents and the Eu - yachts and drink wine from the erty tax also is being put in elec - other 20% after previous auster - lion debt is being put on their want to pick up the bills for the rozone countries who are loaning skulls of the walking dead who tric bills and as many as 15% of ity measures, which means backs because the rich don’t pay yachts, summer houses, trips and Greece the money to stay afloat, soon won’t be able to afford Greeks already can’t pay those. teachers with 30 years experi - property taxes or income taxes other luxuries the rich enjoy unhappy with the conditions. ketchup sandwiches without the No one can explain why a prop - ence will make less than $18,000 or any at all, which suits their while everyone else eats gruel, “We should not be the scapegoat bread. The tax evaders – who in - erty tax bill is being included in a year. The compassionate So - lifestyle just fine. Fortunately, no although don’t put even that in or the easy excuse that will be clude everyone from periptero the electric bill but since Greece cialists also are going to fire Members of Parliament will be front of Pangalos because he’ll used by European and interna - owners up the line to doctors, isn’t really a democracy it doesn’t about 100,000 of Greece’s 1 mil - hurt by the dictator decrees of scarf it up like an anteater. tional institutions in order to hide lawyers, architects, engineers, really matter because Papan - lion public workers, not a bad the Troika, Papandreou, or Greece is one of the 17 coun - their own lack of competence to business leaders and yes, even dreou and Venizelos can do what idea when you consider at least Venizelos, who likes the sound tries in the Eurozone who use the manage the crisis,” he said. Lack politicians, are costing the coun - they want and nobody will stop that many of them sit around of his voice almost as much as euro as a currency and EU lead - of competence? Now there’s try nearly $40 billion a year in them. Venizelos’ next scheme is and smoke and drink coffee and Greece’s other Deputy Premier, ers are pouring loan after loan something he understands, but lost revenue and all Greece has a big hike in heating oil taxes, ignore you when you need help. Theodoros Pangalos, likes food. into the country – including an maybe it’s not his default. to do is collect the money to end just in time for winter so that the But you can bet that those who Pangalos has been missing in ac - ongoing series of $152 billion, the crisis. That won’t happen, poor and pensioners, who’ve al - are let go will be the competent, tion since Venizelos took over so and a planned second bailout of [email protected] 10 THE BACK PAGE THE NATIONAL HERALD, SEPTEMBER 24-30, 2011 Greek Crisis Exacts the Cruelest Toll

By Marcus Walker he could gain this way was Wall Street Journal time," the lawyer says. The bank spotted the fake HERAKLION, Greece - The first and called the police, who ar - time he despaired of his debts, rested Mr. Petrakis and searched Vaggelis Petrakis drank a poiso - his house. There they found his nous brew of beer and gasoline. father's old World War II rifle, a A note he left didn't mention common memento here, and the financial woes of his fruit charged him with possession of and vegetable business, of an unlicensed gun as well as fi - which his family was well nancial fraud. aware. Instead, he left instruc - "Vaggelis was so ashamed, he tions for his children on how to couldn't look me in the eye," his look after his animals. "Put lawyer says. mother rabbit in a different He was freed pending trial. place from the little rabbits," the A local newspaper wrote about note began. a "check forger." Mr. Petrakis Then he had second thoughts wasn't named, but "word got and called his son, Stelios, who around," Mrs. Petrakis says. "We took him to a hospital. Mr. Pe - felt ostracized." trakis survived that suicide at - It was in July of last year that tempt. But Greece's collapsing her husband first tried to take economy and the ruin of his his own life by swallowing gaso - business would soon push him line. In the hospital, his wife to a more determined effort. told him, "I don't want you to "It was shame, fear, pride, do this ever again." He promised dignity," says his son. "Whoever not to. you ask, they will say he was a "We've been through so man of dignity." much, we're going to make it," Two years into Greece's debt she told him while lying in bed crisis, its citizens are reeling at night. He agreed. from austerity measures im - On his first day back at the posed to prevent a government fruit and vegetable market, debt default that could cause however, he got into a loud ar - havoc throughout Europe. The gument over money with an or - economic pain is the price ange grower. The man called Greece and Europe are paying him a "crook," says a fellow gro - to defend the euro, the center - cery wholesaler who came to his piece of 60 years of efforts to AP PHOTO/NONTAS STliANiDiS defense. unite the Continent. But as A police officer uses a fire extinguisher as a man sets himself self-immolation by the former small business owner, who says "For Vaggelis to be called a Greece's economy shrinks, its so - on fire outside a branch of Piraeus bank in the northern port he was ruined after taking a series of bank loans. The 56-year- crook here at the market was a ciety is fraying, raising questions city of Thessaloniki, Friday Sept. 16. It was a third attempted old was hospitalized with non life-threatening chest burns. big offense. I would have killed about how long Greeks will be the guy," the fellow wholesaler able to take the strain. lished in the British medical strength and pride. in the same rural district. "We that couldn't be cashed for five says. Gross domestic product in journal The Lancet, which said "Our pride is as high as were in love since we were chil - months, a bank would give him Mr. Petrakis turned pale, the second quarter was down Greece is among the hardest hit. Psiloritis," the island's tallest dren." €800 right away, then another took his car keys and drove off. more than 7% from a year be - While some countries have mountain, says Yiannis Tsevabi - When she was 18, they mar - €100 on the date the check be - His wife ran behind the car, fore, amid government spend - higher rates of recorded sui - nas, a local lawyer. The culture ried and moved to town. Mr. Pe - came cashable, his lawyer, screaming for him to stay. His ing cuts and tax increases that, cides, including the U.S.'s over breeds confident, extroverted trakis worked day and night Aggelos Zervos, says. The bank family searched for him combined, will add up to about 10 per 100,000, mental-health and adventurous characters, he selling livestock feed from a would keep the remaining €100. throughout the day and night. 20% of GDP. Unemployment is professionals here say Greece's says, "but when pride is lost, it truck, and would fall asleep ex - Though this gave Mr. Pe - Mr. Petrakis collected his over 16%. Crime, homelessness, data greatly understate the in - can also make you vulnerable." hausted while cradling their in - trakis the cash he needed, it ate emigration and personal bank - cidence of suicide because it car - PETRAKIS FAMILY fant son. He found a job work - into his revenue and margins. ruptcies are on the rise. ries a strong stigma among For Mr. Petrakis, a burly, ing at the wholesale food "Without realizing, we were Greeks. The Greek Orthodox mustachioed man of few words, market and began to save to buy slowly going bust," Mrs. Petrakis Church forbids funeral services a local custom of free-flowing, his own store. says. for suicides unless the deceased often informal lending kept his Finally, in 2000, when he Then, after Greece's debt was mentally ill. Families often business afloat for years. But af - was 47, he managed to combine bubble burst, these postdated mask suicide deaths as acci - ter Athens in late 2009 disclosed his savings with a bank loan and checks started bouncing fre - dents. a budget deficit far worse than launch his own wholesale food quently, including checks writ - A suicide help line at Kli - previously reported, touching business. "We felt we had almost ten by Mr. Petrakis's customers. maka, the charitable group, off the Greek debt crisis, he made it," Mrs. Petrakis says. Some were longstanding used to get four to 10 calls a found himself squeezed be - Life was getting better. friends. One was a relative who day, but "now there are days tween banks that would no Greece adopted the euro. The owned a supermarket. When when we have up to 100," says longer lend and customers that economy thrived. The family Mr. Petrakis asked the cus - a psychologist there, Aris Vio - could no longer pay. sold produce to hotels and su - tomers to pay up after their latzis. Mr. Petrakis grew up in a permarkets. Mr. Petrakis bought checks bounced, they refused or The caller often fits a certain poor olive-growing community some land in the mountains, made him wait longer, often profile: male, age 35 to 60 and in the mountains of Crete. As a where he kept animals and liked bluntly telling him it was his financially ruined. "He has also to relax. problem, Mrs. Petrakis says. lost his core identity as a hus - But the hotels and supermar - "People he thought were band and provider, and he can - ket chains often paid late. They friends changed their behavior," The most dramatic sign of not be a man any more accord - gave small suppliers such as Mr. she says. Her husband had al - Greece's pain, however, is a ing to our cultural standards," Petrakis postdated checks that ways been "very correct," and surge in suicides. Mr. Violatzis says. couldn't be cashed until months was dismayed by constantly Recorded suicides have Heraklion, commercial cen - later. finding himself arguing with old roughly doubled since before ter of the island of Crete, has This practice had long ex - business partners. "He became the crisis to about six per had a spate of such deaths. isted in Greece, but it exploded more and more withdrawn." AP PHOTO/PETrOS GiANNAkOuriS 100,000 residents annually, ac - Mr. Petrakis, the fruit and when it became a credit-driven Through the years, Mr. Pe - Greek Minister of Finance cording to the Greek health min - vegetable dealer, was just one economy in the 1990s, says trakis had taken out extra bank Evangelos Venizelos speaks istry and a charitable organiza - of three recent suicides at a sin - Constantine Michalos, president loans, bringing his total bank during a conference in Athens, tion called Klimaka. gle wholesale food market on of the Athens Chamber of Com - debt to around €600,000, or Monday, Sept. 19. About 40% more Greeks the edge of the city. merce and Industry. about $850,000. killed themselves in the first five Victims once were typically Small businesses had little Now he began falling behind hunting rifle from home and months of this year than in the adolescent males or old people choice but to accept payment on loan payments. Banks were wrote farewell notes over four same period last year, the health facing severe illness, and in nor - this way. In doing so, they were threatening the family with pages of an old calendar. The ministry says. mal times suicide cases often in - in effect acting as banks, lending forced sales of their assets, in - banks had destroyed him, he Police sprayed a man who set volve a mixture of factors in - to their own customers for sev - cluding their home. wrote, and he had lost his honor himself afire in Thessaloniki, cluding mental illness, says local eral months for no interest. In desperation, Mr. Petrakis over the check affair. He warned Greece, on Friday. The former psychiatrist Eva Maria Tsapaki. "This was a para-banking sys - turned to a harebrained scam. that others on Crete would suf - small-business owner, who said But the economic crash has tem of enormous size. It is one In spring 2010, he obtained a fer his fate. he was ruined after taking on a created a "new phenomenon of of the main reasons for the cri - fake postdated check in the "Please forgive me," he series of bank loans, survived. entrepreneurs with no prior his - sis," Mr. Michalos says. name of an Athens company wrote. "I love you very much." Others have attempted sui - tory of mental illness who are Vaggelis Petrakis took his own Small businesses struggled with which he had no dealings. At 5 a.m., Mrs. Petrakis heard cide. On Friday, Greek police found dead every other week," life. with cash shortages because they He tried to sell it to a bank at a her husband's dog whimpering said, a man in his 50s struggling she says. "It's very unusual." had to pay their overhead when discount in the usual way. in an olive grove by the field with his debts was hospitalized Part of the explanation, some small boy, he walked from vil - due, but wait months for hard Mr. Petrakis knew the check where he kept his animals and after setting himself on fire out - locals believe, lies in the nexus lage to village selling loukoumi cash from customers. Mr. Petrakis would bounce when it matured used to go for peace of mind. side a bank branch in the north - of a burst credit bubble and the sweets, similar to Turkish de - managed the same way other in the fall, and the bank would In the dark, she tripped over ern city of Thessaloniki. Cretan male identity. They say light, from a homemade small entrepreneurs did: To get come to him wanting its money him beneath an olive tree. He Suicide has also risen in the island's history of rebellion wooden box. money quickly, he took his cus - back, but he hoped by then to was still alive but, with a gun - much of the rest of Europe since against foreign occupiers, from "He always kept the last and tomers' postdated checks to banks have money to repay the bank, shot wound in his head, could the financial crisis began, ac - Ottomans to Nazis, has en - best piece for me," says Georgia and sold them at a discount. says his lawyer, Aggelos Zervos. no longer speak. He died in her cording to a recent study pub - trenched a cultural ideal of male Petrakis, who was growing up If he had a check for €1,000 "He knew this was not right. All arms. Loan Sharks Worsen the Bind for Some Greeks

By Marcus Walker would be fine in March 2009, when a big Athens Wall Street Journal hospital would settle his bill. But the payment didn't arrive. Greek entrepreneurs, denied bank credit, One day, Mr. Kakoutis didn't come home at sometimes turn to loan sharks. the usual time. His wife, Kalliope Kakoutis, and But their high-interest loans often just worsen son searched for him all over the city. When they the squeeze, and have played a role in at least got home, they found the basement door open, six suicides in the city of Heraklion on Crete, with Mr. Kakoutis's jacket on the doorknob. He says its public prosecutor. had hanged himself inside. Theodoros Karvounakis's Hermes Supermar - Mrs. Kakoutis stopped her son from entering. ket in a beach resort outside town went downhill "Thank God I didn't let my son see this," she over two years as Greece fell into a deep reces - says. "There are no words." sion. He couldn't afford to restock. Neighbors That evening, as family and friends gathered say the market, which used to carry everything at the grieving family's home, a surgeon took imaginable, by this year lacked even basics such aside the 45-year-old widow and told her her as sugar. An extroverted man with a booming husband had owed the surgeon and several other voice, Mr. Karvounakis grew depressed, "a people money. "We were helping him out finan - shadow of the man he used to be," says his cially," the surgeon said. lawyer, Yiannis Tsevabinas. It took Mrs. Kakoutis months to sift through Desperate for cash, he borrowed about her husbands' papers and piece the puzzle to - €40,000 (roughly $57,000) from a loan shark. gether. A group of acquaintances, mostly doctors, The interest rate started low but rose to 15% a had lent Mr. Kakoutis about €1.3 million. In re - month, according to a note found later by police, turn, he had written them postdated checks for swelling the debt to several hundred thousand about €3 million. euros. The lender would wander into the market The wife of one lender had faxed Mr. Kakoutis and help himself to goods without paying, neigh - a list of payment dates and recipients' names. bors say. Some were friends who had vacationed with the On July 13, two men visited the store. An el - family all around the islands of Greece. derly neighbor saw them drag Mr. Karvounakis, AP PHOTO/DimiTri mESSiNiS On a recent evening, Mrs. Kakoutis, dressed 50, behind his refrigerators and threaten him A woman passes by a beggar outside an expensive shop in Thessaloniki on Sept. 14, 2011. in black and fighting tears, looked through old loudly unless he paid, she later told police. vacation photos showing her husband with some "Tomorrow morning I will have a solution," A borrower will get €50,000 in return for plying medical equipment to Greece's health sys - of the doctors in happier times, smiling and danc - he told the men, according to the witness. The writing the loan shark a check for €100,000 that tem. But as hospitals' finances spun out of con - ing at tavernas. next day at dawn, he hanged himself from a matures a year later. The check is enforceable, trol—a major factor in Greece's fiscal mess—the She is pressing for a loan-sharking prosecu - lemon tree in his backyard. and the victim may be unable to prove usury. hospitals paid Mr. Kakoutis ever later. He couldn't tion of her husband's lenders. "I need justice," Loan sharking is hard to root out because of Greece's crisis has created opportunities even cover his costs. she says. the Greek habit of using postdated checks, says for amateurs. He didn't want to burden his wife with his fi - The prosecutor's office says it will decide Nikolaos Markakis, the chief public prosecutor. Yiannis Kakoutis had a thriving business sup - nancial strains, she says. He kept saying all about possible indictments in coming weeks.