O C V Bringing the news ΓΡΑΦΕΙ ΤΗΝ ΙΣΤΟΡΙΑ ΤΟΥ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΣΜΟΥ to generations of ΑΠΟ ΤΟ 1915 The National Herald Greek Americans A WEEKLY GREEK AMERICAN PUBLICATION c v www.thenationalherald.com VOL. 11, ISSUE 528 November 24, 2007 $1.00 GREECE: 1.75 EURO Greece, Turkey Open Joint Gas Pipeline Project 186-Mile Pipeline to Provide European Union with Gas from the Caspian Region, Bypassing Russia By Nicholas Pahpitis Associated Press Writer IPSALA, Turkey (AP) – The leaders of Greece and Turkey opened a gas pipeline project on Sunday, Novem- ber 18, 2007 that will ease Russia's hold on Europe's energy supplies. Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and Turkish counter- part Recep Tayip Erdogan met on their country's heavily militarized border to underscore the signifi- cance of the venture in boosting ties between the rival nations. The 300-kilometer (186-mile) pipeline will provide the European Union with its first supply of gas from the Caspian region, bypassing Russia and the volatile Middle East. It will link the Greek and Turkish networks, and eventually carry gas from Azerbaijan to Italy. U.S. Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman attended Sunday's inau- Greek PM Costas Karamanlis guration, signaling Washington's TNH PHOTO backing of efforts by some Euro- gan in March 2005, launched by Spreading Thanksgiving Joy pean nations to wean themselves Karamanlis and Erdogan. off Russian oil and gas dependency. "This project will bring signifi- Volunteers load Carol DeCup’s car with Thanksgiving baskets that were delivered to 788 needy families as part of Project Helping Hands on Mon- "It's a great day for this part of cant benefits both for Turkey and day, November 19, 2007. From left: John Zaralidis, Joan Doulamis, Carol DeCup, Margo Ziogas, Nick Manolis, Elias Manolis and Voula Manolis. the world," Bodman said at the for Greece ... It shows we can live in opening ceremony. "This extraordi- harmony and both gain from it," nary project is the first link be- Karamanlis said, renewing his tween Azerbaijan and Caspian gas backing for Ankara's bid to join the suppliers of central Asia to Euro- European Union. pean consumers." "All Greeks want good neighbor- U.S. Ambassador To Greece Unanimously Confirmed Russia provides 25 percent of ly relations with Turkey ... and the natural gas and a third of the strongly support Turkey's course to- By Helen Panarites He brings the strength of seasoned with Greece clearly are important eral for Political Affairs, Ambassador crude oil used by Europe, accord- ward Europe." Special to the National Herald diplomacy in world affairs to a glob- for our interest in southern and cen- Speckhard covered political rela- ing to Eurostat, and Western offi- Erdogan said there was poten- alized world whose stage is chal- tral Europe. The Balkans in particu- tions with countries of Eastern Eu- cials increasingly fear Moscow's po- tial to further expand Greek-Turk- WASHINGTON, D.C. – By the unan- lenged with the behaviorand re- lar require continued attention in rope, the Balkans, the former Soviet tential use of energy for political ish energy ventures. imous consent of the Senate, Daniel sponsibility of countries working the coming years to ensure peace, Union and the Mediterranean re- arm-twisting. "This pipeline will boost pros- V. Speckhard of Wisconsin, a Career productively together. Ambassador- economic transformation and inte- gion. His leadership resulted in an "The pipeline is a significant de- perity in the region ... The silk route Member of the Senior Executive Ser- Designate Speckhard addressed a gration of all countries in the region increased NATO presence as well as velopment, one that builds a new will also become an energy route vice was confirmed as the new Am- hearing of the Foreign Relations into Euro-Atlantic institutions.” the development of relations with energy bridge between the east and linking east and west, through bassador to Greece. He succeeds Committee saying that “if confirmed The strategic partnership of the Russia, Ukraine, the EU and OSCE. the west," Bodman said. "(It) pro- Turkey," Erdogan said. Ambassador Charles Ries, who is I will put my energy and experience Unites States and Greece is rooted He received the NATO Service vides a diversification for con- Greece and Turkey came close to currently serving as a diplomat in toward strengthening our relations from close ties nations share as Medal for his work in support of cri- sumers and suppliers who will all war three times in the past 33 years Iraq. with Greece and working together members of the Euro-Atlantic com- sis management in Macedonia as benefit from the resulting competi- over the divided island of Cyprus, Ambassador Speckhard has a to promote regional stability, and munity. Also, as NATO allies, and NATO Representative in Skopje at tion." as well as over airspace and sea Master’s Degree in Public Policy and tackle some of the problems that we from the millions of Americans the height of the crisis. Azerbaijani President Ilham boundaries in the Aegean Sea. Administration, a Master’s Degree in face together.” whose patrimony lineage stems From 1993 to 1997 Ambassador Aliev also attended the ceremony. "This is effectively the first major Economics and a Bachelor’s Degree At the October hearing he further from the Hellenic Republic. Work on the 300 million euro (US from the University of Wisconsin. said that “our country’s relations As NATO’s Deputy Assistant Gen- Continued on page 5 $440 million) project formally be- Continued on page 9 Acclaimed Director Costa- Fran Fragos Gavras to Film in Greece for Townsend to First Time with “Eden is West” Resign in Jan. By Dan Georgakas next film be shot in Greece. By Evan C. Lambrou Special to The National Herald This will be the first time in his Special to The National Herald distinguished career that Mr. ATHENS – Costa-Gavras, the ac- Gavras has worked in Greece, using NEW YORK – Frances Fragos- claimed director of international Greek actors and technicians. Due Townsend, President Bush’s main blockbuster hits like “Z” and “Miss- to the junta, “Z” was shot in Alge- advisor for Homeland Security & ing,” delighted a film audience at ria. Counter-Terrorism, is the latest in the Thessaloniki Film Festival this The working title of the new an exodus of influential figures who past by announcing that most of his film is “Eden is West.” The story is are leaving, or have already left, the about an illegal immigrant named Bush Administration. Elias, born somewhere in Asia Mi- The Greek American White nor, who passes through Greece in House advisor’s tough and aggres- a journey which will take him to sive approach had made her one of Paris. the President’s most trusted aides. Man Jumps Mr. Gavras said the film will of- Her departure, slated for after the fer his reflections on the millions of new year, prospectively leaves To Death Off immigrants now pouring into Eu- Deputy Secretary of State John D. rope. He believes that this phenom- Negroponte as the remaining Greek enon benefits from a poetic treat- American in a senior-level Adminis- NYC Bridge ment, rather than a realistic one, tration position. and this has led him to create a se- A streetwise, onetime mob prose- quence in which a magician ap- cutor in Manhattan whose driven at- By Stavros Marmarinos pears after someone says that only titude led coworkers to call her “The Special to the National Herald something magical could improve Hurricane,” Mrs. Townsend, 45, has the situation at hand. been homeland security advisor NEW YORK – The Greek American Shooting begins this spring, EUROKINISSI since May 28, 2004, serving during community was stunned with its moving from Paris to the Alps to Supportive Visit a time of bitter debate over the Iraq second suicide case in a week. With Crete – in that order. The greater war and its impact on the fight rush-hour traffic piling up behind part of the 12-week shoot will be in Greece Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis visited Archbishop Christodoulos following reports of a against terrorism, and the remaking him, George Siozos, 27, a Dongan Crete, where locations have al- slight deterioration in his health on Friday, November 16, 2007 at his private residence. Father of American intelligence agencies. Hills resident parked his car in the ready been chosen. On behalf of Thomas Synodinos, Chancellor to Archbishop Christodoulos is seen in the back of the room. In a statement issued by the right lane of the upper deck of the the Greek producers involved, Peri- White House this past Monday Brooklyn-bound Verrazano-Nar- cles Katsoulias said it was an honor morning, November 19, the Presi- rows Bridge, scaled the waist-high for the Greek industry to partici- dent said Mrs. Townsend “has railing and leaped into the thick fog pate in this production, and it played an integral role in the forma- that enveloped Lower New York would allow Greece “to spread its tion of the key strategies and poli- Bay on the morning of Wednesday, cinematic feathers.” Lawyers Host Annual Dinner Dance cies my administration has used to November 14, 2007. Also enthusiastic about working According to the police report, with a French company on a co- By Dimitri Soultogiannis He believes success comes with the a trip to remember,” he said. Recall- Continued on page 5 George Siozos, who would have production was Dionysis Samiotis, Special to the National Herald support of colleagues and family. ing a long day in Agelohori, visiting turned 28 this week, died moments head of script development for “I truly want to thank my wife relatives he never knew he had later from the violent impact with Odeon: “This film is a chance for us NEW YORK – The Hellenic Frances for being on my side all Judge Karas added, “At the end of the water about 250 feet below.