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NATIONAL ISSUES
Leaders in U.S. Congress Congratulate Greece on Olympic Success "Greece Set the Standard for the World" Say U.S. Policy-Makers
WASHINGTON,D.C., 3/9/2004

Four top U.S. foreign policy leaders wrote to Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis to congratulate Greece on hosting "a superb Olympic Games. "In a letter dated September 2, signed by the Republican and Democratic leaders of the Senate and House Committees that handle foreign affairs, they said, "Greece set the standard for the world with respect to dealing with the size, complexity and security concerns in any post-September 11, 2001 Olympics."

These leaders stated that, "Ancient Greeks provided the world with noble ideals, such as democracy, and major developments in science, philosophy and culture. We recognize that Greece has been a great friend of the United States, allied with us in all major international conflicts for over 100 years, in support of the same principles, values and ideals. Greece demonstrated an extraordinary ability to handle over 10,000 athletes from 202 countries, and hundreds of thousands of spectators and journalists and did so efficiently, securely and with your famous Greek hospitality."

They also noted that, "As the Games returned to their ancient birthplace and city of their revival, the world enjoyed experiencing the Olympics framed by the Parthenon on the Acropolis and the ancient stadium in Olympia. We also enjoyed seeing the `new Greece,' with its modern achievements as displayed in the extraordinary Olympic venues, world-class infrastructure and breathtaking, high-tech opening and closing ceremonies."

They concluded by saying, "Again, congratulations on making this Olympic homecoming one that will never be forgotten. As USOC [United States Olympics Committee] Chairman Peter Ueberroth said, `History will record these Games as among the greatest, if not the greatest, of all time.'"

This letter, signed by the Chairman and Ranking Democrat of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senators Richard Lugar (R-IN) and Joseph Biden (D-DE), respectively, as well as the Chairman and Ranking Democrat of the House International Relations Committee, Congressmen Henry Hyde (R-IL) and Tom Lantos (D-CA), respectively, was the second such letter these four have sent to the Greek Prime Minister. In November, 2003, following a number of negative stories in the U.S. press regarding the Athens Games, these four leaders sent a letter to then-Prime Minister Simitis highlighting the positive aspects of the Athens Olympics and reminding the world of how remarkable the Athens Games would be.



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