World SAE President Andrew A. Athens, in Washington to attend the festivities for President BushοΏ½s inauguration, yesterday concluded a series of meetings dealing with the U.S. position on Turkey and Cyprus, Omogeneia issues in Albania and SAEοΏ½s medical program.

οΏ½It was a very productive visit, especially in planning Omogeneia actions on Cyprus,οΏ½ Mr. Athens stated.  οΏ½At the meeting with the officers of the major Cypriot organizations we decided to focus on a short-term, intensive effort in anticipation of the October deadline Turkey is facing on the future of its discussions with the European Union.οΏ½ The meeting was requested by PSEKA President Phil Christopher and attended by Cyprus Federation of America President Panicos Papanicolaou and former president Savvas Tsivicos; Greek Ambassador George Savvaidis and Cypriot Ambassador Evripides Evriviadis.

At a dinner hosted by Mr. Athens and Andrew Manatos of the Coordinated Effort of Hellenes, the Omogeneia honored his Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America.  Among about 50 invitees were Congressman Bilirakis and State Department and National Security Council officials, including Undersecretary Barbara Pope, and USAID Director Andrew Natsios.

During his visit to Washington, Mr. Athens also presented reports on the Primary Health Care Initiative to USAID Director Natsios and Ambassador for Humanitarian Assistance Tom Adams. The development agency supports SAEοΏ½s health care program for Hellenes and recently utilized PHCI to upgrade health care stations in Armenia and Georgia.

After the visit to Washington, Mr. Athens is scheduled to fly to Thessaloniki where he will participate in the commemoration of the Memorial Day honoring Greek victims of the Holocaust.