This bulletin opens with the long awaited news of the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Australian and Hellenic Governments setting out the general principles for a Social Security Agreement between the two countries.  Negotiations will now commence to settle the details.  SAE Oceania and the AHC have worked diligently with community organisations on both Governments for the past 10 years.  Let us hope that the signing of the final Agreement does not take another 10 years!

ETHNIKA THEMATA

(a) Macedonian:  U.N. Mediator Matthew Nimetz has tabled a new proposal to settle the name issue between FYROM and Hellas.  (His earlier proposal οΏ½ οΏ½Republika Makedonija οΏ½ Skopje οΏ½ was rejected by FYROM).  The new proposal effectively adopts FYROMοΏ½s positions in that the country will be called οΏ½Republika Makedonija οΏ½ SkopjeοΏ½ by Hellas and Republika MakedonijaοΏ½ by the international community until 2008 after which time the name Republic of Macedonia will be used universally.  In addition, Hellas would be obliged to rename its region of Macedonia! World Hellenism is unanimous in rejecting such a ludicrous proposal and Hellas will most likely veto any attempt by FYROM to join the EU if it attempts to do so under another name.  Despite the setbacks both countries are keen to continue the existing good relationship which makes it, therefore, imperative that a mutually acceptable solution be found to the outstanding name issue.
(b) Turkey οΏ½ Cyprus οΏ½ Human Rights:- The EU, after considerable debate, has agreed to commence accessions talks with Turkey but has made it clear that the accession negotiations will be long and difficult with no guarantee of accession.   On the way Turkey will have to implement the Customs Union protocol and allow Cypriot flagged ships into its ports, recognize the Republic of Cyprus, re-open the Halki Theological College and respect the rights of its religious minorities and recognize the Armenian genocide.  There is such a large (and growing) popular opposition in Europe on the one hand and the Turkish nationalists opposition on the other that makes it seem very unlikely Turkey will make it. Even the USA (TurkeyοΏ½s strongest supporter) State DepartmentοΏ½s Human Rights report notes the worsening situation for the Christian minorities in Turkey.
In the meantime Turkey continues to not recognize Cyprus, a EU member; refuses to lift its casus belli against Hellas if it exercises its legal rights in the Aegean (not to mention the continuous violations of Hellenic airspace and territorial waters) and has reneged on its pre-accession statements about re-opening Halki.  It is also ready to invade Iraq should the Kurds set up a federal state in accordance with the recently approved constitution in that country!
(c) President Papoulias visit to Albania was cut short by the failure of the Albanian Government to protect the President from Cham (former Muslim Albanian residents of Ipiros) protestors.  It is ironic that WWII war criminals and collaborators are claiming rights denied to the indigenous Northern Ipirotans.
2.

SAE LAW

After public meetings held in Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne and the receipt of submissions SAE OceaniaοΏ½s Regional Council has formulated a submission to the Hellenic Government on the proposed SAE law.  The Presidium will meet in Thessaloniki on 18 οΏ½ 20  November, 2005 to discuss the final format with Deputy Foreign Minister Skandalakis and the Inter-Parliamentary Committee for Hellenes Abroad.  The Board will also decide on the date for the next World Conference.

GGAE FILOXENIA PROGRAMME

The GGAE filoxenia programme for 120 young people from Oceania, Africa and Latin America will be held between 8 and 29 January, 2006.  Applicants must be between 18 and 25 years of age and have at least one parent of Greek ancestry.  Applicants are responsible for their airfares to and from Hellas and the Hellenic Government will be responsible for full board and all hotel accommodation for 21 nights and escorted sightseeing to archaeological and historical sights in the Peloponnese, Central Hellas, Thessaly and Macedonia. Applications must be lodged with the Greek Consulate by Friday, 25 November, 2005.

JOTTINGS

οΏ½ The AAIAοΏ½s 25th anniversary Symposium was successfully held in Athens last month with the participation of academics from most Australian universities and in the presence of Her Excellency the Governor of NSW Marie Bashir.  SAE Oceania was a proud sponsor of the event.
οΏ½ For the first time in 10 years the presentation of the AHC Niki Awards was held outside Canberra.  The Lemnos Club in Sydney was the popular venue at which Professor Michael Osborne of La Trobe University and Dr Alfred Vincent were the worthy awardees for their long time contribution to Hellenism.
οΏ½ Greek Consulates will stop issuing or renewing passports after 31st December, 2005.  Passports issued prior to that date will expire on 31st December, 2006.
οΏ½ The construction of the new Acropolis Museum is proceeding well and it will be most likely completed in 2006 and officially opened in early 2007.  SAE Oceania is planning a series of talks across Australian cities with a prominent jurist to highlight the event and promote the return of the Parthenon Marbles.
οΏ½ Paul Nicolaou has  won Liberal Party pre-selection for the safe Liberal seat of Pittwater in Sydney.  The seat was vacated after the resignation of former opposition leader John Brogden and the by election will be held on 26 November, 2005.  Paul will be an excellent MP and he has our best wishes for a successful parliamentary career.
οΏ½ The European Court of Justice has formally rejected Denmark and GermanyοΏ½s joint appeal against the ruling that only Hellas can call its cheese feta.  Australia does not recognise the decision and itοΏ½s only effect is to prevent exports to the EU.

Stay in touch!

Costa Vertzayias 

11 November, 2005