Dear Friends,
Recent statements from the Federal Government create concern and confusion. On the one hand Australia takes pride in projecting to the world its multicultural policies as a model of harmonious co-existence and on the other question the right of Australians of non-Anglo-Celtic background to participate in the most quintessential democratic procedure � membership of Australian political parties. Even worse, comments such as �become Australians or leave Australia� take us back to the racist attitudes exhibited in turn against the Irish, Italians and Greeks, Asians and now Arabs/Muslims. Let us be very clear on this most important matter:- everyone without exception must obey the laws of Australia and those who do not should be dealt without fear or favour by those laws. Everyone must without exception and absolutely commit himself to Australia�s advancement, harmony and social cohesion. Having made this commitment everyone must embrace multiculturalism � the right to hold on to one�s culture, language and religion. Australia has not only been enriched in every area from arts to the kitchen but has tripled its population. In any event with over 180 languages and 110 religious faiths it is no longer possible to turn the clock back. To do otherwise would invite sectarianism, racism and intolerance. We must return to a bi-partisan policy of multiculturalism and Mr Costello should remember when he talks about �Australian values� that perhaps the most important one is that of a �fair go�. And on a more pleasant note a warm welcome to the Cyprus team competing in the Melbourne Commonwealth Games.
Ministerial Meetings
The writer recently had a number of meetings in Athens � with Labour Minister Savvas Tsitouridis about the Social Security Agreement and Youth Working Visas; Culture Minister Georgios Voulgarakis about the Elliniada Games, the Parthenon Marbles and the Pan-Hellenic Centre; and Deputy Foreign Minister Theodoros Kassimis about the Elliniada and SAE. All Ministers promised to deal with the issues promptly. Parallel to these meetings a delegation met in Sydney with Australian Ambassador to Hellas Paul Tighe.
ETHNIKA THEMATA
Cyprus President Papadopoulos meeting with U.N. Secretary General has been seen as a positive development with agreement on some new initiatives to establish trust between the two communities. In the meantime Cyprus has endorsed an EU aid plan to occupied Cyprus provided there is no direct trade. This rebuts the Turkish argument that the Cyprus Government is trying to economically strangle the Turkish Cypriots. It should be noted that it is Ankara that has rejected the aid package since June 2004. In the meantime, the EU has officially reiterated that Turkey is obliged to implement the Protocol extending Turkey�s Customs Union with the EU to all member states including Cyprus before the end of 2006. The EU Enlargement Commissioner stressed that Turkey must open its ports and airports to Cypriot vessels as this is part of the European lawful order. Austria has formally called on Turkey to recognize Cyprus. It is interesting to note that only the USA, U.K., Australia and Sudan welcomed the comic proposal from Turkey a few months ago yet m ade no comment on the joint communiqué of Annan � Papadopoulos and the support of Cyprus for funding to the Turkish Cypriots which had been blocked by Ankara! Despite the enormous pressure being exerted by the Anglo-American axis it is becoming clear that unless Turkey alters its policy on Cyprus it is putting at risk its accession talks with the EU.
There is also interest by some Turkish Cypriots to vote in the parliamentary elections in Cyprus to be held in May. Turkish Cypriots have not participated in the electoral process since 1963.
On another front the annual US State Department�s Report on Human Rights castigates Turkey for (1) not recognising the ecumenicalism of the Patriarchate, (2) the continued closure of the Halki Theological College, (3) the illegal resumption of land owned by Christians, (4) the increase in anti-Christian coverage in the Turkish mass media and (5) the control exerted over minority schools.
Finally, for this issue, SAE has written to former Australian Foreign Minister Gareth Evans over comments he made regarding the Macedonian issue which are in direct conflict with the Australian Government�s policy which he drafted. Mr Evans is head of the International Crisis Group based in Brussels.
JOTTINGS
� SAE Oceania supports all efforts at all levels which promote Hellenic language studies. As such SAE Oceania has donated the sum of $10,000 towards the establishment of a Foundation of Modern Greek Studies in South Australia. Further, SAE Oceania has purchased and will distribute for free to all schools that teach Greek a Greek English visual dictionary. The Regional Council is also looking at distributing a unique DVD to every Greek language student in Oceania. Meanwhile the Sturt Street Community School in Adelaide (supported by the Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia and the South Australian and Hellenic Ministries of Education) offers Greek language classes to all its students. The Hellenic Education Ministry�s examinations for a Certificate in Modern Greek will be held on 16 and 17 May, 2006 at the University of Melbourne and St. Andrews Grammar in Perth. And so as to not forget Ancient Greek � free lessons are held every Monday at Northcote Town Hall in Melbourne (0425822257 for details).
� Congratulations to Tom Koutsantonis and Nick Xenophon on their re-election to the South Australian parliament and to Mike Wran for his successful campaign. Best wishes for a successful term of office.
� The first World Conference of Ipirotans living abroad will be held in Yanina on 28 � 30 July, 2006. For details contact George Vellis at e-mail � [email protected]
� The KEP will soon be operational at the Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide Hellenic Consulates. They will be able to provide most certificates on line.
� SAE Oceania has organised a number of audio � optical presentations by Kevin O�Toole on the Parthenon statues. The events will be held in conjunction with EKEME at La Trobe University on Wednesday 29 March and in Sydney in conjunction with the Greek Festival on Tuesday 4 April at the Customs House.
On 26 March the Greek Festival begins in Sydney and for a month there will be a host of events that will cater for all tastes. Don�t miss it! On the occasion of Hellas National Day Cronia Polla and let�s take a moment to think about what 1821 stands for.
STAY IN TOUCH!
Costa Vertzayias 20 March, 2006
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