AHEPA:Supreme President Horiates Addresses Pan-Icarian Supreme Convention

Supreme President Horiates Addresses Pan-Icarian Supreme Convention Supreme President George G. Horiates provided the keynote address at the Pan-Icarian Brotherhood of America's Supreme Convention Grand Banquet, Sept. 1, in Detroit. Horiates conveyed his appreciation to Pan-Icarian Supreme President Damianos T. Skaros for the opportunity. Horiates is a Past Supreme President of the Pan-Icarian Brotherhood and a former chairman of its Foundation.  Seventh "Milk for Flint" Drive in the Works The AHEPA family from Automotive District 10, Michigan, are planning a seventh "Milk for Flint" drive thanks to donations received recently that have raised the program's fundraising total to $26,000. Special thanks to Drs. Anthony and Joyce Kales who recently donated $2,000 to the program. Supreme President George Horiates and Supreme Counselor Louis G. Atsaves visited Flint over the weekend. To date, Ahepans have distributed nearly 12,000 gallons of milk through the service program. ICYMI: A recap of June's "Milk for Flint" drive  AHEPA Remembrance | September Events of 1922, 1955 As September commences, AHEPA reflects and remembers the catastrophic events of September 1922 (the burning of Smyrna) and September 1955 (the Istanbul Pogrom) and shares the following articles, journal pieces, and other resources with our audience for a more in-depth historical perspective and additional insight: International Association of Genocide Scholars: The Istanbul Pogrom of 6-7 September 1955 in the Light of International Law   September 6-7, 1955: Krystallnacht in Constantinople (The Pappas Post)   Must Read: The Mechanism of Catastrophe: The Turkish Pogrom Of September 6 - 7, 1955, And The Destruction Of The Greek Community Of Istanbul by the late Speros Vryonis, Jr., Ph.D.   Must Read: The Blight of Asia by the former U.S. Consul General to Smyrna George Horton Article: September 10, 1922: The Martyrdom of Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Smyrna (The Pappas Post) Article:  New York Times Recounts 'Turkish Atrocities' in Smyrna 1922; Testimony Based on American Doctor's Account (The Pappas Post) | New York Times archive Must Read: The Great Fire - a Harper Collins book about an American minister who saved 250,000 Greeks from Smyrna Fire in 1922 (on Amazon)  2018 AHEPA Canoutas Lecture Commemorated the Septemvriana of 1955 | Media Coverage: The National Herald | GreekNews Online Disney 2020! Make Your Plans Today! It's never too early to plan a visit to Walt Disney World Resort -- especially when its the venue for the 2020 AHEPA Family Supreme Convention, July 19 to 26. Disney's Coronado Springs Resort will be our convention headquarters. Learn More | Book Today! Don't forget to follow AHEPA on social media:

Join AHEPA Today! In Our Own Words. What AHEPA means to us. Join AHEPA Now Upcoming Events & Deadlines   September 13 - 14 | AHEPA Family Governors Conference, Washington, D.C. Greek American News Digest   Editor's Note: Editorials, commentaries, opinion pieces, and articles are shared for information purposes only and do not necessarily reflect the views or policy positions of the Order of AHEPA, its affiliated organizations, and members.   Greece sets out emergency plans to tackle surge of migrant arrivals The Guardian (Sept. 2) The Greek government has announced emergency measures to deal with what it calls "huge waves" of asylum seekers arriving from Turkey amid mounting fears of the 2015 migrant crisis being replayed on the country's shores.  read more | euronews coverage Giannis Antetokounmpo, Greece Stunned by Brazil in 79-78 Loss at FIBA World Cup Bleacher Report (Sept. 3) Brazil overcame an early double-digit deficit to knock off Giannis Antetokounmpo and Greece 79-78 at the 2019 FIBA World Cup on Tuesday.  read more Greece ends crisis-era capital controls Associated Press (Sept. 2) Greece has formally ended the last remaining banking restrictions imposed four years ago during a financial crisis that saw the country nearly crash out of the eurozone.  read more Greece drafting bid for Parthenon sculpture loan from UK The Washington Post (Sept. 3) Greece is preparing a formal request to borrow the British Museum's sculptures removed more than 200 years ago from the ancient Parthenon temple on Athens' Acropolis.  read more US Diplomat Staying on Cyprus, Pushing Reunity Talks Restart The National Herald (Sept. 3) American diplomat Jane Holl Lute, the envoy to Cyprus for United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, has decided to stay longer to keep negotiating with the leaders of both sides of the divided island to see if negotiations for reunification can resume.  read more One Tablespoon of Greek Honey Daily Does Wonders for Your Health The Pappas Post (Sept. 2) It turns out a spoonful of honey does more than just make the medicine go down, it actually is medicine!  read more Lifelong learner UC Irvine School of Humanities (Aug. 27) Carl Lenhart '70  may be known among Boston Celtics fans as "chest pump guy," for his trademark celebratory move; among his students and peers, however, he is known for his passionate zeal for Greek and Latin. This passion fueled his 32-year-career teaching Greek and Latin to high school students primarily in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.  read more

THE WHITE HOUSE's latest news

USMCA Good Deal for Union Workers “When members of Congress return from their August recess, they’ll face one of the most important decisions of their political careers — whether to ratify President Trump’s new trade deal with Canada and Mexico,” Deena Flinchum writes in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. The United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) is a better deal in every sense than NAFTA, the outdated pact that currently governs North American trade. “USMCA would strengthen labor protections, create jobs and discourage U.S. firms from outsourcing work abroad,” Flinchum explains. “NAFTA enabled giant corporations to outsource jobs . . . Unions have railed against NAFTA for three decades. Now, their allies in Congress finally have an opportunity to scrap that deal and replace it with a new agreement that protects American workers.” Click here to read more. “White House adviser Ivanka Trump helped to launch a U.S.-funded initiative supporting women entrepreneurs in Colombia on Tuesday as part of her three-nation tour of South America,” Dave Boyer reports for The Washington Times. “Ms. Trump said the new Academy of Women Entrepreneurs will help to reduce barriers to women’s participation in the economy” and “equip women with the practical skills they need to create sustainable businesses and to participate more fully in the global economy.” “James Comey, the former FBI director who oversaw the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s unlawful handling of official emails, has been chastised by the Justice Department for his improper handling of official memos. The irony is so thick that it’s hard not to laugh,” the Washington Examiner editorial board writes. “But there’s a serious problem here: Comey’s and Clinton’s actions reflect an arrogance of power and a gross disregard for the rule of law. The work that public servants produce belongs to the public. It doesn’t belong in one’s study at home or on one’s homebrewed server.” “Funny, but I didn’t find much about the criticism of former FBI director James Comey on The New York Times website last Friday. That was the day after the Justice Department’s internal investigator, Michael Horowitz, blasted Comey for being deceitful about memos he leaked, through a friend, to The Times,” John Crudele writes in the New York Post. It’s “embarrassing when the public gets to see how news stories come about.” President Trump meets with FEMA officials at Camp David to prepare for Hurricane Dorian “President Trump on Saturday met with FEMA officials at Camp David to discuss the response to Hurricane Dorian. Mr. Trump canceled a weekend visit to Poland to plan for the potentially catastrophic storm that could affect more than 20 million Americans,” Grace Segers reports for CBS News. “White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said the president has been briefed hourly on the storm.” Click here to read more. “Ivanka Trump, her father’s ambassador for women’s rights, is taking her campaign on the road for the second time, traveling to South America to urge nations to remove barriers to economic empowerment for women,” Paul Bedard writes in the Washington Examiner. Ms. Trump will visit Colombia, Argentina, and Paraguay to discuss the Administration’s Women’s Global Development and Prosperity Initiative, or W-GDP. “A major headline from the Department of Justice's (DOJ) latest inspector general report is that fired FBI Director James Comey mishandled classified information. But you’d never know it from most of the day-after media reporting on the historic findings,” John Solomon writes in The Hill. “The internal DOJ watchdog documented, irrefutably, that Comey leaked the contents of a classified memo to his legal team, first orally and then by providing a copy of the document. Some of the memo’s content was then leaked to a media organization by one of his lawyers.” If you took an end-of-summer road trip this Labor Day, you may have found yourself spending less on fuel, Kenneth Kiesnoski writes for CNBC. “Today’s average price of just more than $2.58 per gallon is 25 cents cheaper than during the Labor Day weekend last year, when it was $2.83, and 5 cents cheaper than the same period in 2017 ($2.63).” “Small and rural communities often depend on trade and export markets to keep the lights on and the doors open at their farms and businesses. The new North American trade deal – the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) – is a critical step to improving access to two of our most important markets: Canada and Mexico,” Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) writes in the Quad-City Times. “If ratified by Congress, USMCA would be a boon for Iowa and the entire country. The importance of trade with our North American neighbors can’t be understated.” Americans’ View of the Current Economy is the Highest in 19 Years Americans’ assessment of current economic conditions has climbed to the highest level in nearly two decades, buoyed by a strong job market, Reade Pickert reports for Bloomberg. Of course, with a majority of Americans approving of President Donald J. Trump’s handling of the economy, the left is trying to rewrite the story of a blue-collar and middle-class resurgence. Fortunately, the results on the ground keep proving them wrong. “The reading shows hiring and income gains are keeping consumers upbeat . . . The level of confidence could allow for sustained household spending that remains a mainstay of the economy. The share of respondents who say jobs are currently plentiful jumped to 51.2%, the highest since September 2000.” Click here to read more. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette editorial board says that President Trump’s trade policies are looking out for the forgotten workers of America—not the media elites. “We are told that fighting the trade war just isn’t worth it. It makes Wall Street nervous. Maybe if your job and town are gone, the fight is worth it.” “Drone footage released by the Border Patrol over the weekend shows miles of a ‘new border wall system’ going up at a location in Arizona near where illegal immigrants were seen streaming into America years ago,” Greg Norman reports for Fox News. “Elsewhere in Arizona, crews were installing 30-foot steel fencing Friday to replace older barriers next to a border crossing known as Lukeville Port of Entry.” President Trump was elected by working-class citizens to rewrite America’s broken trade agreements. “One of those deals he vowed to rework was NAFTA, and he did it,” Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue writes in the Harold & Review. “USMCA includes rules which encourage vehicle and parts production in the United States and supports supply chains to use more United States products. USMCA also creates a new labor value content rule to drive higher wages for manufacturing jobs.”

CANADA interesting latest news

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with Prime Minister of The Bahamas Hubert Minnis

September 4, 2019
Ottawa, Ontario

Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the Prime Minister of The Bahamas, Hubert Minnis.

The Prime Minister expressed his sympathies for the loss of life caused by Hurricane Dorian, particularly in the Abacos and Grand Bahama Island, and extended Canada’s support and solidarity for the people and communities devastated by the winds and flooding.

The Prime Minister underscored Canada’s longstanding friendship and ties to The Bahamas and noted Canada’s ongoing commitment to building climate resilience and strengthening disaster response in the region.

He reiterated Canada’s offer of $500,000 in initial humanitarian assistance and expert support, and indicated that the Government of Canada will remain in close contact as needs assessments are developed.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with United States House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi

September 3, 2019
Ottawa, Ontario

Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with United States House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

The Prime Minister expressed his condolences for the recent boat fire that occurred off the coast of Southern California.

The Prime Minister and the Speaker discussed progress on the new North American Free Trade Agreement and welcomed ongoing work towards its ratification.

They agreed on the importance of continued strong relations for the benefit of citizens on both sides of the border.

Statement by the Prime Minister on Labour Day

September 2, 2019
Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Labour Day:

“On Labour Day, we celebrate the workers who have built our country and made workplaces from coast to coast to coast safer, more equitable, and more just.

“This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Winnipeg General Strike, one of the most influential strikes in Canadian history. It launched a labour movement that fought for – and won – many of the benefits and protections Canadian workers can count on today. From universal healthcare to fair wages, weekends, and paid vacations, the movement transformed the lives of millions of Canadians, and laid the foundations of a growing economy and a strong middle class.

“A century later, Canadian workers remain at the heart of building a stronger Canada and a better future. Our government is proud to be their ally and partner. Since 2015, the Government of Canada has made major strides to support Canadian workers – thanks in part to the incredible advocacy of workers and unions across the country. Together, we protected collective bargaining rights, and repealed anti-union legislation passed in 2014 and 2015. We worked with our provincial partners to strengthen the Canada Pension Plan. We passed new regulations to stop the use of new asbestos in Canada, as well as legislation to protect employees from harassment and violence, and make workplaces safer. And in the last four years, we’ve seen the creation of over a million new jobs for people from coast to coast to coast.

“Our government has also made unprecedented investments in skills training, to help Canadians get the skills and experience they need to succeed in a rapidly changing job market and an increasingly competitive global economy. Budget 2019 announced the new Canada Training Benefit to help provide workers with the time and money to improve their skills or learn new ones. We are also making post-secondary education more affordable, promoting good-quality careers in the skilled trades, and taking steps to make sure that in the future there is a work placement for every student who wants one.

“Canadian workers are the backbone of our success, and our future. We will always stand up for workers and their families, and make sure they have the support they need to succeed in the jobs of today and tomorrow.

“On behalf of the Government of Canada, Sophie and I wish all Canadians a safe and happy Labour Day.”

Statement by the Prime Minister on the death of Dennis Fentie

August 30, 2019
Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the death of Dennis Fentie, former Premier of Yukon:

“I was saddened to hear of the passing of Dennis Fentie, former Premier of Yukon, after a battle with cancer.

“A proud business owner, Mr. Fentie was first elected to Yukon’s Legislative Assembly in 1996, and became Premier in 2002.

“During his two terms in office, Mr. Fentie worked to strengthen the territory’s economy and revitalize the mining industry. He also took steps to create partnerships with Indigenous peoples, and to promote cooperation between governments on economic development and health care.

“On behalf of the Government of Canada, Sophie and I wish to express our deepest sympathies to Mr. Fentie’s wife, their family and friends, and the people of Yukon during this difficult time.”

The Prime Minister announces a change in the senior ranks of the Public Service

August 30, 2019
Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced the following change in the senior ranks of the Public Service:

Kevin Stringer, currently Associate Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, becomes Chief Administrative Officer of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), effective September 16, 2019.

The Chief Administrative Officer is a new position in the RCMP. In this role, Mr. Stringer will report to Commissioner Brenda Lucki, and play a lead role in the administrative management of the organization.

Biographical notes

• Kevin Stringer

Creating clean growth and jobs in British Columbia’s energy sector

August 29, 2019
Surrey, British Columbia

Canada’s natural resources drive our economy and support thousands of middle class jobs. Building modern infrastructure and clean technologies in the resource sector is part of the Government of Canada’s plan to get our resources to new markets, spark economic growth, and accelerate Canada’s clean energy transition.

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, and the Premier of British Columbia, John Horgan, today announced a new Memorandum of Understanding to affirm their joint commitment to power British Columbia’s natural gas production and liquefied natural gas (LNG) sectors with clean electricity.

The natural gas industry produces about 18 per cent of the province’s greenhouse gas emissions. By moving to clean power – a process referred to as electrification – we will avoid emissions and position Canada as a supplier of the world’s cleanest natural gas. It will also help British Columbia achieve its climate change commitments, and support projects that will create new jobs and opportunities in rural and Indigenous communities across the province.

The Government of Canada is working to support infrastructure that brings clean electricity to Canadian businesses, and helps create good middle class jobs, a low-carbon economy, and greener communities.

Quotes

"Canadians know that economic growth and environmental protection go hand-in-hand. Today, we are committing to work with British Columbia to help power the natural gas sector with clean electricity – reducing greenhouse gas emissions, creating good middle class jobs, and helping make the province a supplier of the cleanest natural gas in the world."
The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

"Canadians are strongest when we work together. Through this Memorandum of Understanding, we will enhance our collaboration with British Columbia to power the natural gas sector with clean electricity, and in the process, move toward renewable and sustainable sources of energy that grow our economy, generate local jobs, and enhance trade."
The Hon. Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Natural Resources

"Our governments are working collaboratively to electrify industries and reduce emissions as we put B.C. on a path to a cleaner, better future. With this Memorandum of Understanding, we are taking an important step forward to build a more sustainable economy and protect our environment, while creating opportunities for people."
The Hon. John Horgan, Premier of British Columbia

Quick Facts

• The Minister of Natural Resources, Amarjeet Sohi, and British Columbia’s Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Michelle Mungall signed the Memorandum of Understanding between the federal and provincial governments.
• A new Canada-British Columbia Clean Power Planning Committee, which includes representatives from the provincial and federal governments and BC Hydro, will work to advance projects that increase power transmission and electrification across the province.
• The Committee will build on past work including the Regional Electricity Cooperation and Strategic Infrastructure Initiative, which found that opportunities to electrify the natural gas sector in British Columbia are among the most cost-effective in Western Canada.
• The natural gas industry currently provides good middle class jobs and investments into Canada. Just last year, LNG Canada made a historic $40 billion investment – the largest private sector investment in the country’s history – to build a major LNG project in Kitimat, British Columbia. The project will create up to 10,000 jobs at the height of construction, lead to billions of dollars in direct government revenues, and include hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts for Indigenous businesses.
• This work is part of a broader effort to advance clean power in regions across Canada. Earlier this year, the Government of Canada, together with the Atlantic provinces, announced the creation of an Atlantic Clean Power Planning Committee to develop a Clean Power Roadmap for Atlantic Canada.
• In April 2019, the Government of Canada announced up to $83.6 million toward the Peace Region Electricity Supply project through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan. BC Hydro provided the remaining $205.4 million.
• In December 2018, the Government of British Columbia released CleanBC, its new provincial economic development, energy, and climate strategy, which prioritized electrification of the natural gas sector as a way to meet its climate change commitments.
• In 2016, the Government of Canada worked with provinces and territories, and engaged Indigenous peoples, to adopt Canada’s national climate plan, the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change. The plan contains over 50 specific measures to reduce carbon pollution, help Canadians adapt and become more resilient to the impacts of a changing climate, foster clean technology solutions, and create good jobs that contribute to a stronger economy.
• Investing in the clean economy presents an enormous economic opportunity. According to the Global Commission on the Economy and the Climate, the clean economy is expected to grow to $26 trillion and create 65 million jobs worldwide by 2030.

Related Product

• Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia on the electrification of the natural gas sector

Associated Links

• CleanBC
• Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with Mario Abdo Benítez, President of Paraguay

August 28, 2019
Ottawa, Ontario

Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with President of Paraguay Mario Abdo Benítez.

The Prime Minister and President shared their concerns regarding the ongoing wildfires in the Amazon basin, with the President expressing his deep appreciation for Canada’s statement of support for the region at the G7.

Prime Minister Trudeau and President Benítez also discussed the importance of the bilateral relationship between Canada and Paraguay, as well as their shared priorities including addressing the crisis in Venezuela, as part of the Lima Group.

The Prime Minister announces changes in the senior ranks of the Public Service

August 28, 2019
Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced the following changes in the senior ranks of the Public Service:

Ron Hallman, currently President of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, becomes President and Chief Executive Officer, Parks Canada Agency, effective August 28, 2019.

David McGovern, currently Associate Deputy Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, becomes President of the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada on an interim basis, effective August 28, 2019.

The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, which replaces the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, will lead all reviews of major projects under the Impact Assessment Act, in cooperation with other Government of Canada regulatory agencies, as well as provinces and territories and Indigenous groups.

Biographical notes

• Ron Hallman
• David McGovern

Γράφει ο Λεωνίδας Κουμάκης:Η λήθη του κακού είναι άδεια για την επανάληψή του…

6 Σεπτεμβρίου 1955:

September 4, 2019 Capt. E.N.Rigos Λεωνίδας Κουμάκης

Γράφει ο Λεωνίδας Κουμάκης

6 Σεπτεμβρίου 1955: 

Η λήθη του κακού είναι άδεια για την επανάληψή του…

Στο βάθρο του Ελληνικού μνημείου που βρίσκεται στο ναζιστικό στρατόπεδο συγκέντρωσης και εξόντωσης Μαουτχάουζεν – Γκούζεν (Konzentrationlager Mauthausen – Gusen) της Αυστρίας, στο οποίο βρήκαν τραγικό θάνατο 3.700 Έλληνες κατά την διάρκεια του Δεύτερου Παγκόσμιου Πολέμου, είναι χαραγμένη η φράση  «Εμείς που θανατωθήκαμε εδώ, μην μας ξεχνάς γιατί η λήθη του κακού είναι άδεια για την επανάληψή του».

Πράγματι, η λήθη του κακούείναι ουσιαστικά η άδεια για την επανάληψή του. Για τον λόγο ακριβώς αυτόν, οι απανταχού της γης Έλληνες της Κωνσταντινούπολης, αλλά και ολόκληρος ο Ελληνισμός, δεν θα ξεχάσουν ποτέτο φονικό πογκρόμπου εξαπέλυσαν, την νύχτα της 6ηςΣεπτεμβρίου 1955, οργανωμένες ομάδες του Τουρκικού παρακράτους, με την αρμονική συνεργασία της Τουρκικής κυβέρνησης και την ένοχη σιωπή των μεγάλων συμμάχων μας, εναντίον του χριστιανικού πληθυσμού της Κωνσταντινούπολης.

Όχι βέβαιαγια να καλλιεργήσουμε το μίσος απέναντι στους γείτονες που βρίσκονται στην απέναντι όχθη του Αιγαίου, αλλά γιατί όπως έγραφε -μεταξύ άλλων-  ο βραβευμένος Ακαδημαϊκός και λογοτέχνης Ηλίας Βενέζης στις 15 Σεπτεμβρίου 1955 (Νέα Εστία Τεύχος 677, σελίδα 1184):

….Οι μέρες του Σεπτεμβρίου του 1955 μας γυρίζουν στις μέρες του 1922. Βλέπουμε τώρα πως είχαμε λάθος λέγοντας πως απ΄ τη μια στιγμή στην άλλη το θηρίο γίνεται άνθρωπος. Όχι, φαίνεται πως δεν γίνεται. Γι΄ αυτό από τη σκοπιά τούτη εδώ που εκφράζει το ελληνικό πνεύμα, θέλουμε να πούμε την πικρία μας γιατί απατηθήκαμε.

Θα πρέπει τώρα να ξανακοιτάξουμε τον εαυτό μας. Δε θ΄ αποφασίσουμε να διδάξουμε τώρα στα παιδιά μας το μίσος. Αλλά θ΄ αποφασίσουμε πως το χρέος μας, ως Eλλήνων συγγραφέων, είναι αυτό:να ξαναθυμηθούμε πάλι, να μην πάψουμε να θυμόμαστε, να μάθουμε στα παιδιά μας να θυμούνται…

Τοφονικό πογκρόμπου εξαπέλυσε η Τουρκική κυβέρνηση σε αρμονική συνεργασία με το Βαθύ Κράτος της Τουρκίας (1) εναντίον του Ελληνισμού της Κωνσταντινούπολης την νύκτα της 6ηςΣεπτεμβρίου 1955, υπήρξε ένας πολύ καλά οργανωμένος τυφώνας που είχε απίστευταανατριχιαστικό απολογισμό, στο σαρωτικό πέρασμα του:

·Χάθηκαντριάντα επτάανθρώπινες ζωές αθώων Ελλήνων χριστιανών (2),

·Τραυματίστηκαν μέσα σε ανείπωτο τρόμο εκατοντάδες ανυποψίαστοι Έλληνες πολίτες και έγιναν εκατοντάδες βιασμοί,

·Κακοποιήθηκαν δεκάδες ορθόδοξοι χριστιανοί κληρικοί,

·Πυρπολήθηκαν73 ορθόδοξες εκκλησίεςμε ταυτόχρονη καταστροφή εικόνων, σκευών και αγιογραφιών ανεκτίμητης ιστορικής αξίας,

·Καταστράφηκαν ολοσχερώς ή υπέστησαν σοβαρές ζημιές όλα ταΕλληνικά σχολείατης Κωνσταντινούπολης. Ιδιαίτερα η Θεολογική Σχολή της Χάλκης, η Μεγάλη του Γένους Σχολή και το Ζάππειο Λύκειο δέχτηκαν την επίθεση ενός μανιασμένου όχλου με απίστευτη σφοδρότητα.

·Πυρπολήθηκαν, καταστράφηκαν ή απλά παραδόθηκαν στο μένος ενός οργανωμένου όχλου4.359 Ελληνικά καταστήματαή επιχειρήσεις καθώς και3.500 χριστιανικά σπίτια.

·Ρημάχτηκαν κυριολεκτικά και καταστράφηκαν ολοσχερώς τα πιεστήρια και τα γραφεία και των τριών ομογενειακών εφημερίδων της Κωνσταντινούπολης. 

·21 Ελληνικά εργοστάσιακαταστράφηκαν ολοκληρωτικά και σε όσα βρίσκονταν κοντά στα παράλια του Βοσπόρου, οι μηχανές και τα εργαλεία τους πετάχτηκαν στη θάλασσα.

·110 Ελληνικά εστιατόρια και ξενοδοχείακαταστράφηκαν, λεηλατήθηκαν και παραδόθηκαν στις φλόγες.

· ΟιΠατριαρχικοί Τάφοικαι τα σκηνώματα των μεγάλων ευεργετών, τα οποία από το 1850 τοποθετούνται στον αυλόγυρο της Ιεράς Μονής της Ζωοδόχου Πηγής, δέχτηκαν την επίθεση ενός αρρωστημένου όχλου που με κανιβαλική μανία έσπαγε τάφους, ξέθαβε οστά νεκρών και τα σκόρπαγε στους δρόμους. Στο μεγάλο Ελληνικό νεκροταφείο του Σισλί ομάδα διαδηλωτών επί ώρες κατέστρεφε τάφους και σταυρούς. Ορισμένοι διαδηλωτές μέσα σε πλήρη παράνοια, έψαχναν πρόσφατους τάφους, ξεθάβοντας νεκρούς προκειμένου να μαχαιρώσουν και να τεμαχίσουν πτώματα!

Οι επίσημες βέβαια Τουρκικές αρχές, με την μοναδική υποκρισία που τους διακρίνει διαχρονικά, έσπευσαν να αποδώσουν τα γεγονότα στους ανύπαρκτους τότε στην Τουρκία «κομμουνιστές».

Ο Ελληνισμός της Κωνσταντινούπολης κατατρομοκρατημένος, άρχισε πλέον να ζει καθημερινά μια νέα περίοδο φρίκης με τις ψυχρά οργανωμένες ενέργειες της Τουρκικής κυβέρνησης που κορυφώθηκαν το 1964 με τιςμαζικές απελάσεις(3) των Ελλήνων της Κωνσταντινούπολης, οι οποίοι εγκατέλειψαν όπως-όπως το βιός ολόκληρων γενεών μέσα σε ασφυκτικές προθεσμίες λίγων εικοσιτετράωρων, με μια βαλίτσα στο χέρι και 20 δολάρια Αμερικής!

Σαν ένας από τις δεκάδες χιλιάδες Έλληνες της Κωνσταντινούπολης που έζησαν όλα τα γεγονότα, αξιώθηκα να καταγράψω στο διαχρονικό μου βιβλίο «Το Θαύμα – Μια πραγματική ιστορία», το οποίο παραμένειεπίκαιρο όσο ποτέ,  όλα όσα ζήσαμε στην Βασιλεύουσα πριν εκδιωχτούμε στην φιλόξενη Ελλάδα το φθινόπωρο του 1964, για να ξεκινήσουμε την ζωή μας από την αρχή και το απόλυτο μηδέν.Ολόκληρηη τρίτηΑγγλικήέκδοση του βιβλίου που επανακυκλοφόρησε το 2019 από την πλατφόρμα τηςAmazonβρίσκεται ήδη στο διαδίκτυο,μέσα στην ηλεκτρονική βιβλιοθήκη του ΙΗΑ, ώστε να μπορούν να την διαβάσουν όλοι -ιδίως οι ξένοι, χωρίς καμιά επιβάρυνση. Ελπίζω πως σύντομα θα γίνει και η ανάρτηση ολόκληρου του κειμένου του βιβλίου στην Ελληνική γλώσσα, ώστε να αποτελεί κτήμα όλων όσων θα ήθελαν να μάθουν την απόλυτα αναγκαία ιστορία μας που δεν διδάσκεται πια στα σχολεία μας, χωρίςκαμιά απολύτως οικονομική επιβάρυνση.

Σ Υ Μ Π Ε Ρ Α Σ Μ Α:Η σημερινή,Ερντογανική Τουρκία, είναιβαθιά διχασμένη. Ο μισός Τουρκικός πληθυσμός εκφράστηκε στις πρόσφατες δημοτικές εκλογές, κάτω από αφόρητες πιέσεις και περιορισμούς, εναντίον του καθεστώτος και των εξωπραγματικών νέο-οθωμανικών φαντασιώσεων του, σε ποσοστό που ξεπερνάει το 47%.

Με σύμμαχο το ακραίο φασίστα Ντεβλέτ Μπαχτσελή, ο Ρ. Τ. Ερντογάν οδηγεί σταθερά την Τουρκία σε εκρηκτικά αδιέξοδα επιχειρώντας να υλοποιήσει τους μεγαλεπήβολους νέο – οθωμανικούς παραλογισμούς του, βουτηγμένος ο ίδιος, η οικογένεια και ολόκληρο το καθεστώς τουμέσα στην διαφθορά.

Ένα μεγάλο μέρος του Τουρκικού πληθυσμού αρνείται πεισματικά να εγκρίνει την «κρυφή ατζέντα» των ισλαμιστών να καθιερώσουν μια απροκάλυπτηισλαμική δικτατορίατων Αδελφών Μουσουλμάνων και να επιδιώξουν με τη βία και το αίμα αθώων νέων ανθρώπων την ανασύσταση μιας αυτοκρατορίας άλλων εποχών που έχει καταρρεύσει προ πολλού.

Τοδυστύχημαείναι πως οι παντουρκιστές και το βαθύ κράτος της Τουρκίας δεν έχουν εδραιωθεί μόνο μέσα στους ακραίους φασίστες του ξεμωραμένου «συγκυβερνήτη» Ντεβλέτ Μπαχτσελή, αλλά σε όλα τα κόμματα που βρίσκονται στο Τουρκικό κοινοβούλιο μεμοναδική εξαίρεσητο Δημοκρατικό Κόμμα των Λαών (Halkların Demokratik Partisi – HDP)  όλα τα στελέχη και οι ηγέτες του οποίου σαπίζουν στις φυλακές της Τουρκίας με φανταστικές «κατηγορίες». Ακόμα και οι εκλεγμένοι σε δημοτικές εκλογές δήμαρχοι των κουρδοκρατούμενων περιοχών της Τουρκίας, καταργούνται με προεδρικά διατάγματα αμέσως μετά τις δημοτικές εκλογές – παρωδία και διορίζονται έμπιστοι του Τουρκικού καθεστώτος!

Κατά τα άλλα, η Ερντογανική Τουρκία χύνεικροκοδείλια δάκρυαγια δήθεν «καταπίεση» Ελλήνων πολιτών, μουσουλμάνων το θρήσκευμα, μέσα στην Ελλάδα και όπου αλλού την βολεύει, χαλώντας τον κόσμο με υποκριτική τέχνη που θα ζήλευαν και πολυβραβευμένοι θίασοι. 

Την ίδια ακριβώς στιγμή, η ίδια η σημερινή Τουρκία, έχει αυθαίρετα φιμώσει εδώ και 48 χρόνιατην Θεολογική Σχολή της Χάλκης, ενάντια σε όλες τις διεθνείς υποχρεώσεις της και ενάντια στους νόμους της ίδιας της Τουρκίας. Απλώνει τα αρπακτικά της χέρια στην αμύθητη εκκλησιαστική περιουσία μη αναγνωρίζονταςνομική προσωπικότηταστο Οικουμενικό Πατριαρχείο Κωνσταντινουπόλεως, ένα θρησκευτικό θεσμό που έχει τις ρίζες του στην Πόλη του Κωνσταντίνουδεκαεπτά ολόκληρους αιώνες! Ενεργεί με την φασιστική νοοτροπία του συγκυβερνήτη της σε μια σειρά δεκάδων θεμάτων που απασχολούν τον Ελληνισμό της Κωνσταντινούπολης που απέμεινε εκεί.

Με άλλα λόγια, η Τουρκία θορυβεί διαρκώς για δήθεν «καταπίεση» μουσουλμάνων σε οποίο σημείο του κόσμου την βολεύει, έχοντας ανακηρυχθεί αυτόκλητος προαγωγός τους και κλείνει τα μάτια στα σημεία και τέρατα που εφαρμόζει η ίδια μέσα στην Τουρκία.

Όπως ακριβώς μια καμήλα που δεν βλέπει καθόλου, μα καθόλου την καμπούρα της…

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(1)Σεπτεμβριανά 1955: Τίποτα δεν είναι όπως φαίνεται…

(2)«Κατάλογος νεκρών» που συνέταξε ο καθηγητής Σπύρος ΒρυώνηςJr, στην σελίδα 677 του μνημειώδους έργου του «Ο Μηχανισμός της Καταστροφής», εκδόσεις Εστία, 2007.

(3) «Οι μαζικές απελάσεις των Ελλήνων της Κωνσταντινούπολης το 1964», ντοκιμαντέρ διάρκειας είκοσι λεπτών σε σενάριο Λεωνίδα Κουμάκη και σκηνοθεσία – τεχνική επεξεργασία Γιώργου Κουρμούζα στοhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFsK0EpVXII

ΠΗΓΗ

INTERNATIONAL HELLENIC ASSOCIATION

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Capt. E.N.Rigos HEC Director www.greece.org

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