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KPHTH | December 2013/January 2014
Embassy of Greece
Washington, D.C.
December 2013
Message by the Greek Ambassador for the Pancretan
Association,
I greatly appreciate this opportunity to extend my
warmest wishes to the leadership, the membership
and this year’s honorees of the Pancretan Association
of America. My most sincere greetings also go to the
many distinguished guests who will attend the commemoration of the centenary of the Unification of
Crete with the Motherland.
The unification of Crete with the rest of the Greek
territory was the final result of the sacrifices that the
Cretan people had gone through for almost a century
and their numerous courageous revolts against the
Ottoman Empire.
Since the unification, Crete and its people remained
on the front line of the battles of the Greek nation for
freedom, human dignity and democracy: the Battle of
Crete and the heroic resistance against the German invaders that followed make up for another strong testimony of the braveness of Cretans.
Moreover, throughout history, Cretans thanks
to their hard work and dedication have greatly contributed to the economic and social development of
Greece and Hellenism all around the world.
I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the recipients of this year’s awards, the Member
of Parliament and former Minister for Foreign Affairs
Ms. Dora Bakoyannis and Mr. Harry Mark Petrakis, a
great representative of the Greek Diaspora here in the
United States.
Once again, allow me to congratulate the Pancretan
Association for its contribution to the promotion of
the Hellenic heritage in the United States, the further
strengthening of the strong ties that link the GreekAmerican community and Greece and wish you every
success in your future endeavors.
Christos Panagopoulos
Ambassador of Greece to the U.S.A.
Νέα Υόρκη
5 – 8 Δεκεμβρίου 2013
Νέα Υόρκη
5 – 8 Δεκεμβρίου 2013
letters
ταυτίστηκε με την καθολική λαϊκή βούληση και με την
επισφράγιση της ένωσης της Κρήτης με την Ελλάδα
στα 1913. Ο Ελευθέριος Βενιζέλος αποτέλεσε τον
ηγέτη που συγκέρασσε τους αγώνες των Κρητών με
την λυτρωτική απαίτηση ενοποίησης της Ελλάδας ως
μητρόπολη του παγκόσμιου πολιτι