Macedonian Press Agency, Greece
April 14 2005
SAE PRESIDENT TO VISIT TBILISI AND TSALKA IN GEORGIA
Thessaloniki, 14 April 2005 (15:38 UTC+2)
World Council for Greeks Abroad, SAE, President Andrew Athens will
visit Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, on April 15-22, for a series
of meetings with Georgian elected officials and leaders of the Greek
community within the framework of his visits that deal with
humanitarian and safety issues.
In the heart of this visit is an issue that Mr. Athens brought to
international attention and has rallied world support for the Greeks
living in the region, the on-going terrorist activities against
Greeks primarily in 25 villages in Tsalka, a region where many have
been murdered and beaten up, homes taken forcefully by squatters, and
crops and buildings torched by terrorists.
Scheduled meetings with Georgian officials include President Michael
Saakashvili; Interior Minister Vano Meradishvili; Deputy Foreign
Affairs Minister Georgi Shicharoulidze; and Minister for
Refugees/Ethnic Minorities Mrs. Eteri Astenirova. Other meetings
include EU and UN officials in Georgia, and with U.S. Ambassador
Richard Miles who has already sent Embassy staff to record human
rights violations in Tsalka.
`We will not keep silent on the mistreatment of any Hellenes anywhere
in the world – this is my firm policy’, Mr. Athens stated.
On the humanitarian aspect of the visit, about 1,500 Greek families
will receive free food packages purchased through SAE’s aid program.
This is part of a periodic distribution of staple items that has also
been organized for Greeks in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Meetings will
follow with the community in Tbilisi and Tsalka. Also in Tsalka, a
memorial service will be held for Michael Tsamourliev, who was
murdered in February by a 10-member armed gang.
In addition, Mr. Athens and SAE Medical Affairs Director Dr. Charles
Kanakis will visit medical centers included in SAE’s Health
Initiative that provide more than 15,000 medical services monthly to
Greeks and their neighbors in Georgia. A new medical center is being
planned in Tbilisi. Mr. Kanakis is also scheduled to visit the
medical program activities in Greek communities in Armenia.