Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-08-30

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Greek American community mobilises

[01] Greek American community mobilises

A special committee of prominent Greek Americans was established to oversee and coordinate the collection and distribution of funds raised by the Archdiocese through the new "Greek Fire Relief Fund".

"We are witnessing unbelievable losses of lives and property but also of the livelihoods of countless individuals who will need assistance for many years to recover from this calamity" the Archbishop stated, adding: "Greece, the birthplace of democracy, the place where the Olympics Games were born, the cornerstone of western Civilisation, is experiencing unprecedented destruction with over 650,000 acres of forest and farmland reduced to ashes ⦠It is our sacred duty and obligation to offer whatever assistance we can at this most critical time."

The Archdiocese later announced that Andrew S. Natsios, the US President's special envoy for Sudan, had accepted a post as special advisor to the Archbishop on the Church's relief efforts.

Natsios served as director for the U.S. Agency for International Development (US Aid) which is the American government agency that administers economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide.

On Monday Demetrios spoke with John Negroponte, the US Deputy Secretary of State, who briefed the Archbishop over the measures that the American government was taking to deal with the disaster.

The Archbishop also reportedly spoke by phone with Greek ambassador to the United States Alexandros Mallias regarding the crisis.

Finally, a special circular was issued by the Archdiocese's synod requesting that all parishes hold a special collection for the Greek Fire Relief Fund. In addition, a nationwide appeal will be made via the media for assistance from the general public, as well as a personal request by the Archbishop to prominent members of the Greek American community.

Caption: A file photo, dated Monday, 25 September 2006, of Andrew Natsios, the US Special Envoy for Sudan, during a meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. EPA/MATTHEW CAVANAUGH

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