Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 13-12-04

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

CONTENTS

[01] Princess Katherine of Serbia talks to ANA-MPA about the Lifeline charity in Greece

[01] Princess Katherine of Serbia talks to ANA-MPA about the Lifeline charity in Greece

"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: ANA-MPA -- "Happiness in life is to give of yourself." This is a phrase that Princess Katherine of Serbia learned from her mother, which marked a major turning point in the course of her life. She is of a Greek origin, the daughter of Robert and Anna Batis, but for the last 28 years she has been known as Princess Katherine of Serbia, after her marriage to Prince Alexander Karađorđević. From 1993 onward she has been doing charity work through the "Lifetime" network she has created, with branches in many parts of the world, including Greece. "Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Her work also brought her to the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki, where with "Lifeline Hellas" President Zisis Boukouvalas and the board of directors, she helped organize a Christmas charity event and visited the children of the city's "MELISSA" orphanage, as well as the "Storgi" foundation for friends of children with cancer. "Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: "What I have seen during the last years in Greece has caused me pain," said Princess Katherine in an interview with the ANA-MPA. " I had seen them in the past also, in Serbia," she added. "Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: "You cannot imagine how much Greece has supported us all these years, after the war. They were always close to us and concerned, they would send everything. Now it's our turn, we are here for you," she said. "Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Speaking about the relationships between Serbian and Greek people, Princess Katherine said that they have many things in common and that there are strong emotional ties. "People don't let me say 'the Greeks'. They often correct me and tell me to call them 'brothers.' "Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: "Serbs love Greece, they come here on holiday, they especially to Chalkidiki, they like the food, learn the Greek language, songs, everything," noted Princess Katherine. "In Serbia they love me very much because I have Greek blood, just like Alexander. He is half Greek, grandson of King Alexander and Aspasia Manos." "Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: "This crisis was certainly not good for anyone but because in Serbia we didn't have much, we did not lose much. Here in Greece things were very different. People might not have had so much, but they could make a living. They had their jobs, their houses, it was a shock for the Greek state," stressed Princess Katherine. "Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: "Everybody must help and help is not only money. If a factory produces clothes or food, it should offer some to those who cannot afford them," she said, adding that "I remember in Serbia they used to send everything from Thessaloniki, even shoes." "Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: "I personally do not accept anything sent from Greece, now it's your turn," she stated. "Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: "My husband and I travel to many parts of the world for charity activities. We recently visited New York and talked to many people. I want to visit America again and talk to even more, especially to the diaspora Greeks and make them understand that Greece suffers. It is the place where they were born, the place they love, the place they learned how to give. It is time to give." "Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Referring to the crisis in Greece, Princess Katherine appeared confident that Greece will overcome the crisis but stressed that it was up to the Greeks. "Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: "It is up to you to come out of the crisis. I often listen to you talking about what has happened and not what will happen. You say 'what have we become' instead of seeking a strategy to overcome this situation." "Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: However, as she noted, tourism can be used and assist in the country's exit from the economic crisis. "You saw how well tourism went during summer. People don't want to leave Greece." "Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: "Greeks are smart and educated people. Things will get better but time is needed. Disaster did not happen in one day, nor one night. It took time and it will take time for the situation to improve." "Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Princess Katherine also talked about the importance of work done by charity organisations, stressing that they must support the state. "Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: "It needs faith. We must believe in ourselves, our powers and God. When we were young we used to sing the national anthem and say that Greece never dies. We must believe in this," she mentioned. mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Courier New"; color:#0F1419;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EL;mso-bidi-language: We must also help other people as much as we can. Especially now that Christmas is near, there must not be a table without food, life is too short and we must empathise with the want of others," said Princess Katherine.

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