Greek-American Groups Weigh Election Options

As the U.S. Presidential elections rapidly approach on Nov. 6, incumbent Barack Obama and his challenger, Republican nominee Mitt Romney – along with members of Congress – have been evaluated by the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) on their stances concerning Greek issues, including the Greek crisis, Cyprus, and Turkish challenges in the Aegean.

According to AHEPA’s evaluation, three Senators top the list of Greek interest issues:  New Jersey Democrat Robert Menendez; Maryland Democrat Benjamin Cardin, and Maine Republican Olympia Snowe, who is not running for re-election.

New York State Sen. Michalis Giannaris said that, “Traditionally, Democrats are particularly sensitive towards human right issues. Thus the Democratic Party’s candidate President Obama has always shown special interest and support over greek issues.cIt is part of  the U.S. interest that Greece remains in the Eurozone, avoiding a bigger crisis that could well influence both the U.S. and the rest of the world.”

Western Policy Center Executive Director John Sitilidis said that, “There is no other option from reform implementation in Greece which is absolutely necessary if Greeks want to remain in the Eurozone.” The President of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) Theodore Spyropoulos, stressed that for the past few decades Democrats’ attitude toward Greece seemed friendlier in comparison to Republicans, whose interventions negatively impacted Greek interest issues.

American-Hellenic Institute President Nikos Larigakis said, “The truth is that if Romney is elected the next US President we are not familiar with his intentions on important Greek issues.” The President of the Cyprus Federation of America Tasos Zampas pointed out that, “The USA can help Greece to overcome this huge crisis, but only if Greece first makes some structural changes needed so as the US can again invest in Greece.”

(Source: AMPE)