McCain Disappoints Greek Americans

Republican Presidential hopeful unable to explain, after his meeting with Archbishop Demetrios, why he refused to co-sign a letter on religious freedom in Turkey

New York.- By Apostolos ZoupaniotisRepublican Presidential Candidate John McCain failed the expectations of the Greek Orthodox faithful in the United after declining to answer a question on his refusal to cosign a letter to President Bush, on the religious freedom in Turkey and the protection of the rights of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

The question was raised by the “Greek News”, during a photo opportunity of the Republican Senator from Arizona with Archbishop Demetrios, at the Archdiocesan headquarters in New York City. Eighty Three senators have so far cosigned the letter, but John McCain is so far undecided.

Because the event was largely covered by the US media, McCainʼs position was made widely known. “New York Newsday” in an article (6-11-2008) entitled “Tested on Greeks, Turks: A tough question before NYC fundraisers”, reports on the event:

Republican presidential hopeful John McCain came to New York City for a pair of fundraisers yesterday evening, but beforehand, found himself navigating the choppy waters of Greco-Turkish relations during a short photo-op with the head of American Greek Orthodox Church at the organization's headquarters on 79th Street.

While McCain was posing with Archbishop Demetrios, a reporter with a Greek-language media outlet fired a question at the senator, asking why he did not sign a letter a year and a half ago in which 73 other senators -- including Obama -- urged President George W. Bush to publicly support religious freedom for a Greek Orthodox minority living in Istanbul, Turkey.

McCain declined to answer directly, saying the matter was under discussion. "Obviously we are in favor of religious freedom all over the world, especially those places where it seems to be about to disappear," he said, before declining further questions.”

THE MEETING

McCainʼs meeting with Archbishop was arranged by Greek American billionaires Alex Spanos and George Argyros, a former U.S. Ambassador to Spain. Argyros made a phone call during the meeting and spoke to both the Senator and the Archbishop. The meeting lasted more than half and hour and was also attended by Fr Alex Karloutsos and McCain aide Mrs Buchanan.

Discussions focused on other issues as well, including religious freedom of the Ecumenical Patriarch in Turkey, the Cyprus issue, the problem relating to the name of FYROM and domestic issues such as education and economy in the US.

McCain refrained from answering any press questions on Cyprus, after the meeting. In the question of Greek News about the letter, he said:"I did discuss that with His Eminence and we will continue to have these discussions and obviously I am in favor of religious freedom all over the world, especially those places where there seems to be challenges to them. We'll continue our dialogue and discussions and will try to do what we can to see that all religions are protected and honored."

In his statement, Archbishop Demetrios thanked the senator for coming and said he had been there a year ago and that he was happy to welcome him back now that he's the presumed Republican nominee. "It was a great honor and a great joy in the short time we had today." He said that Senator McCain -- not he -- had brought up the issue of religious freedom in Turkey. "He is very much interested in the religious freedom of the patriarchy."

Archbishop Demetrios said that the Republican candidate had indicated that he is well acquainted with the Cyprus problem and follows development and has the will to help its resolution.

"He spoke with reserved optimism about Cyprus issue," the Archbishop said.

The Archbishop noted that this was their second meeting in the past year. "McCain is a man who knows Turkey's issues, the Balkans and generally foreign policy," he concluded.

After the statements they went downstairs and stopped briefly in the small chapel of Saint Paul, on the ground floor before McCain departed.

CONTROVERSIAL STATEMENTS

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese tried to give a more “optimistic” tone about the meeting, despite the negativity of the Republican candidate. A member of the Archdiocesan Council blamed it on the fact that some of the Greek Orthodox billionaires want to continue the “tradition” of the indirect support of Republican candidates.

On the other hand, an advisor to the Archbishop was saying that the Greek Orthodox Primate was obliged as the host of the meeting to intervene after the question.

“Archbishop Demetrios raised the issues with the senator and we think the message came through. There are important Greek Americans that can influence him”.

On the other hand, it is widely known across the ranks of the Greek Lobby in Washington, that Senator John McCain has an impressive record in supporting Turkey. During last yearʼs PSEKA Conference in Washington, Philip Christopher, President of the International Coordinating Committee “Justice for Cyprus” was blaming McCain for not signing the letter to President Bush.

“Senator Obamaʼs positions on the Greek issues, including the protection f the Ecumenical Patriarchate are crystal clear. I am not a billionaire to support Senator McCain, so without any doubt my vote in November will be for Obama”, a member of the Archdiocesan Council told GreekNews.

In its reporting on the meeting, “Newsday” includes a statement by the editor of the Orthodox Observer, Jim Golding who explains that “there are large concentrations of Greek Orthodox believers in several states that could prove battlegrounds in the November presidential election”.

According to “Newsday”, Illinois boasts more than 38,000 Greek Orthodox believers, with 28,000 in Florida, more than 22,000 in Ohio and Pennsylvania, and 17,000 in Michigan, according to the religion data archive maintained by Pennsylvania State University.

Church spokesman Stavros Papagermanos insisted the Archbishop's meeting with McCain was not about the election, as the church does not endorse presidential candidates. Instead, he said, it came because the senator had crossed paths with the Archbishop last year and wished to meet with him while in town.

Similarly, Father Mark Arey said, “the archbishop does not endorse political candidates, but he and McCain spoke about religious freedom, social justice, and the importance of voting.”

In a press statement, the Archdiocese says:

“During their meeting, they discussed issues of common concern to all Americans, e.g., the economic hardships that many are facing and respect for all life. The Archbishop emphasized the importance of education in empowering economic opportunity for all citizens. As for issues specific to the Greek-American community, Senator McCain was fully prepared to speak on religious liberty and human rights issues for the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and the issues of a solution for Cyprus and the naming questions surrounding FYROM (Former Yugoslav Republic Of Macedonia).

In a comment after the meeting, the Archbishop said: "As Saint Paul says in his First Letter to Timothy, ʽlet supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all people: kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.ʼ Well, in America we have no kings, but we do have elected leaders and representatives of government. As Archbishop, I feel a responsibility to pray for all our leaders and to encourage our Greek Orthodox Faithful to do likewise, as they participate in the political process granted to all Americans by our Constitutionally protected freedoms. Senator McCain is an honorable American who has demonstrated his heroism and love for this country."

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