Greece’s New Ambassador to the US Speaks to TNH

NEW YORK – For the Greek American Community to succeed in promoting Hellenic issues, policymakers in the United States must see that Greek Americans are genuinely interested in the problems facing America, in addition to Greek national issues alone. Vasilios Kaskarelis, the new Greek Ambassador to the United States and successor to Alexandros Mallias – who recently returned to Athens – is a firm believer in this view, as he explained to The National Herald in a recent interview. Ambassador Kaskarelis visited TNH’s New York headquarters on Thursday July 9, 2009, where he met with Publisher/Executive Editor Antonis H. Diamataris to discuss issues relating to the Greek American Community and Greece. During his visit, Greece’s new ambassador also had an opportunity to acquaint himself with TNH’s reporters and staff.

In his interview, Ambassador Kaskarelis noted that the process for Greece’s admission into the U.S. Visa Waiver program was nearly complete, and estimated that by the issue should be finalized by autumn. He also stressed his firm belief that the Greek American Community’s support to Hellenic national issues is of key importance, and noted that Greeks in America must remain united. He also emphasized the need for new goals and interests to be brought to the forefront so as to provide a new dynamic for the growth and strengthening of Greek-American relations.

Ambassador Kaskarelis told TNH that his first impressions of the Greek American Community were positive. “I say this with all sincerity,” he commented. “When I was serving at the Unite Nations, my contacts were mostly social, of course, because it was not within my charge of duties to build deeper relations with the Greek American Community. Nevertheless, the close relations that I formed with Greek Americans helped me form a clearer picture of the situation, and that is why I believe that the Greek American Community is a robust entity. In spite of the fact that many years have gone by since the first Greek immigrants began arriving in the United States, and there are now second, third, and probably even fourth-generation Greek Americans, the Community remains united. However, we are now in a phase that is rather volatile – not only here, but all over the world – and new developments are taking place from a political standpoint; especially economically, technologically, and in regards to a changing of interests. Therefore, during this volatile period where new developments are occurring, we must devote all our attention to keeping the Greek American Community united, providing it with new goals and new interests that will benefit both Greek-American relations, and Greece as well.”

In regards to the role that the Greek American Community can play in advancing Greek national issues, Ambassador Kaskarelis said that the help that Greek Americans can provide is of key importance. “There is no need for an explanation or any further elaboration. I consider it self-evident. Unfortunately, what is not self-evident in my opinion is that for the organized Greek American Community to be effective in its role, the American officials with whom it seeks dialogue need to understand that aside from the two, three, or four national issues that are of concern to Greece, the Greek American Community – and by extension our Greek homeland – shows a reciprocal interest in the issues affecting America. With that said, I consider it necessary to broaden the agenda of discussion between Greece and the United States to ensure that it is not only limited to issues of interest to Greece – no matter how timely or pressing these might be – but to also include certain other issues that draw the interest of the other side. In this way, American policymakers will look at Greeks – and more importantly Greek Americans, who are full-fledged members of American society – as a very positive force, who offer suggestions that need to be taken into serious consideration, because they are just as interested in American issues as they are in issues affecting their country of origin. Some people might consider this to be a rather novel approach, but based on my experience serving in international organizations, where one gets to look at all these issues from a totally different perspective – a most realistic one – I would be so bold as to say that this is the right approach for us to take.”

Commenting on the Greek lobby in America, Greece’s new ambassador to the U.S. noted that in the time since it first began operating it has provided significant services and over the years played an important role in shaping opinions that are important in influencing policy in Washington. Nevertheless, he did cite room for improvement. “Without the slightest desire to criticize and without any intent on obfuscating what I am about to say, I believe that the Greek lobby could use some modernization – if you would allow me to use this phrase – so that it might be in a position to reach its full potential,” Ambassador Kaskarelis said.

“I fully recognize the contribution of the Greek lobby in the United States, and I am cognizant of the fact that without its contribution and help we would not have been able to achieve a fair amount of actions, decisions, etc. that we managed to bring about up until the present day,” he noted.

Speaking about the recent actions by the U.S. Administration to secure Greece’s entry into the State Department’s Visa Waiver program, which would allow Greek travelers to enter into the US with greater ease, Ambassador Kaskarelis said that the issue had reached its final stage. “To give you a better picture, let me compare it to a race – a marathon even – and tell you that we have reached the home stretch. We went through a lot of ups and downs. Some of these could have been avoided. At any rate, we are in the final stretch and I want to believe that at some point this fall this matter will have finally come to a close.”

Responding to a question about two of Greek America’s largest organizations, the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) and the Hellenic American National Council (HANC), Mr. Kaskarelis said that he has not formed any specific opinion on them because it is still much too early for him to make such comments as the new Ambassador of Greece to the United States. “I have read things – especially about SAE – but I have not yet formed an opinion.” He also quipped that “I would like a ‘grace period’ during which I could meet with people, they could get to know me, and I could get a firsthand look at the results of their labors, which I know are significant from the things that I have read; nevertheless, I too would like to be able to assess the situation so that I may help as much as possible, as long as my help is well received. “

Following his meeting with Archbishop Demetrios of America on Wednesday afternoon July 8th, Ambassador Kaskarelis said that the Archbishop came to the United States “during an extremely difficult period for the Greek American Community.” He added that Archbishop Demetrios is “a spiritual man, who possesses special capabilities. Through calmness, wisdom, and strength he has managed to put things back in place, and restore order and tranquility to the Greek American Community. This was a colossal achievement, which proved to be of critical importance during that time. If he had not succeeded, the future would have brought disastrous results.”

As the Greek Government’s new representative to the United States, Ambassador Kaskarelis’ message to the Greek American Community is “to try in unison to maintain all ties with the homeland, because this is of benefit not only to Greece, but to the Greek Community in America.”

Ambassador Kaskarelis was born in Athens. He graduated from the Universities of Thessaloniki and Athens where he studied Economics, Politics, and Law. Afterwards, he began a long and wide-ranging diplomatic career.

Between 1976 and 1993, he served in Ankara (Turkey), in Nicosia (Republic of Cyprus), in Venice (Italy) as Consul, in Berlin (Germany) as Head of Greece’s Military Mission – and after the collapse of the wall as Consul General – and in Athens at the Turkish Desk of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. From 1993 to 1995, as Minister Plenipotentiary, he was Head of the Cabinet of the Secretary General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Between 1995 and 2000, he was Deputy Permanent Representative of Greece to the United Nations in New York, and then, from 2000 to 2004, Permanent Representative of Greece to NATO in Brussels, while also serving as negotiator for the Confidence Building Measures between Greece and Turkey (2000-2003).

Since 2004, Ambassador Kaskarelis has been Permanent Representative of Greece to the European Union in Brussels, Belgium.

He is recipient of many awards, including the Grand-Cross of the Order of the Phoenix (Greece), the Grand Commander of the Order of the Phoenix (Greece), and the Knight of the Order of Merit (France).

He and his wife Anna Kaskarelis have two sons, Dionyssis and Loucas.