|
Greek-American relations refer to bilateral relations between Greece and the United States of America. Due to the strong political, cultural and religious ties between the two nations, Greece and the United States today enjoy excellent diplomatic relations and consider each other a friendly nation. Both countries are members of several international organizations such as the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), and NATO, and both are founding members of the United Nations. The United States and Greece have long-standing historical, political, and cultural ties based on a common western heritage, shared democratic values, and participation as Allies during World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Cold War. The U.S. is the largest foreign investor in Greece; direct U.S. foreign investment in Greece was about $4.5 billion in 2006. Greece has an embassy in Washington, D.C. and consulates-general in several U.S. cities. The United States has an embassy in Athens and a consulate-general in Thessaloniki. ==History== The first draft of the Monroe Doctrine in 1823, included praise of the Greek rebels in their revolt against the Ottoman Empire. American opinion strongly supported Greece. However Secretary of State John Quincy Adams strongly objected and that passage was dropped. The final text indicated the U.S. government had no intention of interfering in European affairs. However, as Angelo Repousis shows, private citizens including philanthropists, missionaries and political activists inspired by a vision of ancient Greece were eager to become involved in Greek affairs.〔Angelo Repousis, ''Greek-American Relations from Monroe to Truman'' (2013) 〕 On November 9, 1837, the United States recognized the independence of Greece when the American Minister at London signed a treaty of Commerce and Navigation with the Greek Minister at London. This act marked the first negotiation of the United States with Greece and represented the US's recognition of Greece as in independent country in the early 1800s.〔http://history.state.gov/countries/greece〕 Within this same year, the first American Consul Gregory A. Perdicaris took up his position in Athens. This mid-19th century treaty established the Greek-U.S. relations in part to help liberate and establish Greece as a separate country from the Ottoman Empire.〔 The U.S. was active in providing humanitarian aid to Greece after the devastation it suffered in World War I.〔Dimitra Giannuli, "American Philanthropy in Action: The American Red Cross in Greece, 1918-1923," ''East European Politics & Societies'' (1996) 10#1 pp 108-132.〕 During World War II, the US opposed the British plan to restore King George II of Greece to the throne because he was closely with fascism. Instead the U.S. helped to establish a regency and did not oppose British efforts to defeat the Communist insurgents.〔Lawrence S. Wittner, "American Policy Toward Greece During World War II," ''Diplomatic History'' (1979) 3#2 pp p129-149. (online )〕 The British took a leading role in helping the Greek government fight the insurgency. When its financial crisis forced it to cut back, the British turned that role over to the U.S. in 1946. In 1947 the U.S. proclaimed the Truman Doctrine, promising assistance to governments resisting communist subjugation, and began a period of substantial financial and military aid. The U.S. provided Greece with more than $11.1 billion in economic and security assistance since 1946. Economic programs were phased out by 1962, but military assistance continued. In fiscal year 1995, Greece was the fourth-largest recipient of U.S. security assistance, receiving loans totaling $255.15 million in foreign military financing.〔Judith S. Jeffrey, ''Ambiguous Commitments and Uncertain Policies: The Truman Doctrine in Greece, 1947–1952'' (2000)〕〔Howard Jones, ''"A New Kind of War": America's Global Strategy and the Truman Doctrine in Greece'' (1989)〕 In 1953, the first defense cooperation agreement between Greece and the United States was signed, providing for the establishment and operation of American military installations on Greek territory. The current "mutual defense cooperation agreement" provides a continued U.S. military support to Greece and the operation by the U.S. of a major military facility at Souda Bay, Crete. The alliance between Greece with the United States continues through the active role of both countries in NATO since 1949. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Greece–United States relations」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|