Alleged “American mediator” for Greek-Turkish relations Richard Grenell accuses journalist Lena Argyri of fake news
Was Endy Zemenides involved in pushing the story?
In the most resounding way, Richard Grenell , an executive of Donald Trump ‘s diplomatic staff , denied yet another “exclusive” report by “Kathimerini”, which intensified the climate of distrust between the Greek government and the new American administration.
Mr. Grenell, who in response to journalist Lena Argyri from Washington was seen as the new “mediator” between Athens and Ankara , aiming for a rapid “settlement” in the Aegean , accused Ms. Argyri of spreading false news in a post on his official X account !
Specifically, the American official, who holds the position of ” special diplomatic envoy ” in the Trump administration, stated that the relevant report by “Kathimerini” is a clear fabrication (” pure fake news “), personally criticizing the journalist for not having considered contacting him before publishing an alleged piece of news that caused tremors in Greek-American relations , indirectly attributing pro-Turkish intentions to Donald Trump!
The problem is taking on dimensions , given that Lena Argyri is also a US correspondent for the state-run ERT, while in her recent report on the honorary distinction of Greek diaspora organizations in the person of Richard Grenell, she presented the official in question as adopting philhellene positions , underlining the strategic importance of Greece and emphasizing President Trump’s commitment to establishing security in the SE Mediterranean!
The “Kathimerini” article, however, implied that the recruitment of this specific person by President Trump poses risks to Greek interests !
Regarding the same publication, which claimed that Grenell’s mission is being carried out in coordination with the new US ambassador to Ankara and Kimberly Guilfoyle , who is expected in Athens, the Mitsotakis government declared complete ignorance , while “Kathimerini” itself, in an awkward reaction , hosted Grenell’s denial, but insisted on the claim that the general spirit of the report about the impending American “arbitration” in the Aegean is valid, but is still at an… early stage .
Following the categorical denial by the American official, circles close to the ruling Republican Party of the United States questioned the feasibility of such publications that cast shadows on President Trump’s face in Greek public opinion and poison bilateral relations .
The same sources consider the Greek-American lobbyist Eddie Zemenides , who has particularly close connections to the Democratic Party and “sworn enemies” of President Trump, to be the main “supplicant” of these unfounded reports .
Mr. Zemenides, they argue, has voluntarily assumed the role of “bridger” between Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the Trump environment, without, however, having serious connections in the Republican Party, since even on the night of the American elections, and when Kamala Harris’s imminent defeat had already become clear, he managed to use derogatory characterizations towards the new planetary leader and argued that nothing had been decided, because the counting in key states that would “deliver” the Democratic candidate remained.
Furthermore, Mr. Zemenides maintains excellent relations with former ambassadors Pyatt and Tsounis , who were appointed by the Biden administration to Athens and are considered a “red flag” for Republicans.
The concern about the existence of a circle with strong access to the sanctuaries of the Democratic Party and privileged relations with the infamous Atlantic Council (the long arm of NATO’s Cold War circles), which attempts to offer “services” to the Mitsotakis government, introducing professional lobbyists and public relations companies to “break the ice” with Trump, but at the same time undermines the image of the new planet leader in Greek public opinion with publications, is also evident in diplomatic circles .
An experienced ambassador-at-large recently expressed his surprise at another report, again in “Kathimerini”, which claimed that the Trump administration is pressuring the Mitsotakis government to summarily expel the Chinese Cosco from the port of Piraeus and to cede all of the country’s port infrastructure to American interests.
This publication specifically stated that the withdrawal of the Chinese from Piraeus, as well as any others that the Americans do not approve of from central ports, such as Thessaloniki or Alexandroupolis , is a strategic priority of Kimberly Guilfoyle, who comes to Athens furiously, as another…Purifoyle, to give orders. However, it also seems to lack basis , since the arrival of the American official is delayed, but mainly because the foreign managers or shareholders of the port organizations are secured at an international level with legal clauses and it is impossible to expel them overnight, because a diplomatic earthquake would result !
However, in combination with the strange reports , relations between Athens and Washington remain frozen , and Mr. Mitsotakis’ environment is trying desperately to find channels of contact , resorting to completely inappropriate people …
Source: “Democracy” newspaper
