EDITOR’S NOTE (Nick Stamatakis). Finally!! A Greek-American organization, Hellenic American National Council (HANC), that dares to ask the hard questions and DEMANDS ANSWERS from the Greek government… For all the serious foreign policy issues where Greece faces challenges from Turkey and others… But as a Greek-American community, we now have to act: unify our organizations under a common front, put the self-serving “lobbyists” on the sidelines, call on younger generations to help, and demand serious representation in the Greek Parliament. Just sitting and listening to the most scandal-ridden Prime Minister of Modern Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, offer us the right to vote (which the 1974 Constitution of Greece actually granted to the Diaspora) is a parody…
Here is HANC’s original letter in Greek. HANC’S LETTER
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HELLENIC AMERICAN NATIONAL COUNCIL — HANC
United States of America – Canada – Mexico
September 9, 2026
SUBJECT:
National Defense – Aegean Sea – National Sovereignty
Request for Official Information from the Greek State
TO:
The Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic
The President of the Hellenic Parliament
The Minister of National Defense
The Minister of Foreign Affairs
CC:
Presidency of the Hellenic Republic
Standing Committee on National Defense and Foreign Affairs
Special Permanent Committee on Greeks Abroad
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs responsible for Greeks Abroad
Honorable Mr. Prime Minister,
Honorable representatives of the Greek State,
The Hellenic American National Council (HANC), with deep respect for the institutions of the Hellenic Republic and a sense of responsibility toward our homeland and future generations of Hellenism, addresses the Greek State today on issues we believe require clear, documented information.
Our intervention is not partisan.
It is not intended to create a political organization, nor to serve any political party or personal interest.
We believe that national defense, the sovereignty of Greece, and the security of the Greek islands stand above governments and political parties.
Governments change.
Greece remains.
In this spirit, and without requesting any classified or operationally sensitive information, we respectfully ask the Greek State to officially inform Hellenism regarding the following: bill23
1. TERRITORIAL WATERS – 12 NAUTICAL MILES
Greece has repeatedly stated that it retains the right to extend its territorial waters to 12 nautical miles, in accordance with International Law.
What is the country’s current national strategy for exercising this right in the Aegean Sea?
2. MILITARY ASSISTANCE TO UKRAINE
Since February 2022, Greece has provided military equipment in support of Ukraine.
At the non-classified level, what is the total amount and type of military equipment that Greece has provided from 2022 to the present?
3. DEFENSE EQUIPMENT FROM THE ISLANDS
What portion of the above equipment came from units or stockpiles located on the Greek islands, particularly in the Eastern Aegean?
4. REPLACEMENT OF THE EQUIPMENT
For each major weapons system that was removed:
What system replaced it, when was the replacement carried out, and has the replacement process now been completed?
5. THE 40 BMP-1s AND THE MARDERS
The agreement to transfer 40 BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine and replace them with 40 German Marder armored vehicles has been made public.
We request official information:
Have all 40 Marder vehicles provided for under the agreement been delivered and entered operational service?
If not, how many remain outstanding, and what is the timetable for completing the process? bill23
6. EUROPEAN AND OTHER COMPENSATION
Through European mechanisms, provisions have been made to compensate member states for eligible military equipment provided to Ukraine.
We respectfully request disclosure of:
- the total amount Greece has requested,
- the amount that has been approved,
- the amount actually received to date,
- and the categories of military equipment to which the relevant compensation relates.
7. DEFENSE CAPABILITY OF THE ISLANDS
Without requesting any information that could affect national security:
Can the Greek State officially confirm that the defense capability of the Greek islands has not been reduced as a result of the transfer or relocation of military equipment?
8. TURKISH FISHING ACTIVITY IN THE AEGEAN
From time to time, incidents involving Turkish fishing vessels operating within Greek territorial waters have been publicly reported.
We respectfully request disclosure of:
How many such incidents have been officially recorded, and what actions have competent Greek authorities taken?
9. PROTECTION OF GREEK FISHERMEN
Greek fishermen on the frontier islands represent not only an economic presence, but also an essential human presence in the Aegean.
What specific measures are being implemented to protect their rights, their safety, and their economic survival?
10. REAL ESTATE IN BORDER AND STRATEGIC AREAS
We also request information regarding the acquisition of real estate by nationals of third countries in border regions and other areas of particular national importance.
How many such permits have been approved over the past decade, and what review process is applied for national security reasons?
11. LONG-TERM NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR THE AEGEAN
Is there a unified, long-term national plan that comprehensively addresses the defense of the islands, the protection of sovereign rights, fisheries, energy resources, and the economic and demographic sustainability of the frontier regions?
If such a plan exists, we believe it is important to present its basic, non-classified principles to the Greek people.
12. INSTITUTIONAL BRIEFING OF THE GREEK DIASPORA
Millions of Greeks and people of Greek descent live outside Greece but continue to care deeply about the homeland’s security and future.
We propose establishing regular institutional briefings for the Greek Diaspora on important national issues, within the limits required by national security.
HANC’S POSITION
Through this letter, we do not prejudge any response, nor do we accept as fact information that has not been officially confirmed.
That is precisely why we are addressing the institutions of the Hellenic Republic.
We are not asking for partisan answers.
We are asking for official facts.
We are asking for transparency.
We are asking for a national strategy.
The Greek Diaspora can and should be a force for unity, knowledge, and support for Greece.
We do not wish to substitute ourselves for the Greek State.
We wish to stand beside Greece.
And when it comes to national sovereignty, defense, and the future of our children and future generations, we consider it our duty to ask questions, to remain informed, and to participate responsibly in the public dialogue.
We respectfully request the official position of the competent authorities regarding the above questions.
With deep respect for the Hellenic Republic and the Armed Forces of our homeland,
Vasilios (Bill) Mataragas
President
Hellenic American National Council — HANC
United States of America – Canada – Mexico
For Greece. For Hellenism. For future generations.
