[ALBSA-Info] Interesting Greek Comment

[Bejko, Kreshnik]

[04] "THOSE WHO PARTICIPATE IN OUR EDUCATION ARE GREEKS" 
"Those who participate in our education are Greeks". This was the phrase
with which government spokesperson answered the reporters, after the
problems arising from the question on whether certain children from Albania
excelling in school, should be allow ed to carry the Greek flag in the
school parades on national holidays, an honor typically bestowed to the
student with the highest grade in the school. 
Mr. Protopapas mentioned that the government considers the issue solved and
referred to the relative legislature and circular of the Ministry of
Education. He also added that if these children feel proud to bear the Greek
flag, he could not understand wh o it was that would stop them and why. 
The Minister of Press mentioned that many eminent philhellenes who helped
Greece's struggles for independence, served philosophy, thought and our
culture, have deservingly held up the Greek flag in the past. "They thought
like Greeks, acted like Greeks, spoke Greek and were participants in Greek
education", he said characteristically, and added: "When a child is an
excellent student of a Greek school and it feels that it is an honor for him
to bear the Greek flag, we should be the last to place obstacles in front of
it". 
The government spokesperson surmised by saying that we cannot and must not
in any case become a society with "gray areas" and characteristically
pointed out: "You cannot accept someone to work for your business for 8
years, and then not let his child fun ction in a school".