By Alexis Papachelas

Greece has finally fulfilled its duty toward a man who over the past decades has repeatedly gone to great lengths to serve the country.

Former US Senator Paul Sarbanes has always backed Greece and Cyprus, both publicly and behind the scenes. In the early years following Turkey’s invasion of Cyprus he helped secure an arms embargo on Turkey and the crucial 7:10 ratio in military aid. During the foreign policy acrobatics of the late Socialist leader Andreas Papandreou, Sarbanes did everything to support Greece’s positions and forestall criticism from Washington. Similarly, he has backed Greece in the Macedonia name dispute.

Sarbanes’s strength has always lain in the respect he enjoyed from the other members of that closed club. His ability to analyze complex issues in a thorough, cool-headed fashion, and his ethos and willingness to collaborate gave him special status on Capitol Hill. Whenever something arose that involved Greece, everyone from the president to the most junior senator reacted by saying, “We will talk to Paul to see what he thinks, and then we’ll decide.” Sarbanes knew how to negotiate where it mattered most – in the corridors of Congress. He also knew how to bargain, making a compromise on a secondary bill in exchange for assistance in a Greece-related issue.

He never sought recognition or reward, although everyone knows that for the past 15 years he more or less single-handedly represented the Greek lobby. All aspiring Greek-American politicians have passed by his office for advice or a letter of recommendation.

Sarbanes has always known Greece’s weaknesses, yet he always stood up for the country of his parents. He thoroughly deserves the Greek president’s award. Greece would be very fortunate indeed if it had more sons like Sarbanes.