Venizelos-Kerry: Terrorism, Xiros on the agenda

During their discussions, Kerry and Venizelos will address topics including the economic crisis, the Greek European Council presidency and its priorities, and the issue of terrorism which is high on the agenda of American politicians after the escape of Christodoulos XIros. (Photo:Greek Embassy in Washington)

The US State Department is undoubtedly shocked that Christodoulos Xiros has managed to escape from Greek authorities after being granted leave from prison. The terrorist organisation was responsible for the deaths of five Americans in Greece.

US officials will no doubt be bewildered as to how Christodoulos Xiros, convicted of such serious crimes, was ever allowed to leave prison. Despite November 17’s disruption in the early 2000s the US continues to include it on its list of Foreign Terror Organizations.

The U.S. have sent a clear message to Athens, “Find Xiros and arrest him.”

In addition to his meeting with the Secretary of State in Washington, Venizelos will also be in discussion with members of Congress and will present speeches to a number of American Think Tanks.

The Deputy Prime Minister will travel to the U.S. capital directly from Paris, where he will be next Monday and Tuesday, January 13 and 14. In the French capital, Venizelos will meet with his counterpart Laurent Fabius, Finance Minister Pierre Moscovici, and the French Socialist Party Secretary. Venizelos will be abroad for 8 days from January 13 to 21, visiting France, Belgium and the U.S.

Upon his return from the U.S., Venizelos will travel to Brussels on January 20 for a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council. On January 21 he will be heading an intergovernmental Conference between the EU and Serbia in Brussels.