Mr. Nicholas Ouzounoglou, professor at the National Technical University of Athens and President of the Universal Federation of Constantinople, informed the parliamentary Committee of Greek Diaspora on the important matters of a community that has eradicated 98%, in different phases, the last one of 1964, when, he said, "Constantinople emptied."

Mr. Ouzounoglou set as main demand the support of the remaining 2,000 Greek, bitter memory of a thriving community of three million Greeks, 100 years ago.

He referred to the timeless and international activity of the Federation of Greeks from Constantinople to bring their case to the strongest international fora, including the UN, the OECD, Human Rights Court. He stressed, however, that their first approach is the Turkish authorities, with which relations are better in the last 15 years, although there is a general lack of democracy. However, longer applies dual citizenship and incorporates the service in the Greek army. Thus, 500 Constantinople regained their citizenship and can also claim their properties, something very important, as real estate agents prey on abandoned property.

Mr. Ouzounoglou raised as top issue the education of 230 students attending the few remaining schools including Zografeios, Zappeion and the Great School of the Nation. He expressed bitterness at the fact that, despite meetings with 4 ministers for Education of previous governments, there has been no effect on issues that concern them.

Another crucial issue for Mr. Ouzounoglou is that of "foundations" which were and remain subject sneaking Turkish state because of their very large property.

The President of the Federation of Constantinople, spoke about the importance of mobilizing youth and knowledge of history, reminding that this September marks the 60th anniversary of the pogroms of the Greeks of Constantinople, "a copy of Kristallnacht" as he described, as it was essentially the prelude to the coup of 1960. He also said that it is a historical page that needs further study, as recognized now, that the attack against the Greeks of Constantinople was the result of provocation.

Mr. Ouzounoglou talked about the shock brought about by the discontinuance of the OGA benefit in Greeks from Constantinople living in Greece and expressed his bitterness for the effort of some Greeks to promote the view of historical communities as "sinkers"

"Our human rights were violated in '55," he said. "We highlight the circumstances of our persecution and we ask redress of injustice based on relevant UN resolutions."

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