MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL TO THE PRESIDENT OF GREECE ON THE OCCASION OF THE SINKING OF THE FERRYBOAT EXPRESS SAMINA

28 September 2000

The Governor-General has today sent the following message to the President of Greece, His Excellency Constantinos Stephanopoulos:

I am writing to convey to you and the people of Greece the profound sympathy of myself, my wife and the people of Australia on the tragic loss of life sustained in the sinking of the ferryboat Express Samina.

At this time, when the people of Australia are hosting the Games celebrating the 27th Olympiad of the Modern Era, our thoughts turn to the land that gave those Olympics to the world.

The Governor-General and Lady Deane were guests of President Stephanopoulos on an official visit to Greece in May at the time of the lighting of the Olympic Torch at Ancient Olympia