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Jerusalem - 14 July, 1997

Personal Statement

To Whom it may concern

After carefully reading some of the Articles in the "National Herald" newspaper, I became disturbed, and disappointed with the presentation of the events of Feb. 27, 1997, as Father Iakovos Vassilou's apartment. I do want this statement to be only a light of truth, and not of course a statement against anybody. Let us keep always in our hearts that as Christians Greek Orthodox, we have to stay always far from.

I categorically deny that there was excessive alcohol consumption at that night. There were only "twenty" cans of beer for 15 people.

I acknowledge that the game of jokes that Father Ikonomou played toward me exceeded the normal habits, and as a result it led to the accident which caused one of us hit and injure the other. According to my understanding there were no sexual harassment or abuse, and this is what I exactly explained in front of the disciplinary committee when I was asked.

Also, I was under pressure of some members of the disciplinary committee and the administration to speak up about the events of that night emphasizing that if I won't give the reason, I will be fired from the school even though it was my final examination period for my last year in school.

At that point, a letter was prepared by His Grace Bishop Maximos of Pittsburgh to be signed by me. After carefully reading this letter I refused to sign it because I didn't accept what was written in it, specifically "Sexual Harassment and Alcohol Consumption". He replied that this letter means nothing but will help to close the case without hurting anybody.

Finally, I would like to stress that there was no conspiracy from anybody of covering up any events that took place at that point.

Sincerely,
Jiries Shamma

[ ALITHEIA-ΑΛΗΘΕΙΑ | www.alitheia.org/EV-HC.HTM  -  July 14, 1997 ]