Laurels for Another Female Foreign Minister

President Bush thanked Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, here at U.N. headquarters, for her nation's troop support in Afghanistan. (By David Karp -- Associated Press)

"It is a wise government that relies upon the judgment and advice of a woman as a foreign minister or secretary of state," President Bush said Friday to laughter and applause.

He was toasting Greece's foreign minister, Dora Bakoyannis , at a celebration of Greek Independence Day at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. Bakoyannis, who was mayor of Athens when it hosted the Olympic Games in the summer of 2004, was in Washington for talks with U.S. officials and to receive kudos from her peers.

With Archbishop Demetrios of the Greek American Orthodox community in the audience, Bush said America's founding fathers had been inspired by Greece's ancient democratic ideals. When the founders of modern Greece asked for their freedom in 1821, he said, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison supported the cause.

Noting that all three were then members of the ex-presidents' club, Bush added, "I'm not there yet, your Eminence."

On a serious note, he thanked Greece for contributing troops to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. Bakoyannis, in turn, said the United States and five other governments had helped secure Athens and prevent terrorist attacks at the Olympic Games, although Greek taxpayers footed the $1.2 billion security bill.

In an interview Wednesday, she noted quietly, "We have had a success story in Greece. The men who killed my husband are behind bars."

The assassination took place three decades ago, when the 17th of November militant group was formed to oppose Greek military rule but also turned to terrorism. One of its victims was Bakoyannis's first husband, a member of parliament. The 26 militants were eventually caught and sentenced to life terms in 2003.

She spoke proudly about hosting the Olympics, saying their success reflected the best of Greece's aspirations. "It took effort," she said, "but it was immensely gratifying."

Turkey Extends Hand

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Nabi Sensoy , Turkey's new ambassador here, said his country can play a unique role as a bridge between two worlds. It is 99 percent Muslim and a member of the Organization of Islamic Conference, but it is also joined to Europe and NATO.

Sensoy, who presented his credentials to the White House this month, said Ankara has good relations with Israel as well, and that his government saw no problem in receiving Hamas leaders after their recent election victory.

"Yes, we accepted to see them, to tell them frankly what they should know," he said. "We told them that they have to assume their own responsibilities, and now that they are in power they have to adjust their policies and change their ways."