There’s a Greek proverb that says “The iron rod bends when it is hot” and nowhere is this more true than in our nation’s capitol, Washington, DC. In the fast paced and rigid confines of Congress, hundreds of groups descend upon our nation’s elected leaders to capture their attention and push their issues forward. Fall is when Congress tries to address as many issues as possible before adjourning for the Winter recess. It’s also the time that the American Hellenic Council makes a strong push to bend the iron rod and meet with members of Congress to advance issues of concern to the Hellenic-American community. During the last month, the AHC has met with key Congressional leaders to raise awareness and broaden support for legislation regarding the ongoing division and occupation of Cyprus, the Ecumenical Patriarchate and other significant issues.
Despite U.N. denunciation of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus 33 years ago, there are still members of the U.S. Congress who are unabashedly defending Turkey’s illegal occupation. Recently, Congressman Dan Burton (R-Indiana) described this international criminal act with a paragraph taken directly from the Turkish government’s propaganda books by saying, “Turkish Cypriots were not only outnumbered by nearly four to one; they were also surrounded in their villages by armed Greek Cypriots; they had no way of protecting their women and children, and Turkey was 40 miles away across the sea…The fact is that the Turkish intervention was legitimate…”
In an effort to neutralize such outrageous statements from gaining any traction in Congress, AHC activists are going directly to members of Congress and enlisting their support on key legislation.
During his Southern California visit, Rep. Frank Pallone (D-New Jersey) met with members of the board of directors of the AHC to discuss his bill H.R. 1456, also known as the American-Owned Property in Occupied Cyprus Claims Act. The bill aims to amend the International Claims Settlement Act of 1949 to allow for certain claims of nationals of the United States against Turkey in the occupied territories. Bi-partisan support for such bills continues to grow on pace with the increase in nationwide grassroots activism by Hellenic Americans. Rep. Gus Bilirakis’s (R-Florida) bill H.Res. 405 was recently voted out of committee and is gaining strong support as it awaits scheduling of a full House vote. The proposed legislation expresses the strong support of Congress for implementation for the July 8, 2006, United Nations brokered agreement between the President of the Republic of Cyprus and Turkish Cypriot Leaders relating to the reunification of Cyprus.
On the Senate side, AHC President Dinos Andrianos recently met with Senator Robert Menendez (D-New Jersey) and thanked the Senator for his stalwart support for the rights of Cypriots.
His resolution, co-introduced by Senator Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) calls on Turkey to withdraw its 43,000 troops from Cyprus and allow for the process of political reconciliation to move forward without the interference of foreign occupying forces.
“We are grateful to have such friends and supporters in the Senate who understand the vital importance of Cyprus to the international Hellenic identity and work to bring about a just and peaceful resolution to the ongoing occupation and division,” said
AHC President Dinos Andrianos. “Sen. Menendez understands this and has put his name at the forefront of this effort and for that, we are very grateful.”
But bending the iron rod for the AHC doesn’t end with Cyprus. AHC Vice President and human rights activist Aris Anagnos recently met with Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-California), member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe to thank her for her support in raising awareness about the plight of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Rep. Sanchez is a member of a key committee that looks to strengthen and rebuild America’s partnership with key allies in Europe. As Turkey inches forward toward membership in the European Union, the AHC is making a strong effort to raise awareness about its oppressive policies towards its Christian minorities and particularly its hard line tactics against the Patriarchate.
Rep. Sanchez recently signed a letter to Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan expressing the deep concern of the United States in regard to this type of religious repression. Mr. Anagnos thanked the Congresswoman for her support and assured her that the AHC will work closely with her and other members to monitor the progress of this issue.
For more information on these and other Hellenic issues contact:
The American Hellenic Council of CA (323) 651-3507 (www.americanhellenic.org)
The American Hellenic Institute (202)785-8430 (www.ahiworld.com)
The Coordinated Effort of the Hellenes (202) 393-7790
