2000: New Year Message From AHI Founder Eugene T. RossidesSince its formation in 1974, the American Hellenic Institute has sought to articulate a consistent, firm, and clear message about U.S. interests in Southeastern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean and their relation to U.S. values. This is that:
At the risk of political unpopularity but with the steadfast support of our members, we have not deviated from this message. In 1999 our message finally brought some welcome advances:
AHI does not, of course, assert that its efforts alone were responsible for these advances. Many other factors have been involved and AHI takes this opportunity to pay tribute to the efforts of others, foremost the peoples of Greece and Cyprus whose positive and constructive spirit has done so much to promote regional progress, and the many Greek American organizations and the friends of the rule of law and American values in the Congress. AHI would also like to congratulate U.S. Ambassador to Greece Nicholas Burns for his outstanding contributions to U.S.-Greece relations. After battling so long against the forces of appeasement and double standards and suffering criticism for a lack of political correctness, AHI is proud to have played a part in these gratifying developments. Much work remains to be done to ensure that these advances are fully consolidated and implemented. On Turkey, the Administration and its career officials in the State and Defense Departments and National Security Council have a track record of chronic unreliability and duplicity. For years, the Administration has preferred to appease Turkey and to turn a blind eye to Turkey's aggression and human rights abuses. We must remain alert to any Administration backsliding or pressure to grant Turkey special favors. We will be particularly vigilant to monitor the readiness of Turkey to take meaningful steps to meet the EU conditions, especially regarding the Aegean and Cyprus. We will continue to stress the responsibility of career officials for the Administration's failure to apply American values and principles and instead to follow undemocratic policies of appeasement and double standards toward Turkey. We will highlight their cover-up role. As the Cyprus settlement negotiations unfold, we will monitor and resist any attempt to reward aggression or to undermine democratic norms and constitutional propriety. In 1999 the Administration continued its seven-year record of giving a high priority to Cyprus in terms of rhetoric but no substantive pressure on Turkey to take positive action. Indeed there are reports that the Administration is pressuring the Cyprus government to make concessions. We will not allow the Administration's rhetoric on Cyprus to obscure the need for real pressure on Turkey to negotiate in good faith. We will resist any attempts to force further concessions from the Cyprus government as contrary to U.S. interests and values. The presidential and congressional elections in 2000 provide an important opportunity to project AHI positions. As in previous years, we will prepare a questionnaire for each candidate seeking his or her views on issues of concern to the Greek American community. In 2000 AHI will be undertaking new efforts to promote an ever closer U.S. relationship with Greece and Cyprus as in the best interests of the U.S. Our November 1999 inaugural conferences in Athens and Nicosia were steps along that road. The support of our members is the vital element in any success we have had. In 2000 we will redouble our efforts to reflect this. We will be looking at ways to create new opportunities for our members to benefit from the ever-broader interaction of our membership and from the deepening relationship with Greece and Cyprus. We thank our members for their loyal support and go forward in confidence that we can count on their continued support. Eugene T. Rossides |
2000: New Year Message From AHI Founder Eugene T. Rossides
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