American Hellenic Institute

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AHI Letter to President Bush States That the Time Is Ripe for Cyprus Settlement Based on Democratic Norms
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: CHRYSOULA ECONOMOPOULOS
May 16, 2003 No. 27 (202) 785-8430

AHI Letter to President Bush States That the
Time Is Ripe for Cyprus Settlement Based on Democratic Norms

WASHINGTON, DC—A letter to President George W. Bush by the American Hellenic Institute’s (AHI) General Counsel Gene Rossides sent on May 15, 2003, stated that “the time is propitious for positive movement on a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem.” Supporting this comment, two new factors were cited. The first and most important new factor is Cyprus’s accession to the European Union (EU) on April 16, 2003. The second key factor cited is that the war on Iraq has demonstrated (1) Turkey’s unreliability as a strategic ally by its refusal to help the U.S.; (2) that Turkey is of minimal strategic value for U.S. interests in the Middle East; and (3) that Turkey is an “extortionist” state.

Mr. Rossides called for a change in “our flawed policy towards Turkey.” He stated:

“[T]here is no need now, if there ever was, for the U.S. to continue its harmful policy of double standards for Turkey on the rule of law and human rights. There is a need now, in the interests of the U.S., to change our flawed policy towards Turkey. Business as usual with Turkey would be harmful to U.S. interests.”

AHI’s letter brought to the fore recommendations for (1) a Cyprus settlement based on democratic norms, (2) the immediate return of Famagusta/Varosha to the Government of Cyprus under U.N. auspices for the resettlement of refugees, (3) the demilitarization of Cyprus, and (4) the prompt return of the illegal Turkish colonists/settlers to their homes in Turkey.

In concluding, Mr. Rossides urged President Bush to “champion democracy and the rule of law uniformly in matters of foreign policy, including the question of Cyprus,” as in the best interest of the U.S.

The full text of AHI’s letter to President Bush is attached (click here). For additional information, please contact Chrysoula Economopoulos at (202) 785-8430 or at chrysoula@ahiworld.org. For general information about the activities of AHI, please see our Web site at https://www.ahiworld.org.

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The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) and its affiliate organizations, the American Hellenic Institute Public Affairs Committee (AHIPAC), the American Hellenic Institute Foundation (AHIF), and the AHI Business Network, a division of the AHI, are working together under one roof, to provide a joint program for strengthening United States relations with Greece and Cyprus and within the American Hellenic community.

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