| May 14, 2004 — Volume 31, Number 229 GENERAL NEWSAHI 29th Anniversary Dinner Honors Olympic Games
On March 13, 2004, the American Hellenic Institute (AHI) paid tribute to a distinguished group of individuals at its 29th Anniversary Hellenic Heritage Achievement and National Public Service Awards Dinner, held at the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C. Linked by their distinguished professional achievements as well as by their contributions to the Greek American community and to the community at-large, this year’s honorees included: George C. Chryssis renowned entrepreneur, philanthropist, poet and author; Ambassador Thomas J. Miller, Ambassador of the United States to Greece; Helen Nicozisis, prominent church activist and philanthropist; and George J. Tenet, Director of the CIA. This year’s Annual Dinner was dedicated to the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. AHI paid tribute to three Olympians to acknowledge their unyielding commitment to excellence in reaching the level of modern-day Olympians: Ms. Irene Andili, winner of the bronze medal in rhythmic gymnastics at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia, Mr. Charles Michael Mooney, world-champion boxer and winner of the silver medal in the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, Canada and Ms. Christa Dalakis, a Greek American member of the 2004 Greek Olympic Softball Team, which will compete in the Summer Games in Athens, Greece this August.
AHI Executive Director Nick Larigakis opened the evening’s program with a moving tribute and dedication in honor of the 2004 Athens Games. The evening commenced with the NBC and Athens 2004 Organizing Committee Promotional Videos of the Olympics, and continued with the Olympic Procession featuring local children from the Greek American community, followed by the Olympians, who entered the room to the rhythm of the Olympic Hymn. Greek Ambassador to the U.S., H.E. George Savvaides and AHI founder, Gene Rossides, presented the three stellar Olympians with Special Hellenic Heritage Achievement Awards. Following dinner, AHI Public Affairs Committee Chairman, Nicholas E. Chimicles, Esq., introduced the Master of Ceremonies, renowned TV Journalist, Andrea Stassou. Ms. Stassou called AHI founder, Gene Rossides on stage, where in his greetings he announced triumphantly that the mortgage on the Hellenic House, AHI’s headquarters, was paid off in February 2004. Ms. Stassou also introduced AHI Chairman, James Marketos, who presented a unique sponsorship opportunity offered by AHI, the “Olympic Flashback.” This is a 17-program radio series on the ancient Olympic Games hosted by premier sportscaster Bob Costas that provides high-impact exposure twice daily during The NBC/Westwood One Radio Network live coverage of the Games from Greece.
Dignitaries and government officials attending the event included: Greece’s Ambassador to the U.S. H.E. George Savvaides and his wife Maria, Cyprus Ambassador to the U.S. H.E. Euripides L. Evriviades, Senator and Mrs. Paul Sarbanes (D-MD), and Former U.S. Ambassador to Qatar, Patrick Theros. Part of the weekend activities was an Olympic Art Exhibition, featuring artist Euripides “Rip” Kastarisand the “Kyklos Circle of Glory Tribute” along with artist Erika Spyropoulos who introduced her works “Olympic Gods-Olympic Idea.” Prior to the Annual Dinner, AHI organized a Breakfast Seminar Honoring the Olympic Games. The Seminar featured three distinguished speakers: Ambassador of Greece to the U.S. H.E. George Savvaides, Dr. Alexander Kitroeff, Professor of History at Haverford College and internationally-acclaimed artist Euripides “Rip” Kastaris. The panel was chaired by AHI Chairman James Marketos. AHI Monitors Cyprus Issue and Defends “No” Vote on Annan PlanAHI played a vital role, both before and after the vote on the Annan Plan, in monitoring developments on the Cyprus issue and defending the position of Greek Cypriots as being in the best interests of the U.S. In total, AHI issued 21 press releases on the Annan Plan, the vote, and its aftermath. The position of AHI is that the overwhelming “no” vote of the 80 percent Greek Cypriot majority was a vote for the rule of law and for what is right. By that vote, Cyprus has become the conscience of the West on the rule of law. The Annan Plan has many flaws, and a leading flaw is its violations of the rule of law. Among the many examples of these violations are the following: (1) the Annan Plan is in violation of the Geneva Convention in not calling for the return to Turkey of all illegal colonists, an estimated 100,000; (2) the Annan Plan is in violation of the UN Charter by its attempt to eliminate Turkey’s responsibility for her 1974 aggression against Cyprus; and (3) the Annan Plan provided for a number of Turkish troops to remain with the right of intervention, and thus violated UN Security Council and UN General Assembly Resolutions; (4) the Annan Plan further violated UN Security Council and General Assembly Resolutions by abolishing the Republic of Cyprus and creating two states on Cyprus; and (5) the Annan Plan actually abrogated the legal right of Greek Cypriots to sue Turkey in the European Court of Human Rights for Turkey’s illegally taking of their homes and property and Turkey’s not allowing them the use of their property, and it also incredibly required pending suits to be withdrawn. AHI also articulated a fundamental double standard concerning the unjust appeasement of aggression contained in the Annan Plan. The United Nations established a precedent in the 1991 Gulf War that “aggression cannot and will not pay” as stated in a joint statement by President George H.W. Bush and President Mikhail Gorbachev in Helsinki on September 9, 1990. Yet under the Annan Plan, Turkey: (1) would not be required to remove her 100,000 illegal colonists; (2) would not be required to pay for the resettlement of Greek Cypriot refugees; (3) would be allowed to control 28.5 percent of Cyprus for the 18 percent Turkish Cypriot minority; and (4) would not be required to pay compensation for illegally occupying Greek Cypriot property and for preventing those property owners from using their property—indeed, under the Annan Plan, the Greek Cypriot taxpayer would be required to pay ninety percent of the damages caused by Turkey. AHI also recognized the tremendous courage and moral fortitude of President Tassos Papadopoulos, who after the Cyprus vote explained the following: “I should emphasize that the Greek Cypriots have not rejected the solution of the Cyprus problem. They are not turning their backs on their Turkish Cypriot compatriots. They have simply rejected this particular solution…because, amongst other things, they did not believe that this solution provides the necessary safeguards for its full implementation…or is the best for the common interest of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, ensuring a functional and, therefore, viable solution. The only real beneficiary of this plan would have been Turkey.” President Papadopoulos concluded memorably: “We, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, deserve a safe future within the European family, as one country, as the one people of Cyprus.” AHI believes that Cyprus is the conscience of the West on the rule of law. It is in the interests of the U.S. to support the rule of law and to support President Papadopoulos in his efforts to unify Cyprus for the benefit of the people of Cyprus, the Greek and Turkish Cypriots. AHI Submits Testimony to House Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign OperationsOn May 13, 2004, AHI President, Eugene Rossides, submitted testimony on behalf of AHI and the Hellenic American National Council to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export Financing and Related Programs. The testimony of Eugene Rossides:
For the full text of the testimony, please see our Web Site at <www.ahiworld.org>. AHI IN THE NEWS President’s Appearance on Voice of America’s NewsLine: April 23On April 23, 2004, AHI President, Gene Rossides, appeared on Voice of America’s NewsLine, a television news program hosted by David Borgida. On the eve of the Cyprus referenda, Mr. Rossides discussed the Annan Plan and the likely outcome of the vote. Mr. Rossides explained that “[t]he Annan plan is not in the best interests of the United States. It’s not in the best interests of the Greek Cypriots, nor of the E.U. And in my judgment, it’s not in the best interests of the Turkish Cypriots.” Mr. Rossides characterized the plan as “an undemocratic plan” because it “has an 18 percent minority having veto powers over the majority, the 80 percent majority, whereas in Afghanistan the U.S. supports majority rule.” He explained that the plan is not financially viable because it will cost many billions of dollars to execute, and because the plan “actually asks the Greek Cypriots to pay for their own losses that were incurred by the Turkish invasion regarding their property.” The plan is also unworkable, according to Mr. Rossides, since it “keeps Turkish troops on an independent country, Cyprus, after Cyprus joins the E.U. on May 1…[and] those troops have the right of intervention. This is in this plan.” Mr. Rossides ended the interview by concluding memorably that the plan “subverts and blatantly damages the rule of law in international affairs.” The National Herald: February 14, March 6, April 3, April 17On February 14, March 6, April 3, and April 17, 2004, the National Herald published op-ed articles written by AHI President, Gene Rossides. The February 14 article, “Erdogan Visit – Double Standards and Appeasement,” urged Greek Americans to “consider the Erdogan visit as a clarion call to action.” Mr. Rossides’ March 6 article, “Cyprus and the Kissinger Cover-up,” discussed the on-going cover-up of former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger’s role concerning the 1974 events in Cyprus. The April 3 article, “The Annan Plan and the Rule of Law,” emphasized that the “guiding principle for all the parties to the Annan Plan negotiations for a Cyprus settlement should be the Rule of Law.” And, most recently, Mr. Rossides’ April 17, 2004 article, “President Papadopoulos’ ‘Resounding NO’ to the Annan Plan” praised President Papadopoulos’ televised speech to the people of Cyprus prior to the vote on the Annan Plan. AHI sends three Letters to the EditorThe Washington Post: April 7 On April 7, 2004, AHI Executive Director, Nick Larigakis, sent a letter to the editor responding to a Washington Post editorial titled, “A Mediterranean Endgame” (April 7, 2004; Page A30), which calls for Greek Cypriots to vote “yes” to the Annan Plan. Mr. Larigakis’ letter criticized the widespread misconceptions about the Annan Plan that were included in the editorial. The New York Times: April 27 On April 27, 2004, AHI President, Gene Rossides, submitted a letter to the editor repsonding to a New York Times editorial titled, “A Destructive Vote in Cyprus” (April 27, 2004; Page A24). Mr. Rossides’ letter took issue with the characterization of the vote as “destructive,” since the Annan Plan itself was fundamentally undemocratic and unviable, and as such deserved to be rejected. The Baltimore Sun: May 4 On May 4, 2004, AHI Executive Director, Nick Larigakis, submitted a letter to the editor responding to a Baltimore Sun editorial titled, “Missed Opportunity” (May 3, 2004), which criticized Greek Cypriots for not voting “yes” for the Annan Plan referendum in Cyprus. In his letter, Mr. Larigakis set the record straight on the elements of the Annan Plan that the editorial misconstrued, and he offered a cogent defense of the Greek Cypriot vote.NOON FORUMS Cyprus BriefingAHI hosted a noon forum on February 17, 2004, featuring the Ambassador of Cyprus to the U.S., Mr. Euripides L. Evriviades. Ambassador Evriviades briefed AHI members and guests on the recent developments concerning the Cyprus issue. The Annan Plan Debated
On February 26, 2004 AHI hosted U.S. Special Coordinator on Cyprus, Ambassador Thomas G. Weston, at an AHI noon forum. Ambassador Weston advised AHI members and guests of recent Cyprus developments, and he opined that there are two key factors that would influence the outcome of the referenda: (i) the availability of financial resources for compensation, and (ii) the degree to which the political leadership supports the settlement in a referendum. The audience addressed tough questions to Ambassador Weston regarding the need for changes in the Annan Plan with respect to the issues of majority rule, property rights, freedom of movement and decision making within the European Union. Greece’s role as a power for stability and peaceAHI’s Noon Forum on May 4, 2004 featured Deputy Minister of Defense, Mr. Vasilios Michaloliakos, who discussed Greece’s role as a power for stability and peace in a region afflicted with social tumult and political instability. Mr. Michaloliakos explained that Greece has several distinct advantages that will enable it to play an effective role in the Balkans, including: (i) its longstanding history as a democratic nation and contributing member of the international community, (ii) its positive relations with neighboring countries, and (iii) its vast political efforts to establish democratic structures in all Balkan nations. Mr. Michaloliakos further explained that Greece is uniquely positioned to promote peace and stability because it “has good economic relations and commercial cooperation with all of her neighbors,” and because Greece has taken important steps to “promote democratic structures” in all Balkan states and to integrate those nations into the broader international community.LETTERS TO THE PRESIDENT February 19, 2004 AHI President, Gene Rossides, sent a letter to President George W. Bush on behalf of the major Greek American membership organizations. The joint statement called for serious changes in the Annan Plan in the interests of the U.S. The letter enumerated several significant shortcomings of the Annan Plan, including its undemocratic and unworkable nature, its subversion of property rights, its failure to fully demilitarize Cyprus, and its unfair territorial adjustments. The letter called on President Bush to proactively seek changes in the Annan Plan in accordance with U.S. values and interests. April 7, 2004 AHI President, Gene Rossides, sent a letter to President George W. Bush to express disappointment regarding the president’s public references to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) as “Macedonia.” The letter advises President Bush of the historical record and calls on him to refrain from using—and to strongly oppose—any name for the former Yugoslav republic that includes the word “Macedonia.” April 19, 2004 A joint letter to President George W. Bush signed by leading Armenian, Kurdish and Greek American organizations states that the fifth and final version of the Annan Plan is “still not in the best interests of the U.S.” The letter enumerates the serious flaws of the Annan Plan and criticizes the Administration for its “rank interference in the internal affairs of the Greek Cypriots.”LETTERS TO GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS Bilirakis-Maloney LettersOn March 19, 2004, Rep. Michael Bilirakis (R-FL) and Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Hellenic Caucus, sent letters to Secretary of State Colin L. Powell and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan that voice concerns about the viability of the Annan Plan for Cyprus. Rep. Bilirakis and Maloney were joined by 45 Members of Congress who co-signed the letters. In acknowledgement of the worthy effort of members of Congress, AHI Executive Director, Nick Larigakis, stated: “I applaud the Members of Congress who signed the letters to Secretary of State Colin Powell and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Cyprus. We are particularly thankful to Rep. Bilirakis and Maloney for introducing these two letters that stress the flaws in the Annan Plan and the need for serious changes in it, in the best interests of the U.S.” AHI Congratulates Cypriot President Tassos PapadopoulosOn April 8, 2004, AHI President, Gene Rossides, sent a letter to Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos to congratulate him for his “strong leadership” and his “call for a ‘resounding NO’ on the April 24th referendum” of the Annan Plan. The letter also commends President Papadopoulos for his “strong leadership, fairness and vision,” and assures him that AHI will “continue its efforts to support a settlement based on the rule of law as in the best interests of the U.S. and all the parties concerned.”STATEMENTS March 3, 2004 On March 3, 2004, U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), a member of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, issued an important statement on the House floor regarding the resumption of the Cyprus peace negotiations. In his statement, Rep. Pallone highlighted the undemocratic and unworkable nature of the Annan Plan and advocated the need for serious changes to be made. The Congressman poignantly explained that “[u]nfortunately, there are parts of the Annan plan that make it virtually impossible for an established government to function,” and he concluded that the Annan Plan is a “basis for negotiations…but it should not be the final outcome.” April 21, 2004 On April 21, 2004, U.S. Rep. Michael Bilirakis (R-FL), Co-Chair of the Congressional Hellenic Caucus, issued a compelling and substantive statement on the House floor in opposition to the “unbalanced and biased” nature of the fifth and final version of the Annan Plan which was submitted on March 31, 2004. Congressman Bilirakis stated that “there are a number of provisions in the Annan plan that do not alleviate the basic fears of the Greek-Cypriot community,” and accordingly, he explained that these unresolved issues “may very well lead the Greek-Cypriots to reject the Annan plan.” April 22, 2004 On April 22, 2004, AHI President, Gene Rossides, issued a response to the false and misleading statement made by the White House Press Secretary on April 21. The AHI statement debunked the numerous myths propagated by the Press Secretary’s statement, and it shed light on the fact that the Annan Plan: does not offer a “hopeful vision of a peaceful and prosperous future for all Cypriots;” does not outline “an equitable compromise;” and does not create a state “with workable governing institutions.” April 26, 2004 On April 26, 2004, following the Cyprus referenda, AHI President, Gene Rossides, issued a statement supporting the Greek Cypriot vote on the Annan Plan. He astutely observed that the overwhelming “no” vote of the 80 percent Greek Cypriot majority was a “vote for the rule of law and for what is right,” thereby making Cyprus “the conscience of the West on the rule of law.” The statement concluded that, “[i]t is in the interests of the U.S. to support the rule of law and to support President Papadopoulos in his efforts to unify Cyprus for the benefit of the people of Cyprus, the Greek and Turkish Cypiots.” BUSINESS NETWORK AT WORKThanos Basdekis of Regan, Halperin & Long Discusses Various Proposals for Legal Reform at AHI Business Network Luncheon
On Thursday, February 19, 2004, the American Hellenic Institute’s (AHI) Business Network luncheon featured AHI member Thanos Basdekis, Attorney at Law, Regan, Halperin & Long, PLLC, at the Capital Hilton Hotel. In his riveting presentation, Mr. Basdekis addressed the various proposals for legal reform now dotting the political landscape, and how those proposals, if passed, would impact the rights of victims and defendants. On the subject of medical malpractice, Mr. Basdekis explained that there does indeed exist a crisis, but that the crisis has nothing to do with lawsuits being filed on behalf of victims. The real crisis is the crisis of medical malpractice itself in this country, where quite shockingly, 98,000 people die annually due to medical errors. Lawsuits are simply a response to the woefully inadequate medical care that many people receive here in the United States. Mr. Basdekis also pointed out that, due to the efforts of trial lawyers, America is safer today than it has ever been. “When juries speak, corporate America listens,” explained Mr. Basdekis, who cited the fact that numerous defective products—including defectively designed cribs that once strangled infants, flammable children’s pajamas, and once-harmful medical devices—have all been redesigned as a result of successful lawsuits brought by plaintiff’s attorneys on behalf of injured victims. Mr. Basdekis is also an Adjunct Professor at the Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law, where he has taught a class in Advanced Federal Practice and Procedure since August 2000. He graduated with honors from Yale Law School in 1997, where he also served for two years as an editor on the Yale Law Journal. Following a clerkship for the Honorable Leonard B. Sand, United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York, Mr. Basdekis joined the trial law firm of Regan, Halperin & Long, and his successes include a recent $5 million verdict against the District of Columbia in a pool accident case. AHI CHAPTER NEWS
On March 5, 2004, Captain Christos Zirps ended his highly successful three-year tenure as President of AHI-Northern Virginia. AHI Executive Director, Nick Larigakis, attended the ceremony and presented a plaque to Captain Zirps commemorating his numerous contributions to the chapter. Mr. Larigakis recognized that, among Captain Zirps’ many successful initiatives, he succeeded in expanding the Chapter’s membership and establishing the first ever AHI-Northern Virginia scholarship fund. Captain Zirps is a highly decorated veteran of the United States Navy. Thanos Basdekis, Esq., was inaugurated as the new President of AHI-Northern Virginia. The enumerated goals of Mr. Basdekis include further expanding the Chapter’s membership, as well as contributing to the education of American politicians on issues important to Greek Americans. AHI MEMBERS IN THE NEWS NICHOLAS BOURAS, entrepreneur, church leader, philanthropist and war hero, is an honoree of the 24th Annual Lifetime Achievement Award, which will be presented to him by the Alpha Omega Council of Boston. Mr. Bouras, who is the founder and president of Bouras Industries, has previously been recognized with other distinguished honors, including the Ernest & Young Entrepreneur Award, the Ellis Island Medal of Honor Award, and AHI’s Hellenic Heritage Achievement Award. NICHOLAS E. CHIMICLES, Chairman of AHIPAC and senior partner of Chimicles & Tikellis, has been selected as a recipient of the coveted Ellis Island Medal of Honor Award for 2004. Mr. Chimicles is being honored for his landmark achievements in his profession as well as his generous contributions to the community. NICHOLAS G. KARAMBELAS, AHI legal counsel and Advisory Board Member, has been nominated to run for the prestigious position of Secretary of the Bar of the District of Columbia. The term is one year. The District of Columbia Bar oversees the practice of 75,000 member attorneys nationwide. The results will be announced on June 5, 2004. CONSTANTINE PAPADAKIS, President of Drexel University, was honored by the Italian government which conferred upon him the title of “Cavalier Official” in the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. Mr. Papadakis received this notable honor in recognition of his successful efforts to forge a strong relationship between Drexel University and universities in Italy, Italian corporations, and the Italian-American community. TED G. SPYROPOULOS, President of the Hellenic American National Council and AHI Advisory Board Member, submitted a letter to the Chicago Sun-Times, which was published on May 12, 2004 under the title “No better Olympics site than Athens.” Mr. Spyropoulos’ letter offered an eloquent response to a Chicago Sun-Times column by Jay Mariotti (“Why keep games in Athens?” May 6, 2004). GENERAL NEWSAHI Hosts Congressional Salute to Greek Independence Day
On March 23, 2004, the American Hellenic Institute hosted “A Congressional Salute to Greek Independence Day” at the Rayburn Building on Capitol Hill to celebrate the 183rd Anniversary of Greek Independence and the common democratic ideals held by Greece and the United States. The event was held in cooperation with the Congressional Hellenic Caucus’s co-sponsors, Representative Michael Bilirakis (R-FL) and Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-NY). AHI Executive Director Nick Larigakis opened the ceremony by welcoming guests and thanking Rep. Bilirakis and Rep. Maloney for their support in organizing the reception and for their ongoing efforts in promoting Hellenic American issues in the U.S. Congress. Mr. Larigakis referred to the recent Bilirakis-Maloney letters, which were sent to Secretary of State Colin L. Powell and Secretary General Kofi Annan and called for revision of “certain provisions in the current Annan Plan that could render it unworkable.” Mr. Larigakis also mentioned AHI’s contribution to the conception and promotion of the letters, which were approved and signed by 45 Members of Congress.
Greek Ambassador George Savvaides and Cypriot Ambassador Euripides L. Evriviades offered their remarks regarding the impact of Greece’s struggle for independence. Members of Congress attending the reception and addressing the audience included (in order of appearance): Rep. Shelley Berkeley (D-NV), Rep. Howard Coble (R-NC), Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD), Rep. Mike Bilirakis(R-FL), Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Rep. Steven Rothman(D-NJ). Also attending the reception were Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ) and Rep. Gene Green (D-TX). Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) expressed appreciation for the Bilirakis-Maloney letters and for the numerous supporters in Congress and the community at-large of that effort. Rep. Michael Bilirakis (R-FL) thanked AHI for organizing the event and referred to the historical significance of this day. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) also spoke about Cyprus and offered praise for the Bilirakis-Maloney letter. Rep. Steve Rothman (D-NJ) praised Greece for its excellent cooperation with the U.S. on terrorism. Like many of his colleagues, Rep. Rothman discussed the Cyprus issue and the important steps that need to be taken going forward. Rep. Rothman criticized Denktash for his intransigence and offered the American Hellenic Institute his personal support as a member of the House Appropriations Committee. 2004 Greek American Policy Statements ReleasedIn February 2004, AHI released its 2004 Greek American Policy Statements. The Policy Statements set forth the positions of the major Greek American membership organizations on issues of concern to Greek Americans based on what is in the best interests of the U.S. The Policy Statements highlight some of the significant changes taking place in Southeast Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean, focusing on the strategic importance of Greece and Cyprus as stable, prosperous and democratic regional partners of the U.S. The Policy Statements also call on the U.S. government to remain active in seeking a Cyprus settlement, to push for a resolution of the Aegean Sea boundary dispute between Greece and Turkey, and to stop applying a double standard to Turkey with respect to the rule of law and human rights. This year’s statements were prepared by AHI and reviewed and endorsed by key Greek American organizations, including: Order of AHEPA; Hellenic American National Council (HNAC); Cyprus Federation of America; Panepirotic Federation of American; Pan-Macedonian Association of America; Evrytanian Association of America; Pan-Cretan Association of America; and American Hellenic Council of California. The full text of the 2004 Policy Statements is available at <www.ahiworld.org>. Summer Internships Available in WashingtonDo you know of someone who would like to intern this summer at the American Hellenic Institute? Interns will have the opportunity to work in a historic building just a few blocks away from the White House and to experience first hand the excitement and practical understanding of how foreign policy is developed in this country. It will be an experience that they will cherish and appreciate especially during this election year. In the past AHI interns have gone on to fine positions in the public and private sector. The responsibilities of the intern will include (but are not limited to): monitor legislation and congressional hearings, liaison with Congressional offices, assist with the 2004 AHIPAC Congressional Questionnaire, conduct research on issues affecting U.S.-Greece-Cyprus relations, write memoranda, press releases and letters and assist with general administrative duties. The duration of the internship varies depending on each student’s schedule, but most internships begin in mid to late May and end in late August and they are expected to work full time-35 hours per week. The internship is unsalaried and we do not provide housing. All foreign students must have a current student visa and/or work permit. Qualified applicants must have completed coursework or have experience in U.S. relations with Greece and Cyprus, excellent oral and written communication skills and knowledge of word processing—MS Word. To apply, qualified applicants should mail a cover letter with:
Applications should be mailed to: If you have any questions please Yola Pakhchanian directly via email at <yola@ahiworld.org>. For additional information you may refer to our Web Site at <www/ahiworld.org>. |
