AHI Launches Major Media Campaign on U.S. Policy Toward Turkey

Starting on October 15, 1999, the American Hellenic Institute launched a major campaign to highlight the grave deficiencies of U.S. policy toward Turkey. In a letter and accompanying memorandum to the U.S. print and electronic media, AHI describes a pattern of systematic abuses underlying U.S. policy toward Turkey. Thirty such letters have been sent to date and a total of at least 100 will be sent by year end. AHI Chapters and Representatives around the nation are also receiving copies of the letter and memorandum for the purpose of follow-up action with their local media.

Describing these abuses as one of the great underwritten stories of U.S. foreign policy, the letter urges the media to give greater coverage to these issues as they go to the heart of what the U.S. as a country stands for. They are relevant to critical areas of American governance. The memorandum sets out seven areas as meriting media investigation and reporting:

1. The U.S. as Accomplice to Turkey's Ethnic Cleansing, Crimes Against Humanity and Genocide;
2. The U.S. as Accomplice to Turkey's Violations of U.S. and International Law;
3. The Cover-Up Role of the State Department, Defense Department and NSC Regarding Cyprus;
4. The Role of U.S. Officials in Undermining American Values;
5. The U.S. as Accomplice to Turkey's Lawlessness Against Its Own Citizens;
6. The Role of Foreign Money in U.S. Governance;
7. The Kidnapping and Murder of Five Americans by Turkish Military Forces/Turkish Cypriot Militia in 1974 and the Failure of the U.S. to Investigate and Take Action Against Those Responsible; and
8. Turkey's Non-Democratic Status

This is a story of national disgrace with universal interest. These issues concern fundamental U.S. values: freedom, democracy, decency, human rights, the rule of law, and the values and principles we fought for in World War II and against Soviet communism. Turkey has been and continues to be a stain on the honor, integrity and credibility of NATO and the U.S.

Critical aspects of our foreign policy are going unreported or underreported to the great detriment of our national interests and values. The fact that our government is turning its back on these values regarding Turkey is a major news item.

Copies of the letter and memorandum are attached.

Starting on October 15, 1999, the American Hellenic Institute launched a major campaign to highlight the grave deficiencies of U.S. policy toward Turkey. In a letter and accompanying memorandum to the U.S. print and electronic media, AHI describes a pattern of systematic abuses underlying U.S. policy toward Turkey. Thirty such letters have been sent to date and a total of at least 100 will be sent by year end. AHI Chapters and Representatives around the nation are also receiving copies of the letter and memorandum for the purpose of follow-up action with their local media.

Describing these abuses as one of the great underwritten stories of U.S. foreign policy, the letter urges the media to give greater coverage to these issues as they go to the heart of what the U.S. as a country stands for. They are relevant to critical areas of American governance. The memorandum sets out seven areas as meriting media investigation and reporting:

1. The U.S. as Accomplice to Turkey's Ethnic Cleansing, Crimes Against Humanity and Genocide;
2. The U.S. as Accomplice to Turkey's Violations of U.S. and International Law;
3. The Cover-Up Role of the State Department, Defense Department and NSC Regarding Cyprus;
4. The Role of U.S. Officials in Undermining American Values;
5. The U.S. as Accomplice to Turkey's Lawlessness Against Its Own Citizens;
6. The Role of Foreign Money in U.S. Governance;
7. The Kidnapping and Murder of Five Americans by Turkish Military Forces/Turkish Cypriot Militia in 1974 and the Failure of the U.S. to Investigate and Take Action Against Those Responsible; and
8. Turkey's Non-Democratic Status

This is a story of national disgrace with universal interest. These issues concern fundamental U.S. values: freedom, democracy, decency, human rights, the rule of law, and the values and principles we fought for in World War II and against Soviet communism. Turkey has been and continues to be a stain on the honor, integrity and credibility of NATO and the U.S.

Critical aspects of our foreign policy are going unreported or underreported to the great detriment of our national interests and values. The fact that our government is turning its back on these values regarding Turkey is a major news item.

Copies of the letter and memorandum are attached.