Representative Rob Andrews and 15 Co-Sponsors Introduce Resolution Recognizing Existing Water Boundaries Between Greece and Turkey in the Aegean

On May 25, 2000 Representative Rob Andrews (D-NJ) introduced H.Con.Res.340 "expressing the sense of the Congress regarding Turkey's claims of sovereignty over islands and islets in the Aegean." The Resolution establishes that:

1. the water boundaries established in the 1923 Lausanne Treaty of Peace, the 1932 Convention and Protocol between Italy and Turkey, and the 1947 Paris Treaty of Peace, under which the Dodecanese islands and adjacent islets were ceded by Italy to Greece, are the borders between Greece and Turkey in the Aegean Sea; and
2. any party, including Turkey, objecting to these established boundaries should seek redress in the International Court of Justice at The Hague."

The effect of H.Con.Res.340 is to express the House of Representatives' view that the boundaries as between Greece and Turkey in the Aegean have been established once and for all and that islands and islets on the Greek side, including the islets of Imia, are Greek sovereign territory.

The Resolution was introduced by Congressman Rob Andrews (D-NJ). As of May 30, 2000, the co-sponsors were Representatives Gary Ackermann (D-NY), Michael Bilirakis (R-FL), Rod Blagojevich (D-IL), Michael Capuano (D-MA), William Coyne (D-PA), Joseph Crowley (D-NY), Bob Filner (D-CA), Ron Klink (D-PA), Joseph Knollenberg (R-MI), Carolyn Maloney (D-CT), James McGovern (D-MA), Michael McNulty (D-NY), Donald Payne (D-NJ), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), and Brad Sherman (D-CA)

H.Con.Res.340 incorporates language initiated by the American Hellenic Institute Public Affairs Committee (AHIPAC) and first introduced on November 7, 1997 by Congressman Mike Pappas (R-NJ) in the 105th Congress. It also incorporates language from Amendment 19 to H.R. 2415 introduced by Representative Andrews and passed by the House of Representatives by unanimous voice vote by on July 21, 1999.

AHIPAC Chairman Nick Chimicles stated:

"AHIPAC commends Representative Andrews for introducing this Resolution. It reaffirms the core American interest in the rule of law. AHIPAC thanks the current co-sponsors and urges all Members of Congress to consider co-sponsoring or supporting H.Con.Res.340."

AHIPAC Executive Director Nick Larigakis stated:

"AHIPAC will be contacting its grass roots leadership and members and the wider Greek American community to encourage them to write or call their local Representatives to urge them to support H.Con.Res.340."