AHIPAC Sends Greek American Issues Questionnaire
To Presidential Candidates

On February 10, 2000 the American Hellenic Institute Public Affairs Committee (AHIPAC) sent a letter and questionnaire to the Democrat and Republican presidential candidates. The letter seeks the candidates' response to the following six questions:

"If elected President of the United States would your Administration:

1. Form a "special relationship" with Greece in accordance with Greece's status as the key regional nation for U.S. interests?
2. Publicly state that the maritime borders in the Aegean between Greece and Turkey have been delimited by international treaty and that, as far as international and U.S. law is concerned, there are no unresolved territorial disputes in the Aegean?
3. Publicly state that the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul should enjoy full religious and other freedoms, including the right to reopen the Halki School of Theology, and that any failure to achieve these objectives will be deemed a human rights violation?
4. Publicly acknowledge that it is a high priority for U.S. foreign policy to achieve a long-term resolution of the Cyprus problem consistent with fundamental American values, the rule of law and United Nations resolutions?
5. Direct the relevant U.S. departments to conduct a critical review of U.S. policy toward Turkey so that it is consistent with U.S. democratic and human rights principles?
6. Publicly welcome the decision of the European Union at its December 10-11, 1999 meeting in Helsinki to apply strict conditionality to Turkey's candidacy for EU accession and direct the relevant departments to provide regular public accounts of Turkey's progress in meeting this conditionality?"

AHIPAC Chairman Mr. Nicholas E. Chimicles stated:

"With events moving fast in Southeast Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean, the next Administration will face important decisions about American relations with Greece, Cyprus and Turkey. I hope that the answers provided through this questionnaire will assist AHIPAC members and all members of the Greek American community to reach an informed judgment about the 2000 presidential election."