Presidential Candidate Bill Richardson Responds to AHI Questionnaire Issues Policy Statement on Cyprus

States that “the continued illegal occupation of Cyprus by Turkey adversely affects stability in the region and violates basic human rights.”

Supports AHI Initiated Legislation Regarding Real Property on Cyprus

WASHINGTON, DC—On June 27, 2007 the Richardson for President campaign issued the following Policy Statement on Cyprus:

“As Ambassador to the United Nations, I came to understand that the continued illegal occupation of Cyprus by Turkey adversely affects stability in the region and violates basic human rights.

Although the United States recognizes only the Republic of Cyprus as the only government on the island of Cyprus, as President, I would assure that no organ of the United States government would act in any way that may compromise the effect of that recognition. I would also support legislation pending in Congress that would enable U.S. citizens to seek reimbursement for their exclusion from the continued use of their property by Turkey and persons acting under the protection of the Turkish occupation.”

The statement stems from the American Hellenic Institute’s questionnaire that was sent to all the Presidential Candidates on May 23, 2007.

The questions were based in each case on what is in the best interests of the United States and were drawn from the issues that concern Americans of Hellenic descent. The questions deal with U.S. relations with Greece, Cyprus and Turkey as they bear on overall U.S. interests in the region.

“We are very pleased that Governor Richardson issued this very favorable and important statement regarding Cyprus. In his statement, he highlights one of the most important elements regarding the Cyprus issue, that of the ‘illegal occupation of Cyprus by Turkey.’ We thank Governor Richardson for being the first Presidential candidate to respond to our questionnaire,” said AHI President, Gene Rossides.

“We are also very pleased that Governor Richardson is in support of pending legislation in Congress ‘that would enable U.S. citizens to seek reimbursement for their exclusion from the continued use of their property by Turkey and persons acting under the protecton of the Turkish occupation,’” continued Rossides.

The legislation referred to by Governor Richardson was initiated by the AHI and is known as the American-Owned Property In Occupied Cyprus Claims Act. The Senate bill is S.695 and the House version is H.R. 1456.

This legislation would enable U.S. citizens who own property in the Turkish occupied territory of the Republic of Cyprus to seek financial remedies with either the current inhabitants of their land or the Turkish government.

To view the letter from Governor Richardson please go to the following link: https://ahiworld.org/pdfs/Greekletter.pdf

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For additional information, please contact Georgia Economou at (202) 785-8430 or georgia@ahiworld.org. For general information regarding the activities of AHI, please view our Web site at https://www.ahiworld.org.