American Hellenic Institute

2017bookcover

Facebook Image
AHI Submits Testimony to House Appropriations Subcommittee on FY2012 Foreign Aid to Southeastern Europe, Eastern Mediterranean
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Demetra Atsaloglou
April 19, 2011—No. 29 (202) 785-8430

 

WASHINGTON, DC — The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) submitted testimony to the House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Agencies on the Obama Administration’s foreign aid proposals for FY2012 on Thursday, April 14, 2011.

In the best interests of the United States, AHI’s testimony opposed:

  1. any military assistance the administration will request for Turkey until Turkey removes its troops and illegal Turkish settlers in Cyprus;
  2. aid the administration will request for the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM); and
  3. any reduction that might be introduced in the aid levels for the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus.

In addition, the testimony strongly opposed the $7.5 million reduction of Economic Support Fund (ESF) funding for Cyprus.  The FY2012 proposed level of funding is $3.5 million.  However, AHI testified that it supports continued ESF funding for Cyprus as long as it is tied exclusively to bi-communal projects of the island as mandated by U.S. law.  The law states U.S. funds are to support only “measures aimed at reunification.”

“It is vital to ensure the Greek American community’s positions on American foreign aid to this region are submitted for the record via the Subcommittee’s acceptance of written testimony,” said President Nick Larigakis, who submitted the testimony.  “The Subcommittee is under new leadership and it is especially important to ensure our position is presented.”

The House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Agencies is chaired by U.S. Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX).  U.S. Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY) is the ranking member.

To read AHI’s testimony, please click here.

###

The American Hellenic Institute is a non-profit Greek American public policy center that works to strengthen relations between the United States and Greece and Cyprus, and within the Greek American community.   

For additional information, please contact Demetra Atsaloglou at (202) 785-8430 or at pr@ahiworld.org. For general information about the activities of AHI, please see our website at https://www.ahiworld.org.


The American Hellenic Institute is a nonprofit public policy organization that works to strengthen relations between the United States and Greece and Cyprus, and also within the American Hellenic community.

1220 16th Street, NW | Washington, D.C. 20036
Phone 202-785-8430 | Fax 202-785-5178 |
www.ahiworld.org