Testimony of Nick Larigakis
on behalf of the
American Hellenic Institute Public Affairs Committee, Inc.,
The Hellenic American National Council,
The Pan Macedonian Association of America,
The Pan Cretan Association of America,
The Hellenic American Women's Council,
The Cyprus Federation of America,
The Pan Laconian Federation of U.S.A. and Canada,
The Panepirotic Federation of America, and
The Pan Karpathian Educational Progressive Association

before the

House Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Operations,
Export Financing and Related Programs

May 9, 2002

Chairman Kolbe, and Members of the Subcommittee:

I am pleased to present testimony to the Subcommittee on behalf of the organizations listed above on the Administrationıs foreign aid proposals.

United States Interests in Southeast Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean

The U.S. has important interests in Southeast Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean. To the North of Greece are the Balkans, Eastern Europe and Russia, to the East the Middle East and to the South are North Africa and the Suez Canal. Significant communication links for commerce and energy sources pass through the region. The projection of U.S. interests in the region depends heavily on the stability of the region. Therefore, the U.S. has an important stake in fostering good relations between two NATO allies, Greece and Turkey and in achieving a just and viable settlement of the Cyprus problem.

A key to stability in the region is for Greece and Turkey to have good relations with each other, promote democratic ideals and principles, and maintain growing economies. However, Turkeyıs continuing occupation of Cyprus, its intransigence in solving the Cyprus problem, and ongoing human rights violations in Turkey, coupled with corrupt economic policies, threaten this stability, and by extension U.S. interests.

In promoting a multilateral approach to diplomacy and foreign policy, the U.S should look to Greece as an immensely valuable link in this region. With its close cultural, political and economic ties to the Mediterranean countries, Western Europe, the Balkans, Eastern Europe and the Middle East, Greece is an ideal partner for the U.S. with regard to diplomatic relations with countries from these regions.

We support the amount of $15 million in humanitarian aid for Cyprus. This aid is an important symbol of U.S. support for Cyprus and of the U.S. commitment to achieving a comprehensive solution. We further believe that it is imperative that the Administration continues to be engaged in the search for a settlement to the Cyprus problem and publicly call for the immediate demilitarization of Cyprus.

In 2001 the political, security and economic landscape in Southeast Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean made some progress. The emergence in 2000 of a democratic government in Serbia transformed the prospects for progress in the Balkans. Further, in 2000 and 2001, the European Union (EU) took the necessary practical steps to underpin the process of enlargement of the EU. The active involvement of the EU has improved the prospects for enhanced regional cooperation and development. U.S. interests stand to benefit from these developments.

Policy Themes

The policy themes advocated by the American Hellenic Institute since its founding in 1974 and reiterated in successive Greek American Policy Statements regarding Southeastern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean and their relation to U.S. interests and values are:

• U.S. interests are best served by applying the rule of law in international affairs;
• U.S. foreign policy should foster and embody U.S. values, including human rights;
• Greece is a pivotal nation for U.S. interests in Southeast Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean. As such the U.S. should develop a "special relationship" with Greece by expanding and deepening its relationship with Greece through a coordinated program in the political, military, commercial and cultural fields. Greece is a vigorous and stable democracy with a rapidly modernizing economy. Greece is a source of regional political leadership and democracy building, economic investment, and commercial expertise. Greece is the only regional state that is a member of the EU, NATO and the European Monetary Union (EMU). In 2004 Greece will host the Olympic Games;
• Cyprus is an important partner for U.S. strategic interests in the Eastern Mediterranean, and the continuing 28-year illegal invasion and occupation of Cyprus by a NATO member and U.S. ally, must not be tolerated. The U.S. should remain actively engaged in the search to the Cyprus problem based on UN resolutions, democratic principles, and EU legal principles and common practices;
• the U.S. should not apply double standards to Turkey on the rule of law, human rights, international and national State terrorism by Turkey; and
• U.S. interests are best served by supporting the rapprochement between Greece and Turkey.

The Main Problems of Concern to Greek Americans

A detailed discussion of the issues facing the U.S. of particular concern to Greek Americans is set forth in a copy of the 2002 Greek American Policy Statements, which is attached as Exhibit 1.

The issues, which are primarily caused by Turkey, include: the Aegean Sea, Cyprus, Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Halki Patriarchal School of Theology, arms sales and transfers to Turkey, Albania, Armenia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Kurds, and NATO.

Finally, in the interest of regional stability and dispute resolution, the U.S. should promote Turkeyıs emergence as a fully democratic state able to complete the EU accession process and to participate fully in the economic opportunities presented by the improved regional climate. This process will require fundamental change in Turkeyıs governmental institutions, particularly a reduced role for its ubiquitous military, including putting it under civilian rule, a significant improvement in its human rights record, and meaningfully addressing its intransigence over Cyprus and the Aegean. Past U.S. policy has not had this effect and needs to be critically reviewed by the Bush Administration and Congress.

Thank you Mr. Chairman.