September 15, 2008

 

 

Mr. Dennis McDonough

Foreign Policy Advisor

Obama - Biden

P.O. Box 8102

Chicago, IL  60680

 

Dear Mr. McDonough:

 

One behalf of the nation-wide membership of the American Hellenic Institute (AHI) I am pleased to present you with a series of policy statements regarding issues that are of great importance to our community and are set forth in each case on the basis of what is in the best interests of the United States.

 

We hope that you will review these statements and consider them for incorporation into Sen. Barack ObamaÕs foreign policy platform.  Specifically, we would appreciate any consideration given to a statement being prepared that would incorporate elements of these positions. 

 

Be assured that the AHI would facilitate distribution of any such statement so that it would reach out to the entire Greek American community.

AHI 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. We are proud of the role we have played in keeping elected leaders and top government officials abreast of issues that affect U.S. relations with Greece and Cyprus, as well as the Southeastern Europe and Eastern Mediterranean region.   

Our testimony and letters to Congress and the Executive Branch have focused on a wide range of topics, including the rule of law regarding Cyprus, the Aegean, the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Greek minority in Albania, and opposition to the recognition of the Skopje regime under the name of ÒMacedonia.Ó

We have also included for your review the statements of past presidential candidates regarding the illegal Turkish invasion and continuing illegal occupation in northern Cyprus, a situation that, to our great disappointment, has yet to be resolved.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please let me know.

We look forward to hearing from you and working with you and the Obama campaign regarding these issues.

Thanks again for your attention regarding this matter.

                                                                        Sincerely,

 

                                                                        Nick Larigakis

                       

                                               

cc:        Anthony Lake

Richard Danzig

Alexi Giannoulias, Chairman, Greek Americans for Obama Committee

            Eleni Kounelakis-Tsakopoulos, Co-Chair, Greek Americans for Obama Committee

            Endy Zeminides, Executive Director, Greek Americans for Obama Committee