NO. 17
WASHINGTON, DC — The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) wrote to the heads of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs ahead of its April 10 hearing with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on the State Department’s FY2020 budget justification
In the letter Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Ranking Member Patrick Leahy (D-VT), President Nick Larigakis stated AHI’s opposition to the Trump administration’s proposed $550,000 budget request for Greece’s International Military Education and Training (IMET). Instead, AHI recommended a $1.2 million funding level for Greece’s IMET program, a $200,000 increase above the FY2019 enacted level, as in the best interests of the United States.
President Larigakis opposed any foreign assistance to Turkey the Administration will request based upon: Turkey’s illegal occupation of the Republic of Cyprus, its acts of aggression in the Aegean, Turkey’s threat to U.S. security interests via its purchase of Russian-made S-400 missiles, and its suppression of religious freedom of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
AHI recommended appropriations language on two policy issues to be considered by the Subcommittee: ensuring the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus can fully implement its mandates and holding Turkey accountable for its purchase of the S-400s.
AHI’s Letter to the Appropriations Subcommittee echoed President Larigakis’ public witness testimony to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, on March 12, 2019.