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Action Alert: Call your Senators Today to Stop Delivery of F-35 to Turkey

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Request your Senators to co-sponsor S.922,  to limit the transfer of F-35 aircraft to Turkey until the U.S. government certifies that Turkey will not accept delivery of Russia’s S-400 air defence system. 

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Contact your Senators' office, identify yourself as a constituent and ask to speak with the senator's foreign affairs legislative assistant. Sign up for Email Alerts on S.922.F-35 Technology will be compromised If Turkey purchases the S-400 Anti-Aircraft System. Watch How 

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AHI Position & Talking Points 

Supporting S.922AHI reiterates that Turkey’s plan to acquire the Russian S-400 missile  system threatens the foreign policy and security interests of the United States.  

F-35 Technology will be compromised If Turkey purchases the S-400 Anti-Aircraft System. Watch How 

AHI further adds that US policy against Turkey must be placed in the context of Turkey’s repeated actions threatening stability in the eastern mediterranean and thus the foreign policy and security interests of the United States:

  • Turkey’s  daily violations of Greece’s sovereignty in the Aegean recklessly placing lives in harm’s way constituting acts of aggression towards a fellow NATO member and US ally;

  • Turkey’s gunboat diplomacy in the exclusive economic zone of Cyprus; 

  • Turkey’s constant violation of human rights and religious freedom of minorities, including the Ecumenical Patriarchate. 

S.922 was co-sponsored by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Thom Tillis (R-NC)  and introduced on March 28, 2019 by Senator James Lankford (R-OK).  

Congress Praises AHI's Congressional Salute to Greek Independence Day, AHI’s mission and work.

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WASHINGTON, DC—March 27, 2019 

Several members of Congress, Greek Government Officials and community leadership celebrated  the 198th anniversary of Greek Independence Day by attending AHI’s “Congressional Salute to Greek Independence Day, praising AHI’s mission and work.  —Picture Gallery follow below

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Congressional Members (in order of appearance): Reps. Carolyn Maloney, Chris Pappas (D- NH), Brad Schneider (D-IL), Gus Bilirakis, Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), who is a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations; Reps. John Sarbanes (D-MD), and Frank Pallone (D-NJ). — Excepts of Remark follow below

Greek Government Officials and community leadership: Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to the U.S. Marios Lysiotis, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Greece Theodoros Bizakis, and AHEPA Executive Director Basil N. Mossaidis. Each thanked AHI for its work and for hosting the event,  emphasized the inspirational struggle for Greek Independence achieved in 1821 and the strong U.S.-Greece relationship that exists today and expressed their strong support for the burgeoning trilateral relationship between Greece, Cyprus and Israel and proper settlement of the Cyprus issue; as well as concern about Turkey’s provocative behavior in the region, and religious freedom for the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

AHI President Nick Larigakis thanked members' ongoing efforts to promote Greek American issues in the U.S. Congress.  Larigakis reiterated AHI’s policy that US foreign policy on Turkey must be within the context of Turkey’s acts of aggression in the Mediterranean emphasising that Turkey currently maintains more than 40,000 of its NATO troops illegally on Cyprus making Turkey a continuing source of instability in the region.

During the evening, there was a presentation of traditional Greek dances performed by the Byzantio Greek Dance and Cultural Arts Program under the direction of of Aris and Anna Yortzidis.  Sophia Pelekasis sang the American and Greek National Anthems

The event is held annually in cooperation with the co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, U.S. Reps. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Carolyn Maloney (D-NY). 


Excerpts of Remarks by Members of Congress


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Nick is certainly raising stakes and expectations.
It is important that the Cyprus issue is resolved, and Turkey’s increasing authoritarianism be addressed. We need to make sure all of NATO is on board.
— Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)
Hellenic culture is remarkable and has made tremendous contributions in politics, academia, and culture, among others. I am very blessed to have a Greek wife as well as kids imbued in Hellenic culture.

— Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)

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“I would like to thank AHI. I applaud Hellenic Caucus Co-Chairs Maloney and Bilirakis for creating a strong and diverse Hellenic caucus. It is essential that organizations which advocate for Greece and Cyprus come to the Hill.
Our Hellenic legacy is an extension of our forefathers. Greece is emerging from an economic crisis while Cyprus’ frustrations continue.
— Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD)

 
 
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The United States stands with Greece. There are certain common values, that define our culture and the spirit of 1821. I am very much proud to be a part of this community.
Zito Hellas!”
— Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH)
We have an extraordinary Greek community in Chicago. I very much consider myself an ‘honorary’ member of the Greek community. Greek-Americans are very important to Chicago as a whole. I am thrilled to be a part of the Congressional Hellenic-Israel Alliance (CHIA). Zito Hellas!
— Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL)
The members of the Hellenic Caucus will continue to be there supporting Greece and Cyprus. It is important to our government to object to actions by the Turkish military. Moreover, it is incumbent of us to support Cyprus’ right to explore its natural resources as well as the emerging tri-partite alliance between Greece, Cyprus, and Israel.
— Rep. Frank Palone (D-NJ)

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Thank you Nick and AHI for carrying the torch.
— Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL)
AHI has influenced the current government in a pro-American way. It is great to have Secretary of State Pompeo and the United States government recognizing the importance of the tri-partite alliance between Greece, Cyprus, and Israel. We have great relations over the years. However, we still need to be vigilant as the Aegean is constantly under threat from the Turkish aggression. I am very confident that the U.S. will back Greece and take appropriate action on the issue of F-35’s. Also, we have to guard against President Erdogan’s threats against the Hagia Sophia.
— Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL)

Thank you, Nick and AHI for hosting this evening and for Your great work.
— Rep. Carolyn Malone (D-NY)
The Caucus is proud to celebrate Greek Independence Day and Greece’s amazing history and contributions to democracy, art, science, literature and works to strengthen US critical friendship and alliance with Greece while in the Mediterranean, Turkey continues its slide into authoritarianism, posing a threat to the true democracies of the region, like Greece. Greeks have many reasons to be positive about its future. The U.S. and Greece are working together in many areas that have a profound effect on the world—energy, the economy, trade, national security to name a few.
— Rep. Carolyn Malone (D-NY)

Picture Gallery from the event


AHI Hosts Briefing with Top Greek, Cypriot Diplomats to U.S.

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WASHINGTON, DC — The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) hosted a breakfast briefing with Ambassador Haris Lalacos, ambassador of the Hellenic Republic to the U.S., and Ambassador Marios Lysiotis, ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to the U.S., March 9, 2019, at the Capital Hilton.  AHI President Nick Larigakis moderated.

            In his opening remarks, President Larigakis stated Greece and Cyprus are each working to strengthen their relations with the United States amid the challenges they face from a common entity, Turkey.

            The ambassador of Cyprus discussed a three-pronged approach to establishing regional stability, including: active engagement in the EU, engagement in the region, and having security co-operation with countries such as the United States, Greece, Israel, Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon, among others. Such outreach, Ambassador Lysiotis stated, creates a “reinforcing dynamic.” Ambassador Lysiotis also talked about the importance of ITAR and the need to lift arms restrictions on Cyprus imposed by the United States as well as Turkey’s continued provocations in the EEZ. Lastly, Ambassador Lysiotis discussed the urgent humanitarian issue of persons still missing as a result of Turkey’s 1974 invasion of Cyprus.

            Ambassador Lalacos also discussed similar dynamics. He described the energy finds in the Eastern Mediterranean as a potential game-changer in both the economic and geopolitical dynamics of the regions. He also acknowledged a “growing Chinese presence” in Greece and the Balkans, more generally. Ambassador Lalacos stated Chinese direct investment in Greece, seen in such examples such as the rejuvenated Port of Piraeus, has had a positive economic impact. Furthermore, he stated that a nuanced approach to Chinese foreign investment is needed. Ambassador Lalacos said more direct foreign investment from Western countries would be greatly appreciated, and he would prefer a variety of foreign investment in Greece.

            AHI President Larigakis concluded by stating that while there are still some existential issues outstanding, that the relationships between the United States and Greece and Cyprus, respectively, are at an all-time high.

            The ambassadors expressed their gratitude for the continued cooperation between their embassies and AHI.  

             A Q&A session followed the panelists’ briefing.