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Πέμπτη 15 Οκτωβρίου 2020

AHEPA Strongly Denounces Turkey's Reopening of Varosha, Conveys Alarm to State Department

 

Vol. 14 Issue 41 | Wednesday, October 14, 2020
AHEPA E-News
AHEPA Strongly Denounces Turkey's
Reopening of Varosha,
Conveys Alarm to State Department
Supreme President George G. Horiates issued the following statement on October 9, 2020:

AHEPA strongly denounces Turkey’s illegal reopening of the Varosha beachfront, located within the abandoned fenced-off area of Turkish-occupied Cyprus, which is another provocative act by the Erdogan regime that is in blatant violation of several UN security council resolutions.

Under the Erdogan regime, Turkey once again is responsible for the escalation of tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean.

AHEPA Welcomes State Department Statements on Varosha, Turkey's Renewed Survey Activity
AHEPA welcomes two statements issued by the U.S. Department of State on October 13 that address Turkey's illegal reopening of Varosha and Turkey's most recent renewed survey activity in the Eastern Mediterranean, announced Supreme President George G. Horiates.

"We welcome the State Department’s statements as strong rebukes by the United States of Turkey's aggression in the Eastern Mediterranean toward Greece and Cyprus,” Supreme President Horiates said. “The statements clearly pinpoint Turkey as acting unilaterally to raise tensions, and in the instance of its renewed survey activity, acting in a 'calculated' manner. We appreciate the State Department's response to our concerns."


Below is the U.S. Department of State's statement on Varosha that is attributed to the State Department's Press Office in response to a question from the press:

"The United States is deeply concerned by the unilateral decision to reopen Varosha; we urge a reversal of this decision. We view the reopening of Varosha as inconsistent with UNSC resolutions 550 and 789, provocative, and counterproductive to the resumption of settlement talks. The United States supports efforts toward de-escalating tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean and continues to call for dialogue and respect for international law. The United States continues to support a comprehensive settlement to reunify the island as a bizonal, bicommunal federation, which would benefit all Cypriots, as well as the wider region."

The United States also supported the UN Security Council's presidential statement on Varosha issued October 9.
AHEPA Voter Awareness Materials
Since 1922, AHEPA has promoted good citizenship and civic responsibility through public service.

November 3, 2020 is Election Day.

Exercise the right to vote your conscience on issues affecting all of us as American Citizens and as members of the Hellenic American Community.
 
The most sacred right we have as citizens is the right to vote. Voting is the language with which democracy is spoken. In the spirit of civic responsibility, we are encouraging our chapters to advocate that community members go and cast their votes, volunteer to assist at your polling places, or perhaps help those individuals who may need a lift to the polls.

As part of AHEPA's voter education effort, AHEPA released its 2020 Congressional Info-Card for the 116th Congress on the public policy priorities of the American Hellenic community.

“Because the success of government depends on an engaged and educated citizenry, we are proud to provide the community with this helpful informational or educational tool,” Supreme President George G. Horiates said. “We encourage the community to utilize it and share it with family, friends, and colleagues.”

Greece Is the Word in 2021
Athens Supreme Convention Info Released
AHEPA is preparing for the 99th AHEPA Family Supreme Convention to be held in Athens, Greece, July 25 to 31, 2021. The official convention hotel will be the Hotel Grande Bretagne.

Greece will be celebrating the bicentennial of its independence in 2021 and the AHEPA family will be there to join in the celebration! See you there!

AHEPA Mobilizes against Turkey's Provocations
In a September memo to organizational leaders, Supreme President George G. Horiates provided instruction for Ahepans to mobilize against Turkey's provocations.

Turkey has escalated tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean to dangerous levels not seen since 1996 through violations of international norms and international and U.S. law, Horiates writes in the memo.

"Turkey’s actions are not only illegal, but they are not in the best interests of the United States and place lives unnecessarily in harm’s way," Horiates states.

The memo recaps actions taken by AHEPA to address Turkey's provocations and how Ahepans, and by extension, the community, can help going forward.

"We stand ready to assist you with this most important mobilization to address this pressing matter that threatens NATO ally, Greece; strategic partner, Cyprus; and U.S. interests in the region, overall," Horiates concludes.
Mobilization Tool Kit
AHEPA Emergency Relief Fund Opened for
Natural Disasters
AHEPA has opened its Emergency Relief Fund to provide assistance to the victims of the wildfires that are devastating California and Hurricane Laura, announced Supreme President George G. Horiates.

“The California wildfires and Hurricane Laura have caused widespread devastation affecting thousands of people,” Supreme President Horiates said. “Our thoughts are prayers are with communities impacted by these natural disasters, and we must do our part to help and make an difference for those in need. We urge our AHEPA chapters, members, and supporters to provide assistance through our Emergency Relief Fund as we have done traditionally when natural disasters strike or most recently in response to COVID-19.”

Supreme President Horiates has made the following appeal:


  • For chapters and/or individuals to secure one (1) $500 donor from the community-at-large 

AHEPA established the Emergency Fund 15 years ago. Since its inception more than $1 million has been donated from the fund to those affected by national disasters.

The Senate Must Act!
Contact Senators and urge them to:
  • Uphold American values and security interests. 
  • Hold Turkey responsible for its actions.
  • Urge Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to bring sanctions legislation to the Senate Floor.

The House acted. Now the Senate must.
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Calendar of Events & Deadlines
October
27 | Deadline: The Ahepan Winter 2020

November
3 | Election Day
Join AHEPA Today!
AHEPA 2017
In our own words. What AHEPA means to us.
Greek American News Digest
Editor's Note
Editorials, commentaries, opinion pieces, and articles are shared for information purposes only and do not necessarily reflect the views or policy positions of the Order of AHEPA, its affiliated organizations, and members.
Greek-Turkish tensions rise in crisis over eastern Mediterranean
Reuters (Oct. 12)

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UN calls for Turkish Cypriots to close beach in Varosha
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The U.N. Security Council called on Turkey and Turkish-controlled northern Cyprus on Thursday to close a beach in uninhabitated Varosha that was opened this week and avoid any unilateral actions “that could raise tensions on the island.”
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