AHEPA Marks Somber 45th Anniversary of Invasion, Occupation of Cyprus

AMERICAN HELLENIC EDUCATIONAL  PROGRESSIVE ASSOCIATION July 20, 2019 AHEPA Marks Somber 45th Anniversary of Invasion,  Occupation of Cyprus    WASHINGTON (July 20, 2019) --  Supreme President George G. Horiates has issued a statement on the 45th anniversary of the illegal invasion of the Republic of Cyprus by Turkey that occurred July 20, 1974 and subsequent illegal occupation: "Today we observe a somber day-the 45th anniversary of the illegal invasion and occupation of theRepublic of Cyprus by the Republic of Turkey, an unreliable NATO-member country. This was, and remains to this very day, an intolerable act; one that is a gross violation of the rule of law, human rights, and democratic ideals. We pause to remember the innocent civilians who lost their lives and the individuals who went missing, including five American citizens, four of whose investigations remain incomplete. The illegal invasion and occupation caused the displacement of 200,000 Greek Cypriot refugees who to this day are unable to return to their homes which is also a violation of human rights as determined by the European Commission on Human Rights. Moreover, Turkey's restrictions upon religious freedom and destruction of Cyprus' cultural and religious heritage in Turkish-occupied Cyprus have been well-documented by the U.S. Helsinki Commission, the Law Library of Congress, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, and several media publications. "It is our hope the two sides resume their dialogue and work to resolve difficult issues that include security and guarantees. Unfortunately, Turkey's renewed hostilities, acts of provocation, and perpetual assault on international law threaten the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus, which is a United States strategic partner and European Union member, and does not bode well for the resumption of settlement talks.  Recently, two Turkish drill ships are stationed in Cyprus' designated exclusive economic zone (EEZ) leading Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades rightfully to call Turkey's intention to drill a 'second invasion.' The very notion of Cyprus enduring a second invasion is unconscionable. We welcome measures the European Union has taken in response to Turkey's illegal activities, and we have stated our support for the U.S. to follow suit. "Further, Turkish intransigence in the quest for a settlement must end. Turkey must abandon its insistence to be a Guarantor Power of a reunified Cyprus, essentially the right to intervene, especially as the security of all Cypriots in a unified, EU-member Cyprus would be provided by the EU. Again, we urge the U.S. government to convey a strong message to Turkey that it must play a constructive role in the movement of confidence-building measures, which includes the removal of 40,000 Turkish troops from the island. We contend these troops would serve a better purpose elsewhere, especially to NATO, as opposed to Cyprus. "These actions are in the best interests of the United States, which has conveyed appreciation for the 'strategic partnership' it has with the Republic of Cyprus. A just and viable solution to the division of Cyprus will strengthen the Eastern Mediterranean and bring peace and security to the region. This is especially important due to the discovery and potential exploitation of hydrocarbon reserves within the exclusive economic zone of the Republic of Cyprus by multinational energy firms, including American ones, that could provide Europe with energy security. However, as aforementioned, Turkey has wasted no time taking aggressive measures toward Cyprus and the multinational energy companies that rightfully intend to explore within Cyprus's exclusive economic zone. "Despite these troubling circumstances, we restate our call for a reunified Cyprus with a single sovereignty, single international personality and single citizenship; and with its independence and territorial integrity safeguarded as described in the relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions. We contend such a solution is in the best interest of all Cypriots and must emanate from Cypriots themselves without arbitrary timetables. "We state adamantly 45 years is too long. Our hope is that we will no longer need to observe this 'black anniversary,' but instead, celebrate the anniversary of a settlement. AHEPA remains committed to doing all within its power, and pledges to continue to work with all organizations, to keep the Cyprus issue in the public eye until a just and viable solution that benefits all Cypriots is realized."

HEPA Military Medal of Honor Presented L-R: Supreme Treasurer Tsivicos, Supreme President Horiates, Lt. Gen. Leontaris, and Board Chairman Karacostas, PSP. AHEPA proudly presented Lt. General Ilias Leontaris, chief of the Republic of Cyprus National Guard General Staff, with the AHEPA Military Medal of Honor, July 11, in New York City. Supreme President George Horiates presented the award accompanied by Board Chairman Nicholas Karacostas, PSP, and Supreme Treasurer Savas Tsivicos. Lt. Gen. Leontaris conveyed his appreciation for the honor and complimented AHEPA as an institution that since its establishment has been a facilitator of enhanced U.S. relations with Greece and Cyprus. Lt. Gen. Leontaris was unable to attend the 97th Grand Banquet in Chicago where AHEPA announced the award. Grand Banquet Honors Excellence Miss the 97th AHEPA Grand Banquet? Catch our recap of the gala affair held at the Palmer House Hilton, July 5, 2019. The pinnacle event of the Supreme Convention honored excellence in the community and Archbishop Elpidophoros delivered his first Keynote Address to the AHEPA family.  read more ICYMI | Ahepans Receive National Accolades  During the Supreme Convention, then-Supreme President George Loucas oversaw the presentation of AHEPA's 2019 National Awards to districts, chapters, and Ahepans who excelled during the 2018-19 administrative year: Ahepan of the Year: Antonis Giannikouris, Chapter HJ33, Rhodes, Greece. District Governor of the Year: Dimitrios Papageorgiou, Automotive District 10 District of the Year: Hellas District 25 Chapter of the Year: Delphi Chapter 25, Manhattan, N.Y. We commend the awardees for their service to the Order. Congratulations, Brothers! AHEPA on Twitter | Apollo 50 Commemorated The Ahepan Summer Edition is Out! Share the summer 2019 edition of The Ahepan magazine with family and friends! This issue recaps the 91st annual Leadership Excursion, features a Greek Independence Day pictorial and news of AHEPA Housing's latest property opening; and shares our chapter's community service programs. Give it a read! Don't forget to follow AHEPA on social media:

Join AHEPA Today! In Our Own Words. What AHEPA means to us. Join AHEPA Now Upcoming Events & Deadlines   August Fall 2019 The Ahepan magazine 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.   EU Slaps Sanctions on Turkey Over Gas Drilling Off Cyprus New York Times (July 15)   European Union foreign ministers on Monday turned up the pressure on Turkey after approving an initial batch of sanctions against the country over its drilling for gas in waters where EU member Cyprus has exclusive economic rights.  read more Greece's New Groove: Why Athens Is No Longer Europe's Black Sheep Foreign Affairs (July 15) The past decade has been rough for Greece. After the global financial crisis of 2008-9, the country lost a quarter of its GDP and became the bête noire of Europe for nearly catalyzing the implosion of the eurozone. Roughly four years ago, however, Greece began a quiet recovery. Under Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and his Syriza party, the economy inched back to positive growth, populist movements lost their momentum, and Greece's relations with its allies and many of its neighbors improved. But Tsipras's successes, particularly in foreign policy, didn't translate into popularity. So on July 8, Greeks woke up to news that opposition leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his center-right New Democracy party had defeated Tsipras in a landslide.  read more The rift in the relationship between the U.S. and Turkey may be permanent NBC News (July 15) take delivery of a Russian-made air defense missile system Trump cuts off F-35 for Turkey. And lawmakers say sanctions are coming. Defense News (July 16) a Russian-made air defense system US approves MH-60R sale to Greece Jane's Defence Weekly (July 7) The US State Department has approved the sale of seven Lockheed Martin MH-60R Seahawk maritime multimission helicopters to Greece. read more Mobile phone links established between two sides Cyprus Mail (July 11) The first mobile phone call across the divide after interoperability of phones across the island was achieved was made on Thursday just after noon between the two leaders.  read more  The Best Island in Europe Has Stunning White Stone Beaches and Some of the Most Turquoise Water in the World Travel+Leisure (July 10) For a brief moment, I forgot where I was. Suddenly stirred awake by a balmy breeze, I slowly became aware of my surroundings: The warm sand below my belly cooling off as I slept, the shade from the boulder I was tucked under moving ever so slightly away from me as the sun went down, and the sound of the Mediterranean waves crashing along the rock and coral-filled shore. Then I realized it; I just woke up from a drool-inducing midday nap in paradise, otherwise known as Milos. read more

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