Supporting the Interests of Greek Americans
Jane is proud to support the following issues of key importance to Greek Americans:
Cyprus: Since Turkey’s invasion of Cyprus in 1974 and its continued occupation of the northern portion of Cyprus, the situation there has presented on-going issues. Among these are: Turkey’s 43,000 illegal occupation troops, 160,000 illegal settlers in Cyprus in violation of the Geneva Convention of 1949, and Turkey’s barbed wire fence across Cyprus that disrupts the social and economic life of Cyprus.
Property: The Turkish occupation excludes many U.S. citizens from their real property located in occupied Cyprus. These U.S. citizens own rightful title under the laws of the Republic of Cyprus. I will support the American Owned Property in Occupied Cyprus Claims Act of 2007 (H.R.1456) which would enable U.S. citizens who own real property in occupied Cyprus to seek legal and equitable redress in U.S. forums.
Aegean Sea: The U.S. must recognize the water boundaries in the northern Aegean Sea set forth in the Treaty of Lausanne of 1923, as well as the water boundaries set forth in the Treaty of Paris of 1947. The United States is a signatory to these treaties and the boundaries should be respected. Turkey must also stop its military incursions into Greek airspace. This dangerous practice can create unnecessary tensions between Greece and Turkey and threaten U.S. interests.
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM): FYROM must negotiate in good faith with Greece under the auspices of U.N. Special Envoy, Matthew Nimetz, to resolve the name issue between the two countries. Hostile activities, ranging from distorted maps to the naming of its airport “Alexander the Great,” must end in order for this vital region to enjoy stability.
Visa Waiver: Greece should immediately be allowed to participate in the Visa Waiver Program, joining other countries including Slovenia, Great Britain and Germany.
Ecumenical Patriarchate: The Halki Patriarchal School of Theology, which the Turkish government closed in 1971, must be reopened and allowed to continue its mission of training priests and prelates for the Greek Orthodox community. The Turkish government tolerates assaults against its Greek Orthodox Christian religious minorities, actions which violate U.S. principles and freedom of religion. Section 2804 of the FY 1999 Appropriations Bill calls on the Turkish government to safeguard the Ecumenical Patriarchate, its personnel and property, and to re-open the Halki Patriarchal School of Theology.
The President should oppose violations of religious freedoms in any country whose government “engages in or tolerates violations of religious freedom and promote the right to religious freedom in that country,” as required under the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) of 1998.
Other issues: There are many other issues of great importance to Greek Americans, and I look forward to working with Rep. Carolyn Maloney, Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis and the members of the Congressional Hellenic Caucus in their work to foster and improve relations between the United States and Greece. The Caucus serves to bring a renewed congressional focus on key diplomatic, military, and human rights issues in a critical part of the world.
