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For Immediate Release
Thursday, July 28, 2011
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Contact: AHEPA Headquarters
Phone: (202) 232-6300
Email: press@ahepa.org
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Press Release
AHEPA Applauds Passage of Foreign Relations Bill in Committee
Legislation Includes Provisions of Importance
to U.S., Greece, Cyprus, Religious Freedom
WASHINGTON - The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), a leading association for the nation's three million American citizens of Greek heritage, and Philhellenes, applauds passage of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, H.R.2583, for Fiscal Year 2012 by the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, July 21, 2011, announced Supreme President Dr. John Grossomanides, Jr. The measure, which included provisions on Cyprus, FYROM, and the Ecumenical Patriarchate; as well as an amendment addressing Christian properties in Turkey, passed by a 23 to 20 vote.
"Passage of this legislation is a significant victory for the American Hellenic community because it includes provisions of importance to the United States, Greece, Cyprus and for proponents of religious freedom," said Dr. Grossomanides. "We deeply appreciate the leadership of Chairman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who shepherded the bill through committee, and commend Congressman Gus Bilirakis for his work on these important provisions. We look forward to the bill coming to the House floor, and we must work with the Senate to ensure these provisions are included in its version of the bill."
On Cyprus Policy
The Foreign Relations Authorization Act contains a provision that states, "It shall be the policy of the United States to continue to support measures aimed at the reunification of Cyprus and to provide assistance to Cyprus only for programs and activities that are consistent with the goal of reunification of Cyprus and the achievement of a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation."
On FYROM
In addition, the authorization act conditions U.S. assistance to FYROM upon that government's willingness to engage in meaningful discussions with the government of Greece to resolve the name dispute. The provision also prohibits the use U.S. funding "for programs and activities that directly or indirectly promote incendiary rallies, rhetoric, or propaganda by state-controlled agencies of the FYROM or encourage acts by private entities likely to incite violence, hatred, or hostility, including support for printing and publishing of textbooks, maps, and teaching aids that may include inaccurate formation of histories and geographies of Greece and FYROM."
Dr. Grossomanides added, "It is important to note the language in this provision refers to the government in Skopje as 'FYROM' and not 'Republic of Macedonia.' This is a significant development that is welcomed. Also, in this tight budgetary environment, it is crucial that American tax dollars are spent wisely and not utilized to promulgate hate propaganda or contribute to provocative acts against our longstanding ally, Greece, as AHEPA has advocated."
On the Ecumenical Patriarchate
Furthermore, the authorization bill states that the United States calls on Turkey to eliminate all forms of discrimination, particularly with regard to religion, and to immediately grant the appropriate recognition to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which will allow for it to perform essential church functions, including religious succession without interference, the ability to train clergy, and the opportunity to manage church finances and property.
Berman/Cicilline Amendment
House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Democrat Howard Berman (D-CA) was joined by Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI) in offering the amendment to the Foreign Relations Authorization bill, based upon language from H.Res.306, the "Return of Churches" resolution spearheaded by Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA) and Howard Berman (D-CA), both senior members of the Foreign Affairs Committee. The amendment passed by a vote of 43 to 1. It calls upon Turkey to honor its international obligations to return stolen Christian churches, stop religious discrimination, and fully respect the rights of Christians to practice their ancient faith in freedom.
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AHEPA is the largest Greek-American association in the world with chapters in the United States, Canada, Greece, Cyprus, and sister chapters in Australia and New Zealand. It was established in 1922 by visionary Greek Americans to protect Hellenes from prejudice originating from the KKK, and in its history, AHEPA joined with the NAACP and B'nai B'rith International to fight discrimination.
The mission of the AHEPA family is to promote the ancient Greek ideals of education, philanthropy, civic responsibility and family and individual excellence through community service and volunteerism.
For more information about the AHEPA family, or how to join, please contact AHEPA Headquarters, (202) 232-6300, or visit www.ahepa.org.