ACTION ALERT
To:
AHI Chapter President, Congressional Contact Team Leaders, Members and
Friends
From: Nick Larigakis, AHI Executive Director
Date: July 13, 2005
Re: CONTACT YOUR CONGRESSMAN AND ASK HE OR SHE NOT TO ALLOW STAFFERS TO PARTICIPATE, IF INVITED, IN A TRIP TO ILLEGALLY OCCUPIED AREA OF CYPRUS DIRECTLY THROUGH THE ILLEGAL TYMBOU AIRPORT IN AUGUST.
BACKGROUND:
We have recently learned from Congressman Bilirakis (R-FL) that a potential delegation consisting of congressional staffers and their families might be invited by the Friends of Turkey to visit the illegally occupied area of Cyprus sometime during the August recess arriving through the illegal Tymbou airport in Occupied Cyprus.
The Tymbou airport was built on property illegally taken from its lawful owners during the Turkish invasion in 1974. Their visit would constitute a second violation of the rule of law by congressional personnel. During the memorial day holiday, a congressional delegation led by Turkish Caucus Co-Chairman Edward Whitfield (R-KY) that included Representatives Nathan Deal (R-GA), Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), and one staffer of Turkish Caucus Chairman Wexler (D-FL), illegally flew into the illegal Tymbou Airport directly from Turkey bypassing the legal entry points to Occupied Cyprus via Larnaca and Paphos.
The American Hellenic Institute (AHI), on behalf of its nationwide membership, is strongly opposed to any congressional trip through the illegal Tymbou airport which violates U.S. law and international law does not serve the best interests of the United States in support of a proper solution to the reunification of Cyprus.
The AHI strongly supports visits to Cyprus, including the occupied area of Cyprus in the north, if they are done in a manner consistent with international law and U.S. law. The internationally recognized government of the Republic of Cyprus facilitates such visits from a legal and internationally recognized airport in the Republic of Cyprus, such as Larnaca and Paphos airports, to the various crossing points in the UN monitored buffer zone.
If members or their staff take part in this trip through the illegal Tymbou airport instead of the legal airports of Larnaca or Paphos, it places them in a position of aiding and abetting the violation of the laws of the Republic of Cyprus, a friendly nation who has helped the U.S. substantially on many important occasions, and the violation of the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation of December, 1944. It further lends endorsement of the illegal occupation and violation of human rights by Turkey in Cyprus.
Finally, this trip would have an adverse effect against the legitimate
government of Cyprus. A message would be sent that certain U.S.
Congressmen do not support a resolution of the Cyprus problem that is
consistent with UN resolutions and the rule of law. A viable solution to
the Cyprus problem that is just and equitable to both sides would
undoubtedly set a great example for the region, but supporting this trip
will only serve to exacerbate the problem.
ACTION REQUESTED --
CALL, FAX, or E-MAIL:
1. Contact your own Representative to make him/her aware that if they or their staff
are invited to participate in such a trip, they should decline.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Information on how to contact your Representative.
2. Fact Sheet on Flying to Cyprus
