Leading members of the Greek American community had a series of contacts with officials from the US State Department and the National Security Council, as well as from the House of Representatives and the Senate, on the occasion of the 39th anniversary of Turkey’s invasion to Cyprus.
The delegation comprised the President of the International Coordinating Committee “Justice for Cyprus” (PSEKA) Philip Christopher and Alternate President Tasos Zambas, Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC) Executive Director Endy Zemenides, as well as Andy and Mike Manatos from the Coordinated Efforts of Hellenes. They met at the State Department with the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Eric Rubin, the NSA Director of Southern Europe and EU Michael Sessums and the special advisor to Vice President Joe Biden, Janine Ellison. In Congress, the delegation met, inter alia, with the Chairman of the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Robert Menendez, the Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Ed Royce, Congressman Eliot Engel, as well as the Co-chairs of the joint action committee for the Greek-Israeli alliance Gus Bilirakis and Ted Deutch.
Members of the delegation received assurances of US support for a just and viable Cyprus solution. Speaking to CNA, Zambas and Zemenides said they were satisfied with the contacts and the positive climate they encountered, in both the White House and the State Department. The Congress has always approached the Cyprus issue in a positive light, while problems usually lay with the State Department and the people close to the President, Zambas, who is taking part in similar meetings in the last 15 years, said. He added that he was impressed by this year’s meetings, with US officials being “most constructive”. Zambas notes that the reason for this shift lies possibly in recent geopolitical developments in the region, including in Syria and Egypt, as well as in Turkey’s political instability.
“Perhaps these reasons explain why they started to view American interests in the region in a different light,” the PSEKA Alternate President said. NSA and State Department officials were impressed by President Anastasiades’ commitment to Western values, Zambas went on and added that the US government was expecting Ankara to respond to Greek Cypriot confidence building measures, outlined by Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides during his recent Washington visit, last May
. “US officials deem those proposals to be constructive and agree that if Turkey is genuinely interested in a Cyprus solution, it is time to proceed with a good will gesture”, Zambas concluded. Zemenides also sees a shift in US government approach towards Cyprus, noting that Nicosia’s contribution to fighting terrorism is recognized, along with the positive development of relations with Israel and Cyprus’ aspiring membership to the Partnership for Peace. This time, the US government and Congress were not hiding their intention to find a way to put an end to Cyprus’ division, said the HALC Executive Director. “They seem more determined and positive as in previous years,” Zemenides said.
He added moreover that he had not the impression of any pressure being exerted towards accelerating the negotiation process in Cyprus, with the American side recognizing the great economic challenges that both governments in Cyprus and Greece are facing. Zemenides also noted that US officials acknowledge the Cypriot government’s commitment to a peaceful settlement in the island, while comprehending that financial stability must be achieved first.
He said moreover that one of the subjects discussed was also the Greek Premier’s impending visit to Washington, with US officials recognizing its importance in stressing Greek-American alliance and partnership ties. The visit is also viewed as a sign of lending support to the efforts of Prime Minister Antonis Samaras to tackle the economic crisis, Zemenides concluded. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third. -