Pappas Condemns Erdogan Speech at UN General Assembly
September 20, 2022Press ReleaseToday, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), a member of the Hellenic Caucus, issued the following statement condemning Turkish President Erdogan’s remarks to the United Nations General Assembly:“I strongly condemn President Erdogan’s inflammatory and blatantly hypocritical remarks at the United Nations General Assembly earlier today.”“Erdogan’s speech was riddled with disingenuous claims and baseless accusations against […]
Lifting Arms Embargo on Cyprus
Lifting of Defense Trade Restrictions on the Republic of Cyprus for Fiscal Year 2023PRESS STATEMENTNED PRICE, DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSONSEPTEMBER 16, 2022Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken determined and certified to Congress that the Republic of Cyprus has met the necessary conditions under relevant legislation to allow the approval of exports, re-exports, and transfers of defense articles […]
38th Annual PSEKA Cyprus Conference NEW DATES – December 12-14, 2022 in Washington, D.C.
(L-R) Philip Christopher, former Chairwoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Member Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Andy Manatos WASHINGTON, DC, August 15, 2022 — We are pleased to announce that the 38th Annual PSEKA Cyprus Conference will return in person and now take place December 12-14, 2022 in Washington, DC. Conference participants will once again meet with top-level officials in Congress and the […]
Pappas Raises Alarm on Sale of Russian S-400s, U.S. F-16s to Turkey
August 25, 2022Press ReleaseToday, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), member of the Hellenic Caucus, led a bipartisan group of 19 lawmakers in expressing concern about recent reports that Turkey is considering further acquisitions of Russian S-400 missile defense systems and restating their opposition to and requesting an update from U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on the reported […]
Greek-American Leaders Lobby US Policymakers
WASHINGTON, DC, July 14, 2022 – On the eve of a major vote in the US Congress on sending F-16’s to Turkey and the 48th black anniversary of Turkey’s invasion and occupation of Cyprus, top Cypriot-American and Greek-American leaders met with key US policymakers in the White House, State Department and the US Congress. Led by Philip Christopher, […]
House Passes Pappas-Led Amendment Blocking Biden Administration’s F-16 Sales to Turkey
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), alongside co-leads Representatives Gus Bilirakis, Carolyn Maloney, Frank Pallone, Nicole Malliotakis, John Sarbanes, and David Cicilline applauded the House passage of his bipartisan amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would stop President Biden from selling F-16s to Turkey and put in place needed Congressional oversight to ensure that Turkey does not use F-16s […]
No F-16s for Turkey – Amendment to be debuted in the United States House of Representatives
We are asking all of you to contact your representatives and explain that we must stop the sale of F-16’s Fighter Jets to Turkey!
Malliotakis, Bilirakis Statement on Biden Meeting with Turkish President Erdoğan
malliotakis.house.gov/media/press-releases/malliotakis-bilirakis-statement-biden-meeting-turkish-president-erdoganJune 30, 2022During the meeting, Biden signaled support for Turkey’s plan to purchase warplanes from the U.S.(WASHINGTON, DC) -TodayGreek-American representatives Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), released the following statement regarding President Biden’s meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan where he signaled support for the potential sale of U.S. F-16 fighter jets and […]
Maloney, Bilirakis, Pappas Oppose Sale of F-16 Fighters and Modernization Kits to the Republic of Turkey
Washington, DC – Today, Hellenic Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) and Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R- FL), along with Caucus Member Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH), issued the following statements opposing the Biden Administration’s apparent plans to sell sensitive F-16 modernization kits to Turkey:“I am deeply disappointed with the apparent plan to move forward with […]
Henry Kissinger should apologize for serving Turkish imperialism
By Michael RubinJune 16, 2022(This article appeared in The Washington Examiner on June, 16, 2022)Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s rejection of Sweden and Finland’s NATO accession underlines an important truth.Namely, how Turkey is now more of a liability to Western security than it is an asset. Iraq, Syria, Armenia, Greece, and Cyprus all grapple with […]
Does Erdogan’s Turkey Belong in NATO?
Ankara is the only member resisting Finland’s and Sweden’s admission to the alliance. Under current conditions, Turkey wouldn’t qualify.By Joe Lieberman and Mark D. WallaceMay 18, 2022 1:18 pm ET(This article appeared in WSJ on May, 18, 2022)Every member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization has enthusiastically welcomed Finland and Sweden except one: Turkey, which on Wednesday […]
Pappas Leads Bipartisan Opposition to Biden Administration Proposal to Sell Weapons to Turkey
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, May 13, 2022Contact: Collin GatelyCollin.gately@mail.house.govPappas Leads Bipartisan Opposition to Biden Administration Proposal to Sell Weapons to TurkeyAhead of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s visit to Washington next week, Pappas joined by Hellenic Caucus co-chairs in opposition to the sale of advanced weapons and equipment to upgrade Turkey’s F-16 fleetWASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Chris […]
Freedom for Cyprus to be featured at World’s Oldest and Largest Marathon
BOSTON, MA, April 5, 2022 – In just two weeks, when over 20,000 runners hit the streets of Boston before 500,000 spectators in Boston and thousands more around the world watching on TV and online, to race in the 126th Boston Marathon, “Freedom for Cyprus” will be passing before their eyes. On April 18, Dr. […]
“We Stand With The People of Ukraine”
Dear Friends,Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Ukraine as they endure a brutal and violent invasion. The terrifying world changing invasion of Ukraine did not start in 2022, nor did it start in 2010 when Russia invaded Georgia. It started in 1974 when the free world accepted the illegal tragic invasion of […]
PM Mitsotakis: 48 years later, we still live with the open wound of Cyprus
“48 years later, we still live with the open wound of Cyprus. {…}Therefore, we cannot stand indifferent against authoritarian leaders who want to redraw borders”. [8:35 / 39:05 ]
Dangerous double standards (ekathimerini.com)
BY ENDY ZEMENIDES, OPINION CONTRIBUTOR — 02/21/22 21:30 AM ESTAdvocating for justice for Cyprus in Washington, DC requires levels of commitment and stamina that most people do not appreciate. Listening to administration after administration loudly declare commitments to human rights and international law while reducing such commitments to whispers with regard to Cyprus is maddening. […]
PSEKA supports the upcoming plays (March 1 & March 16) to benefit women of domestic abuse.
Sometimes Justice is Blind! Four years ago, Cypriot Georgia Kontogeorge in fear for her life, escaped to Cyprus with her eleven-month-old son, Leonidas. Unfortunately, from a victim she is now labeled a kidnapper. The courts in Cyprus failed to protect Georgia and her son Leonidas and was forced to bring her five-year-old son to a […]
State Department’s response to letters spearheaded by Congressman Chris Pappas and Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis on the sale of the F16 fighter planes to Turkey.
The International Coordinating Committee “Justice for Cyprus” (PSEKA) continues its efforts with all Hellenic organizations to stop the sale of the F16 fighter planes to Turkey.Attached is the State Department’s response to letters spearheaded by Congressman Chris Pappas and Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis.Although the State Department respects the longstanding NATO ally, Turkey, it is committed to […]
America’s strategic mistake in the Mediterranean (thehill.com)
BY ARIEL COHEN, OPINION CONTRIBUTOR — 01/31/22 10:00 AM ESTTHE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY CONTRIBUTORS ARE THEIR OWN AND NOT THE VIEW OF THE HILL As tensions between the Kremlin and NATO over Ukraine highlight Europe’s strategic dependence on Russian gas, a critical natural gas pipeline stretching across the Mediterranean finds itself at the center of competing geopolitical […]
Cyprus: Turkish Occupation and Unpunished Crimes Against Women and Children
By Uzay BulutOn December 16 and 17, Democracy Today, an NGO that focuses on human rights issues, organized its annual international conference in Armenia’s capital of Yerevan. This was part of a cooperation with the Working Group (WG) on women and gender realities in the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) region.This year’s agenda […]
Congress Approves Menendez Legislation to Bolster U.S. Defense Partnership with Greece as Part of National Defense Bill
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 15, 2021 CONTACT Juan Pachon WASHINGTON – Following the Senate’s approval of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of FY22, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), issued the following statement announcing he was successful in including his U.S.-Greece Defense and Interparliamentary Partnership Act as an amendment to this year’s […]
UN undermines its own authority in new Turkey deal
By Michael Rubin. Published on December 9, 2021UN Secretary-General António Guterres often laments limits to the UN’s authority. In the United States especially, many politicians often roll their eyes at UN pronouncements and then proceed to ignore them. In 1994, for example, John Bolton—who, ironically, would briefly serve as the US Ambassador to the United Nations […]
U.S. lawmakers express concern over reports of potential Turkey F-16 purchase
WASHINGTON, Oct 26 (Reuters) – Democratic and Republican U.S. lawmakers urged President Joe Biden’s administration not to sell F-16 fighter jets to Turkey and said they were confident Congress would block any such exports. In a letter to Biden and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, 11 members of the House of Representatives cited “a profound […]
Malliotakis leads the fight to stop the sale of F16 to Turkey
October x, 2021 The Honorable Joe Biden The Honorable Antony BlinkenThe White House Department of State 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW […]
Greek, Cypriot American Groups Applaud Passage of Titus Amendment
The American Hellenic Institute (AHI), International Coordinating Committee-Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA), and American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) applauds the House of Representatives for passing and incorporating amendment #579 into the FY22 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) [H.R. 4350]. The amendment, introduced by Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-NV), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee […]
Statement by the Hellenic American Leadership and the International Coordinating Committee Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA)
SEPTEMBER 22, 2021 NEW YORK — With heavy hearts, PSEKA and HALC express their disappointment with the recent events surrounding the Turkevi Center in New York and the response from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America after the ensuing uproar. We are particularly dismayed by the presence of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and His […]
Hellenic Caucus Letter to UNSG Guterres on Varosha and Turkish Actions
September 13, 2021 His Excellency António GuterresSecretary-General of the United NationsUnited Nations Headquarters405 East 42nd StreetNew York, NY 10017 Dear Secretary-General Guterres: In light of recent events, we urge you to firmly assert the United Nations’ authority to administer and prevent the resettlement of Varosha, pursue the immediate and full implementation of United Nations Security […]
CALL TO ACTION! To Enforce UN Security Resolutions to end continued Turkish occupation in Cyprus.
Dear friends,As a constituent of your Congressional District, I ask you to join your fellow members of Congress and co-sign the letter below to the UN Secretary General, H.E. Antonio Guterres urging him to enforce UN Security Resolutions to end continued Turkish occupation of Cyprus.”Find your Congressional Representative at www.house.gov.Enter your zip code to be […]
Statements on Varosha from the U.S. State Department and from the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Transfer of Parts of Varosha to Turkish Cypriot ControlPRESS STATEMENTANTHONY J. BLINKEN, SECRETARY OF STATEJULY 20, 2021The United States condemns the announcement by Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan today regarding the transfer of parts of Varosha to Turkish Cypriot control. This move is clearly inconsistent with UN Security Council […]
Menendez, Van Hollen, Rubio Lead Colleagues in Urging U.S.-EU Response to Turkish Provocations in Varosha.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJuly 14, 2021 CONTACTJuan Pachon (Menendez)Francesca Amodeo (Van Hollen)Dan Holler (Rubio)Menendez, Van Hollen, Rubio Lead Colleagues in Urging U.S.-EU Response to Turkish Provocations in Varosha WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), both members of the Committee, today were joined by 11 of their […]
Greek American organizations letter to President Biden
July 8, 2021President Joseph R. Biden 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear President Biden: As we approach the 47th anniversary of Turkey’s illegal invasion of the Republic of Cyprus, the undersigned ten nationwide Greek American and Cypriot American Organizations write to convey grave concern regarding the new and renewed existential threats currently facing Cyprus coming from […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Malliotakis, Colleagues Call on UN to Take Immediate Action Against Turkish Aggression in Cyprus
July 1, 2021Press Release(WASHINGTON, DC) – Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) today led a bipartisan group of colleagues in sending a letter to the United States Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) Linda Thomas-Greenfield, urging the UN Security Council (UNSC) to take immediate action against “the Republic of Turkey’s aggressive, illegal and unilateral reopening of Varosha in […]
PSEKA applauds and congratulates the election of Annita Demetriou, as the new President of the House of Representatives.
PRESS RELEASE PSEKA applauds and congratulates the election of Ms. Annita Demetriou as the new President of the House of Representatives. The new President is a trailblazer for equal rights for women, and we salute her dedication and commitment to the Democratic values of the Republic of Cyprus. We extend our […]
PSEKA Applauds President Biden for Recognizing the long overdue Armenian Genocide Declaration
INTERNATIONAL COORDINATING COMMITTEE JUSTICE FOR CYPRUSApplauds President Biden forRecognizing the long overdueArmenian Genocide Declaration“A nation that forgets its past has no future”It’s time for Turkey to recognize its human rights violations including the ethnic cleansing of 200,000 Greek Cypriots as a result of the illegal, brutal invasion of July 20, 1974. We call on the Biden […]
US Senate Officially Recognizes Greece’s Bicentennial with Record Support
WASHINGTON, DC, March 24, 2021 – On the eve of Greece’s 200th anniversary of independence, a resolution highlighting the strong ties between the US and Greece, authored by the Chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Bob Menendez, was unanimously passed by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. It is expected to be passed by the […]
Happy Greek Independence – Message from Philip Christopher
Dear Friends, Happy Greek Independence Celebrate the Greek Bicentennial with a short film prepared by the office of the Presidential Commissioner for Overseas Cypriots. PSEKA joins all Hellenic organizations and freedom loving people in saluting the 200th anniversary of Greek independence. May the spirit of 1821 bring Freedom to Cyprus! Philip ChristopherPresident https://youtu.be/BJYgVsUNGCw
Blinken says US will be ‘fully engaged’ in Cyprus issue
By Source: Cyprus News Agency US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that American diplomacy will be “fully engaged” in the Cyprus issue, while testifying on Wednesday evening before the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Responding to a question by Congressman David Cicilline, Blinken, from the Democratic Party, referred to the engagement of President Biden throughout his […]
In Memoriam: Ambassador Andros Agathocleous Nicolaides (1938-2021)
The International Coordinating Committee Justice for Cyprus Mourns the Passing of Ambassador Andros NicolaidesDuring the past forty plus years that we have been involved in the struggle of the Cypriot people for Freedom and Justice, we had to bear the loss of friends and co-workers who died with the dream of returning to their homes […]
Message for the New Year
Dear Friend, I hope this message finds you and your family in good health. As we come to the end of an unprecedented year, we prepare ourselves with optimism and hope for a better and brighter 2021. The year 2020 will go down in history as the year that countries across the world united against a […]
Secretary Pompeo’s call with the Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglou
U.S. DEPARTMENT of STATESecretary Pompeo’s Call with Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu12/17/2020 06:13 PM ESTOffice of the SpokespersonThe following is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Cale Brown:Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo spoke this week with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu to discuss the December 14 imposition of sanctions by the United States on our NATO […]
Engel and McCaul Statement on Turkey Actions Undermining NATO Alliance
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDecember 16, 2020 – Read OnlineCONTACTLeslie Shedd WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel and Lead Republican Michael McCaul have released the following statement on their deep concern over Turkey’s actions under President Erdogan that endanger the NATO alliance, the broader region, and democracy and the rule of law in Turkey.“We are gravely […]
U.S. Sanctions Turkey
Immediate Release PSEKA welcomes and applauds the imposition of sanctions against Turkey pursuant to Section 231 of the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).Turkey, the so-called “reliable ally” member of NATO, has been acting as an adversary for many years. In 1974 Turkey invaded the Republic of Cyprus with the illegal use of American arms […]
In Memoriam: Paul S. Sarbanes and Cyprus
By Philip Christopher, Andy Manatos and Mike Manatos We mourn the recent passing of our dear friend and fellow justice-for-Cyprus advocate former US Senator Paul Sarbanes. His role with Cyprus is historic and his impact on the well-being of the country and its people extraordinary. Ever since the immediate aftermath of Turkey’s illegal invasion of Cyprus, the […]
Kyrenia District Court Decision – Soleas Lawsuit
ΔΕΛΤΙΟ ΤΥΠΟΥ Δήμου Κερύνειας 22.10.2020 Ο Δήμος Κερύνειας είναι με ιδιαίτερη χαρά που καλωσορίζει την απόφαση του Επαρχιακού Δικαστηρίου Κερύνειας το οποίο προσωρινά εδρεύει στη Λευκωσία αναφορικά με απόφαση που εξέδωσε υπέρ της Οικογένειας Σολέα και εναντίον της Τουρκίας. Παρατηρούμε ότι η απόφαση αυτή αναδεικνύει και επιβεβαιώνει τα αναφαίρετα δικαιώματα μας και κατά Δικαστική πλέον […]
Menendez, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Require Reviews of Azerbaijan’s and Turkey’s Human Rights Abuses
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 22, 2020 CONTACTJuan Pachon (Menendez) WASHINGTON — Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, along with Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Bob Casey Jr. (D-Penn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Jack Reed (D-R.I.) today introduced two resolutions to require Secretary of State Mike […]
Menendez Statement on Turkey’s Reported Test of S-400 Air Defense System
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 16, 2020 CONTACTJuan Pachon 202-224-4651 NEWARK – Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement in reaction to reports that the Turkish military has begun testing S-400 air defense systems purchased from Russia: “Today’s test by Turkey of the Russian-made S-400 air […]
Illegal opening of Varosha Beach.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEOctober 9, 2020 CONTACT Juan Pachon (202) 224-4651 Senate Democrats Urge President Trump to Stop Erdogan from Violating UN Security Council Resolutions Regarding Varosha WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was joined today by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), […]
Senator Bob Menendez sounds alarm over Trump, Erdogan relationship in a letter to National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien.
September 21, 2020 Mr. Robert O’Brien National Security Adviser National Security Council 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20500 Dear Mr. O’Brien: I write regarding President Trump’s engagement with Turkey’s President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. I have repeatedly raised concerns about President Trump’s relationship with President Erdoğan, including its impact on U.S. national security […]
ANNOUNCEMENT
United States is lifting its Arms Embargo for non-lethal weapons on the Republic of Cyprus PSEKA applauds the announcement by Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo that the United States is lifting its Arms Embargo for non-lethal weapons on the Republic of Cyprus. We congratulate Secretary Pompeo and the State Department for not allowing the dangerous […]
Menendez Lauds Decision to Lift Outdated Arms Export Restrictions to Cyprus
NEWARK —Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement after the State Department announced it would officially lift the U.S. arms export restriction of non-lethal defense equipment and services to the Republic of Cyprus for a full year. Today’s decision is pursuant to Menendez’s Eastern Mediterranean Security and […]
In Memoriam: Andreas Charalambides (1946 – 2020)
The International Coordinating Committee Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA) mourns the passing of Andreas Charalambides, one of its long-time supporters in Toronto, Canada. Andreas, who served in the Cypriot National Guard during the brutal Turkish invasion of 1974, immigrated with his wife, Athina to Canada, worked hard, raised two wonderful children and dedicated extensive time […]
United States Senators Menendez and Van Hollen – Grave concern regarding Turkey’s provocative actions in the Eastern Mediterranean.
August 12, 2020 The Honorable Mike PompeoSecretary of StateU.S. Department of State2201 C Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20520 Dear Secretary Pompeo: In advance of your meeting with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias tomorrow in Vienna, we are writing with grave concern regarding Turkey’s provocative actions in the Eastern Mediterranean. Earlier this week, Turkey sent naval vessels to accompany a drilling ship into Greece’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) […]
In Memoriam: Demetrios Zemenides (1942-2020)
The International Coordinating Committee – Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA) mourns the passing of Demetrios Zemenides, one of its long-time collaborators in Chicago. The “A” in PSEKA stands for “Αγώνα” or Struggle. The long standing Αγώνα/Struggle for Cyprus was and is made possible only by “Αγωνιστές”. This past Thursday we lost Demetri Zemenides – one […]
Armen Sahakyan – Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee of America (Western Region)
Dear Philip, We joined with our Cypriot sisters and brothers yesterday — and every day — in remembering the solemn anniversary of Turkish invasion and occupation of Cyprus. Please know that we stand with you in this fight all the way, and my hope and prayer is that there won’t be a need to commemorate the […]
Erasing Christ
New York Post – Opinion By Toufic Baaklini, July 7, 2020