American Hellenic Institute

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AHI logo

The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) is a

Hellenic-American community. The group has a lobbying focus, which distinguishes it from the other organizations associated with AHI.[1]

History

The American Hellenic Institute was created on August 1, 1974, by Eugene Rossides in response to the Turkish occupation of Cyprus. The Institute argued that Turkey had violated the US Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and Foreign Military Sales Act, in that Turkish forces were purportedly using American weapons. They called upon Henry Kissinger, who would be a perennial obstacle to the AHI's goals, to condemn Turkey and to deny it further sales and aid until all Turkish troops were withdrawn from the soil of Cyprus. This petition was denied, but under continued pressure from AHI, Congress decided on an arms embargo toward Turkey. In December 1974, an AHI-sponsored $25 million Congressional aid package to Cyprus was approved.[1]

Other groups under the American Hellenic Institute

Other groups include:[1]

  • AHI Business Network (created in 1989)
  • American Hellenic Institute Foundation, Inc. (AHIF, a think tank created in 1975)
  • Foundation for Hellenic Studies (created in 1995)

Major activities (including those taken as part of AHI)

AHI is active in foreign policy issues affecting Cyprus, Greece, Albania, Turkey, and North Macedonia, among others.

AHI has been a part of many political activities and lobbying actions. Representatives of AHI have testified before Congress with great frequency on topics related to their interests, usually foreign

Republic of North Macedonia
.

AHI was integral in the movement to change the 7:10 power-sharing ratio on Cyprus to 1:1, which they perceived as more equitable.

2004 Annan Plan for unification of Cyprus, calling the plan "undemocratic" and "unworkable."[3] Each presidential election year, a policy statement is sent to the candidates by AHI and its affiliates informing them of issues of interest to the Greek-American community.[4] In September 2008, the American Hellenic Institute contacted all members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, asking them to submit questions about American policy toward Cyprus to the new US Ambassador to Turkey, James F. Jeffrey.[5] AHI has sponsored legislative conferences, notably in 1997, when three one-day Legislative Policy Conferences were held in New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago to highlight contributions by grassroots activists in the Greek-American community and to coordinate stances among Greek-American groups.[6]

Notable members

Major issues of concern

Current political map of Cyprus

The issues outlined in the AHI policy letters sent to presidential candidates Obama and McCain were typical of policy points that AHI advocates. First and foremost was the question of American policy on Cyprus. The removal of all Turkish troops and the peaceful unification of the island feature prominently as goals in most Greek-American lobbying. In the event of continued Turkish military presence on Cyprus, AHI advised the application of economic sanctions and an arms embargo against Turkey because of restriction of human rights and lack of cooperation with American aims.

Greek Orthodox theological centers in Turkey.[4]

Changes in level of influence

AHI reached its peak of power in the late 1970s, due to the urgency of the situation on Cyprus at the time, in accordance with the theory of

Greek junta, a "new wave" of Greek immigration to the US, and the placement of many Greek-Americans in high levels in American politics and business.[13] The organization did, however, face considerable opposition from the executive branch of government, notably as represented in the person of Henry Kissinger. By the 1980s and after, AHI had declined somewhat in influence, although, as mentioned earlier, they continued to be active in the political arena. Their relative decline can be attributed to a variety of factors, among them the fact that the Greek-American community had more issues by then to collectively tackle than that of the Cyprus conflict.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "American Hellenic Institute" Archived 2008-08-19 at the Wayback Machine American Hellenic Institute. 2006. Retrieved 19 Oct 2008.
  2. ^ a b Lomis, Dean C. "Greek American "Power" and Its Evolution to "Myth" Archived 2011-09-28 at the Wayback Machine The Hellenic News of America. Retrieved 19 Oct 2008.
  3. ^ Stylianou, Philippos. "AHI spearheads drive to change Washington's views on Cyprus" Archived 2006-10-14 at the Wayback Machine Cyprus Weekly. 24 May 2004. Retrieved 19 Oct 2008.
  4. ^ a b Larigakis, Nick. "AHI Reaches Out to Presidential Candidates" Archived 2008-12-01 at the Wayback Machine American Hellenic Institute. 20 Sep 2008. Retrieved 22 Oct 2008.
  5. ^ Larigakis, Nick. "American Hellenic Institute" Archived 2011-05-24 at the Wayback Machine 28 Sep 2008. American Hellenic Institute. Retrieved 19 Oct 2008.
  6. ^ Lampros, Arthur. "Conferences on Greek American grassroots activity" Archived 2011-05-29 at the Wayback Machine HR-Net. 06 Dec 1996. Retrieved 19 Oct 2008.
  7. ^ "NL Group, LLC Consulting : Consulting for the Greek Community" 2003. NL Group, LLC. Retrieved 23 Oct 2008.
  8. ^ Castleman, Amanda. "New Iraq a ray of hope for Greek Assyrians"[permanent dead link] Tebayn Magazine. 18 Dec 2007. Retrieved 23 Oct 2008.
  9. ^ Clarke, Jonathan. "AHI Chairman Nicholas Chimicles Presents Year 2000 Greek American Policy Statements At Capitol Hill Luncheon" Archived 2006-05-07 at the Wayback Machine American Hellenic Institute. 14 Mar 2000. Retrieved 19 Oct 2008
  10. ^ "CYPRUS CHILDREN'S FUND" Cyprus Children's Fund. Retrieved 23 Oct 2008
  11. ^ "Homeric Award to Eugene Rossides" NEO Magazine. Jan 2008. Retrieved 22 Oct 2008.
  12. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-10-23. Retrieved 2013-10-17.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  13. ^ Kaloudis, George. "THE INFLUENCE OF THE GREEK DIASPORA ON GREECE AND THE UNITED STATES." International Journal on World Peace 25.3 p. 29-59. Sep. 2008.

External links

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