PSEKA Conference Informs Community and Washington on Recent Cyprus Developments

Constantine S. Sirigos

WASHINGTON, DC – The 28th Annual Cyrpus and Hellenic Leadership Conference hosted by the International Coordinating Committee – Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA) and the Coordinated Effort of Hellenes (CEH) was held in Washington, D.C. Wednesday June 6 to Friday June 8. The annual conference, which includes meetings with top US policymakers, is one of the most important outreach efforts of the Greek and Cypriot-American community regarding US relations with Cyprus, Greece and Turkey.

Seminars and other presentations brought policymakers and community leaders up to date on recent dramatic developments in Cyrpus, including the discovery of substantial hydrocarbon deposits and Turkey’s belligerent response, and the deepening of Cyprus’ relationship with Israel. More than 30 members and officials of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) attended the various events.

One of the highlights of the week was the introduction of resolutions regarding the massive illegal colonization efforts of Turkey on Cyprus. Estimates of the number of colonists from Turkey – who now far exceed the remaining Turkish Cypriot inhabitants, exceed 400,000. S. CON. RES. 47 was introduced in the Senate by Robert Menendez and Olympia Snowe, and Congressmen Elliot Engel and Gus Bilirakis presented H. RES. 676 in the House.

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June 10, 2012