Save the Republic of Cyprus and democratic values – an urgent call to change strategy - LOBBY FOR CYPRUS

Lobby for Cyprus expresses serious concerns about the secrecy with which the ‘Conference on Cyprus’ in Switzerland is taking place. We are also alarmed by the astonishing fact that the Republic of Cyprus is not officially represented at the ‘Conference on Cyprus’ where its destiny may be determined.

Lobby for Cyprus condemns any attempt to dissolve or undermine the Republic of Cyprus and to permit any Turkish military personnel or colonists to remain in the Republic under the pretext of security.

Lobby for Cyprus calls upon the United Nations and all parties to:

We won't accept just any solution on Cyprus

On the eve of the Conference on Cyprus, we feel compelled to express our views on the Cyprus negotiations on behalf of the Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC), the International Coordinating Committee Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA), the Federation of Cypriot American Organizations (FCAO), the American Hellenic Institute (AHI), the American Hellenic Council (AHC), the Hellenic Federation of New Jersey, and the Coordinated Effort of Hellenes (CEH). Our community has worked with successive U.S. Administrations on behalf of a workable and lasting solution on Cyprus. In 2004, when we warned that the flawed Annan Plan was headed in the wrong direction, some officials defamed us as “rejectionists”, “hard liners”, or as “not having a bottom line.” Yet history proved us right and the officials predicting a landslide victory in 2004 wrong. At this key moment in Cyprus’ history, we have decided that it is time for us to speak out, warn against false steps, and describe an agreement that we may be able to support.

We have not only advocated for an end to the Turkish occupation of Cyprus, but for a new and better Cyprus. We have: invested in Cyprus; led business delegations interested in a reunified Cyprus; pushed for better bilateral relations between Cyprus and the United States. We have prepared for reunification with our Turkish Cypriot brethren by supporting bi-communal programs, by opening lines of communications with Turkish Cypriot business and opinion leaders, by encouraging policies like the issuance of Republic of Cyprus passports to Turkish Cypriots. We are informed by Cyprus’ tragic past, but not enslaved by it. Our point of reference is the Cyprus of the future, not the Cyprus of 1974.

The Turkish Sword of Damocles Over Cyprus - THE HUFFINGTON POST

Headline, the Brtish newspaper THE SUN, 5 August 1974

06/22/2017 07:31 pm ET

The headline "BARBARIANS" described the Turks who had invaded Cyprus. The reporter, Iain Walker, wrote about the dramatic and bloody effects of the Turkish onslaught against the Greeks of Cyprus (Photo: Fanoula Argyrou)

Once again Cyprus is fighting for its life. The Greek island-home of Aphrodite is confronting its ancient enemies, Turkey and the United Kingdom. This confrontation is taking place in a secret diplomatic meeting in Geneva on 28 June 2017.

Turkey and the UK are former imperial powers that colonized Cyprus for long stretches of time. In 1878, Turkey passed Cyprus to Britain in exchange for British promises to support the Turks in any Russo-Turkish war. The British were not much better rulers than the Turks in Cyprus. Greek Cypriots fought the British and won their freedom.