Washington, DC, May 30, 2018 – The President of the United States, White House and State Department foreign policymakers, and key Senators and Members of Congress were personally presented with new information that can lift the Cyprus issue high on the President’s and America’s agenda at the 34th Annual Cyprus and Hellenic Leadership Conference in Washington, DC, May 22-24, 2018. Conference participants met with over 40 US Senators, Members of Congress and Administration officials during the conference.
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Jonathan Cohen receives the Frizis Award with leaders of (L to R) POMAK, AHEPA, PSEKA, AHI, US-Cyprus Chamber, HANC, CEH
The explanation that Cyprus merits the President’s personal attention, written by Philip Christopher and printed in the Washington Times newspaper, was personally handed to the President during the conference on a flight on Air Force One. As well, the foreign policy voice of the US House of Representatives, the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Ed Royce, read Christopher’s piece and indicated that he would send it to the top foreign policy people in the White House and at the State Department.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce talks with (L to R) Cyprus Presidential Commissioner Photiou, CEH President Manatos, Cyprus Embassy Charge d’affairs Nicolaides
#1 and #4 in the House Democratic Leadership: Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Democratic Caucus Chairman Joe Crowley
The sponsors of this conference included:

  • PSKEA (International Coordinating Committee – Justice for Cyprus),
  • The American Jewish Committee (AJC),
  • The Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC),
  • The Coordinated Effort of Hellenes (CEH),
  • POMAK (World Federation of Overseas Cypriots),
  • The Federation of Cypriot American Organizations (FCAO),
  • AHEPA (The American Hellenic Educational and Progressive Association),
  • AHI (The American Hellenic Institute),
  • The Cyprus-US Chamber of Commerce and
  • The Hellenic American National Council (HANC)
Conference participants on Capitol Hill
Author of the Cyprus Arms Embargo Bill, Congressman David Cicilline, is honored with (L to R) Philip Christopher, Andy Manatos, Lou Raptakis, Mike Manatos, Endy Zemenides
Conference participants met with over 40 Senators, Members of Congress and Administration officials that formulate US foreign policy, including:– 3 of the top 4 Senators and Members who lead the formulation of foreign policy in the US Congress:

  • Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee
  • Ranking Member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee

– Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Middle East Subcommittee
– Ranking Member on the House Energy Committee
– Leaders in the US Congress for Human Rights:

  • Chairman of the House Human Rights Subcommittee
  • Ranking Member on the Senate Human Rights Subcommittee
  • Co-Chairman of the Helsinki Commission

– Leadership in House and Senate:

  • #1 Democrat in the House Leadership
  • #4 Democrat in the House Leadership
  • #4 Democrat in the Senate Leadership

– Influential Members in other Foreign Policy and National Security issues

  • Ranking Member on the House Counterterrorism & Intelligence Subcommittee
  • Ranking Member on the House Asia & Pacific Subcommittee
  • Ranking Member on the House Western Hemisphere Subcommittee

– Founders and Co-Chairs of the Hellenic Caucus
– Founders and Co-Chairs of the Congressional Hellenic-Israeli Alliance (CHIA)
– Numerous Members who serve on the House Europe Subcommittee, House Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, House Terrorism Subcommittee, House and Senate Armed Services Committees

 

PSEKA President Philip Christopher