ANNUAL REPORT 2020 American Hellenic Institute American Hellenic Institute Foundation AMERICAN HELLENIC INSTITUTE
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
ANNUAL REPORT 2020 American Hellenic Institute American Hellenic Institute Foundation AMERICAN HELLENIC INSTITUTE TABLE OF CONTENTS Message from the President .............................................................................. 1 AHI/AHIF Board Member Biographies ......................................................... 3 In Memoriam – Eugene T. Rossides .............................................................13 Public Policy: An Overview ............................................................................. 16 • U.S.-Greece Relations ..................................................................................16 • The Cyprus Problem: U.S.-Cyprus Relations ..................................17 • The Ecumenical Patriarchate ...................................................................18 • Keeping an Eye on Turkey .......................................................................19 Outreach ...................................................................................................................... 19 • Working with Congress .............................................................................20 • Working with the Executive Branch ..................................................24 • Virtual Speakers Forum ..............................................................................25 Impact ........................................................................................................................... 31 • Policy impact ...................................................................................................31 • Media impact ...................................................................................................33 General News ...........................................................................................................35 Index ...............................................................................................................................41 AMERICAN HELLENIC INSTITUTE 1220 16TH STREET, NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20036 www.AHIWORLD.ORG • 202-785-8430 • [email protected] 2020 ANNUAL REPORT Message from the President Dear Member and Friends, anniversary of Cyprus independence our staff and board members appeared with an online celebration hosted in a significant number of media I write to you this year with mixed by PSEKA on September 30th. We interviews, which can be found in this emotions. As the American Hellenic also continued our close-working report. Furthermore, the AHI Foundation Institute marks its 46th year as the only collaboration with the American Jewish published the eleventh volume of its Greek American think-tank and public community in support of the burgeoning Online Policy Journal that provides policy center, I submit our 2020 Annual Greece-Cyprus-Israel partnership. Along expert policy analysis and commentary. Report with great pride. At the same with AHEPA, B’nai B’rith International, time, my heart is heavy with the loss Looking forward, I am excited to publish and the Conference of Presidents of of our dear founder, Eugene Rossides, The Future of Hellenism in America, Major American Jewish Organizations, who passed away in May. I am forever an extensive, 450-page volume that in January we completed our successful indebted and grateful for his leadership compiles the highlights from 18 Fourth Leadership Mission to Israel, and guidance over the decades. I am years of the popular AHI Foundation Cyprus and Greece. In an increasingly most appreciative of his entrusting me conferences that were held nationwide. dangerous and geopolitically significant to carry out the mission of AHI, which he AHI’s commitment to the perpetuation part of the world, it is important for us valued so deeply. I can never replace him, of Hellenism in America is steadfast. I to do our part to ensure the trilateral but I will always do my best to honor his also look forward to resuming our world- partnership continues to expand across name by continuing his work and legacy. class, uplifting programs such as our all sectors, lending stability to the region. I believe he would have been proud of Annual Hellenic Heritage Achievement our efforts during this past year. May his Undeterred by the challenges of and National Public Service Awards memory be eternal. lockdowns and social distancing, AHI Dinner and our study abroad program continued to work on our priorities to for college students as well as exploring During a year unlike any other in recent advance U.S. relations with Greece and additional ways to encourage growth memory, I am proud that AHI adapted Cyprus and to insist that Turkey be held in commerce, trade and investment and persevered. We held true to our accountable for its rapid escalation between the United States and Greece. mission thanks to the steadfast support of tensions through its belligerence of our Board of Directors, six of whom we Finally, AHI is excited about the prospects and illegal provocations in the Eastern welcomed last year, and to the dedicated of enhanced people-to-people ties Mediterranean, the Aegean Sea, and and diligent work of our staff during with celebrations to commemorate the the broader region. In our efforts to these unprecedented times. All of us bicentennial of Greece’s independence in accomplish these and all our initiatives working together along with you, our 2021. It is because of the long historical that advocate for the rule of law and treasured members, makes AHI continue U.S.-Greece friendship and these strong the best interests of the United States, to shine. people-to-people ties between the two we engaged with policy makers in the countries that AHI will encourage the We witnessed some important mile- Trump administration and maintained U.S. government to be engaged in the stones in 2020, not the least of which was a consistent presence on Capitol Hill bicentennial commemoration of Greece’s Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s historic where our policy positions are valued as independence. visit to Greece and Souda Bay, Crete in evidenced by the feedback we received, September. In his remarks, Pompeo said which is presented in this report. As I reflect on 2020, I am deeply grateful that Americans “look to Greece for a true and appreciative of the members, Now we must work to educate a new pillar of stability and prosperity in the board officers and staff for their Biden Administration and the 117th Eastern Mediterranean.” AHI has been dedication. Alongside our own activities Congress on our policy priorities, also emphasizing this truth to policymakers in Washington, and abroad, AHI’s presented in this report, and make sure for years, and it was gratifying to hear a strength relies on the many significant our concerns are at the forefront and that siting Secretary of State say it publicly. contributions and generous support U.S. relations with Greece and Cyprus of our members. We also look to you to AHI was pleased with the Trump Ad- remain on the ascent. communicate your suggestions, share ministration’s decision to slap Tur- Last year, to keep our audiences and your knowledge, and provide your key with sanctions for its acquisition stakeholders informed, we issued a insights so that we can continue to fulfill of the Russian-made S-400 missile record 161 press releases, statements, the needs of our most valuable asset— defense system, which is in violation of and announcements. We published white our members. the Countering America’s Adversaries papers, circulated our weekly e-news and Through Sanctions Act. AHI made the Thank you! hosted an inaugural “Virtual Speakers case to the Administration and to Con- Forum” series. AHI remains an important With warm regards and gratitude, gress to enact the policy and welcomed resource for media outlets seeking the the shift away from the previous failed Greek American perspective on U.S. policies of appeasement toward Turkey. policy in the Eastern Mediterranean. We In 2020, we joyfully marked the 60th placed several letters to the editor and Nick Larigakis, President 1 AMERICAN AMERICAN HELLENIC HELLENIC INSTITUTE INSTITUTE FOUNDATION The American Hellenic Institute, Inc. (AHI) is a respected and independent non-profit, public policy and advocacy center that works to strengthen relations between the United States and Greece and Cyprus, and within the Greek American community. It was founded on August 1, 1974, following Turkey’s invasion of Cyprus with the illegal use of American- supplied arms in violation of U.S. laws and agreements. The AHI initiated the rule of law issue in the Congress in the interests of the U.S., thus changing the face of American politics. In the years since 1974, AHI has kept the spirit of the rule of law alive. TheAmerican Hellenic Institute Foundation, Inc. (AHIF), established in 1975, is a 501(c) (3) non-profit tax-exempt educational and research organization and is the first “think tank” devoted exclusively to the study of the issues confronting the Greek American community. AHI and AHIF have championed the rule of law and American values in foreign policy as in the best interests of the U.S. This is especially true in the Eastern Mediterranean, a region critically important to American national interests. Through our deep understanding and knowledge of issues affecting Greece, Cyprus, and U.S. interests in the region, we serve as the leading voice to American, Greek, and Cypriot policy makers and within the community. With our newsletters, conferences, seminars, publications and social media, we serve