AHEPA Issues Immediate Action Alert
About U.S. State Department's
Formal Invitation to Talat

BACKGROUND

On October 27, 2005, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met with Turkish Cypriot Leader Mr. Mehmet Ali Talat after extending a formal invitation to Mr. Ali Talat. AHEPA registered its deep concern about the implications of the meeting to Secretary Rice. (Click here to read a copy of the AHEPA letter.)

On November 16, the Co-Chairs and Founders of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, U.S. Reps. Michael Bilirakis (R-9-FL) and Carolyn Maloney (D-14-NY) have circulated a strong letter expressing disappointment and concern about Secretary Rice's unprecedented invitation to Mr. Ali Talat to their colleagues in the House of Representatives for their signatures. (Click here to read the letter drawn up by the Hellenic Congressional Caucus.)

ACTION

Please contact your United States Representative today and ask them to sign on to the Bilirakis/Maloney Letter to Secretary Rice. They can sign on to the letter by contacting either Rep. Bilirakis' office or Rep. Maloney's office.

Urge Congress not to support and endorse actions that are inconsistent with longstanding United States policy toward Cyprus. Time is of the essence.

HOW TO CONTACT

1. Via E-mail by visiting http://www.house.gov/writerep/ [edd--Directions for contacting by email are as follows: a) Enter your state and zip code; b) Fill out the electronic form of your name and address; c) Write and submit your message]

2. Via Phone. The US Capitol Switchboard number is 202-224-3121. Ask to be connected to your representative's office. Ask to speak to the staff person responsible for international relations issues.

3. Via Fax. If you do not know your representative's fax number, please ask us. We will be glad to provide it. Or visit the representative's Web site. [edd--Directions for obtaining fax number are as follows: a) Visit http://www.house.gov/Welcome.html ;
b) Enter your zip code; c) Click on the link to your representative’s web site;
d) Locate the “Contact” or “Constituent Services” button on your representative’s Web site to find the fax number for your representative’s office.]

4. If your representative is holding a town hall meeting when Congress is in recess over the next two weeks please attend it. Print out a copy of the Hellenic Congressional Caucus letter for their review and ask them to sign on to it.

5. DO NOT SEND STANDARD U.S. MAIL

QUESTIONS?

Please contact us at 202.232.6300, ext. 204, or via email by responding to this alert.

Thank you.

Andrew G. Kaffes
Director of Public Relations
American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA)
1909 Q Street, NW
Suite 500
Washington, DC 20009
http://www.ahepa.org
akaffes@ahepa.org


(Posted November 2005)

The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) is the largest and oldest American-based, Greek heritage grassroots membership organization. Its scope is international with chapters in the United States, Canada, Greece, and Cyprus, and "sister" chapters in Australia and New Zealand under the auspices of AHEPA Australasia. AHEPA was founded on July 26, 1922 in response to the evils of bigotry and racism that emerged in early 20th century American society. It also helped Greek immigrants assimilate into society. Today, AHEPA brings the ideals of ancient Greece, which includes philanthropy, education, civic responsibility, and family and individual excellence to the community. The AHEPA family consists of four organizations: AHEPA, Daughters of Penelope, Sons of Pericles and Maids of Athena. For more information about the organization or how to join, contact AHEPA Headquarters (202-232-6300) or visit the organization's newly redesigned website at http://www.ahepa.org.

HCS maintains an extensive archives of AHEPA articles and press releases which readers are invited to browse under the AHEPA Family Releases section of the site archives at http://www.helleniccomserve.com/archiveahepa.html.

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