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EU CYPRUS ACCESSION DECISION IS "BALM" NOT "BOMB"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- AUGUST 20, 1997

Following the deadlock of the second round of U.N. sponsored Cyprus settlement talks, representatives of Hellenes in the United States, Cyprus, Greece and elsewhere around the world expressed sincere sadness to their counterparts of Turkish background in the U.S., Cyprus, Turkey and elsewhere around the world. The leaders said, "We believe, and we think that enlightened people of Turkish background also believe, that taking steps toward the European Union (EU) offers a strong prospect for ongoing prosperity and peace for our peoples."

These leaders stated, "It is unfortunate that Mr. Rauf Denktash attempted to stop the accession to the EU of Turkish-Cypriots and Greek-Cypriots, by calling the recent EU decision about the accession schedule a `bomb' to the peace process. It may be a `bomb' to the privileges Mr. Denktash has personally received for 23 years, but, for the Turkish-Cypriot and Turkish people, EU accession for Cyprus will be a `balm' meaning `anything healing or soothing.' It will bring long overdue economic prosperity to Turkish-Cypriots and guarantee security for everyone on the island. Further, it will move Turkey a step closer to EU involvement.

"Prior to prospects of Cyprus' accession to the EU: large numbers of Turkish-Cypriots have seen no economic or other reason to stay in the occupied area of Cyprus; and Turkey did not have the prospect of having Turkish voices in the EU, as part of Cyprus' membership, advocating Turkey's economic integration into the EU. We know Greek-Cypriots who, following reunification of the island and accession to the EU, will employ thousands of Turkish-Cypriots and will also become business partners with Turkish-Cypriots," said these leaders.

Those leaders of Hellenes announcing this information, include: Andrew A. Athens, president of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) and national chairman of UHAC; Philip Christopher, president of PSEKA and the Pancyprian Association of America; Andrew E. Manatos, president of the National Coordinated Effort of Hellenes; Nikos Mouyiaris, executive vice president of the Pancyprian Association; Panicos Papanicolaou, supreme president of the Cyprus Federation of America; and Charles Marangoudakis, president of UHAC New York.

For more information, please contact Mike Manatos at (202) 393-7790.