Susan Bysiewicz's Position On Relations Between The United States And Greece

Susan Bysiewicz's Paper Which Focuses on Relations Between The United States And Greece

America’s Greek heritage is as old as our nation itself. We were born of the Greek ideals of democracy and equality. We have been strengthened by the contributions of generations of Greek-American immigrants. And we have all been enriched by our extraordinary Greek culture. We owe our leadership in the world today, as well as in the arts, literature, theatre, math, science, architecture, and engineering, in no small part by the example set forth by our Greek friends.

As a Greek-American, I am tremendously proud of what my heritage means for our country. The history of Greece is woven into the history of America. Yet I also know that we still have much to do to realize the true potential of those ancient ideals. That is why I am committed to fulfilling our shared vision in the United State Senate.

The relationship between Greece and the United States is special and inseparable. Our historic partnership has nourished both nations for generations. Now, we need to ensure that this special relationship continues to grow and thrive for years to come.


Macedonia

Macedonia has referred to a geographical region and not a nationality. Macedonia was part of the ancient Hellenic world much like Sparta and Athens. Its population worshipped the same Hellenic Gods, spoke the same Hellenic language, and participated in the Olympic Games, which at the time were open to Greeks only.

Therefore, I strongly believe the United States must stand with Athens in its United Nations-led negotiations with Skopje to find an acceptable name for the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). An acceptable name will lead to greater stability in the Balkans and greater dignity for the Macedonian people. As a Senator, I will be committed to ensuring stability for my ancestral home.

As a member of the Senate, I will do the following to help accomplish the goal of having FYROM negotiate in good faith with Greece:

• 1. Work with the State Department to ensure that U.S. Diplomats put pressure on their counterparts in Skopje to negotiate in good faith;
• 2. Personally meet with the leaders of FYROM to convey the importance felt by the U.S. Senate that their negotiations with Greece need to be in good faith;
• 3. Ensure that the Executive Branch continues to advocate a position which will keep FYROM from joining NATO until the name dispute is resolved;
• 4. Introduce measures to keep FYROM from receiving foreign aid until there is proof that FYROM has committed to negotiate in good faith with Greece to find a mutually acceptable internal and international name;
• 5. Sponsor legislation that urges FYROM to stop creating and spreading propaganda that violates provisions of the Interim Agreement between Greece and FRYOM negotiated by the United Nations.

It is my hope that these actions by the United States, together with efforts by the United Nations, will bring a timely and mutually acceptable name for the region currently known as Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.


Cyprus

Cyprus is a key ally of the United States. We share the same values of freedom, democracy, and adherence to the rule of law. I am committed to ensuring that Cyprus remains Western-oriented and has the opportunity to gain the peace and prosperity it deserves.

As a Senator, I will strive to ensure that the United States plays a meaningful role in the negotiations of a political settlement on Cyprus. My goal is for Cyprus to remain a single, sovereign country within a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation. However, a negotiated political settlement on Cyprus must end the Turkish occupation of northern Cyprus and repair the tragic division caused by Turkey’s aggression. Only after Turkey ends its occupation of Cyprus can the region start down the long-term path toward prosperity and peace.

As a member of the Senate, I will do the following to help accomplish the goal of having a unified Cyprus:

• 1. Staunchly advocate to the State Department that the Executive Branch makes the reunification of Cyprus a priority for the United States with the goals of:
• a. Supporting a settlement through negotiations based on a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation in a state with single sovereignty and international recognition, incorporating the norms of a constitutional democracy;
• b. The withdrawal of Turkey’s 43,000 illegal occupying troops located in Cyprus;
• c. The return of more than 180,000 illegal Turkish colonists/settlers in Cyprus to Turkey, and ending the practice of bringing more colonist/settlers to the country;
• d. Removal of illegal setters estimated to be as high as 500,000;
• e. Restore property taken illegally in the northern-occupied area of Cyprus to its rightful owners, and payment by Turkey to the owners for the deprivation and the use of their property;
• f. Have Turkey return the sealed-off section of Famagusta to its lawful inhabitants;

• 2. Sponsor legislation that increases the monitoring and enforcement of laws prohibiting the transfer of U.S. arms to Cyprus as found in 22 USC 237(e);
• 3. Introduce legislation that calls for the removal of Turkish troops from Cyprus and the return of the illegal settlers/colonists to Turkey using a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation in a state with single sovereignty and international personality, in line with measures introduced in the 110th Congress, like S.Res. 331/H.Res. 320, and H.Res. 4070;
• 4. Sponsor legislation that sets forth two distinct and separate processes by which U.S. nationals can seek the fair rental value of their property in Turkish-occupied Cyprus.

The United States has a vital role to play in setting the tone of talks between Cyprus and Turkey. We should start by ending our double standard policy that rewards Turkish aggression and ignores countless violations of the rule of law in Cyprus.

Ecumenical Patriarchate Many scholars believe that America’s founders considered religious freedom to be the “first liberty” and a vital part of America’s heritage. The United States remains a place where individuals can choose their religion and celebrate freely and openly, without harassment or intimidation from the Government. As an elected official, I believe this to be a fundamental right of every person no matter where they live in the world. Moreover, as a person of faith, I believe that the United States must provide the moral leadership to ensure that individuals can worship without persecution.

The Turkish government has tolerated assaults against its Greek Orthodox Christian minority, the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and continues the illegal closure of the Greek Orthodox Halki Patriarchal School of Theology in Istanbul. These actions not only violate our most cherished ideals, they also violate our laws on religious freedom, as outlined in the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (IRFA). As a nation, we are obligated to stand up for those who want to study and practice their religion freely.

While Turkey has shown some recognition that it needs to address the issues of religious freedom within its borders, there is much more than needs to be done. Specifically, Turkey should recognize the Patriarch’s “ecumenical” title, reopen the Halki Seminary, return all confiscated properties, and ensure the succession of the Ecumenical Patriarch.

As a member of the Senate, I will do the following to ensure religious freedom for the Greek Orthodox Church in Turkey:

• 1. Act as a direct voice to the State Department and Executive Branch to ensure that the full diplomatic weight of our nation is pressed on Turkey to:
• a. Reopen the Patriarchate’s school of theology in Halki Island, guarantee the right to train clergy of all nationalities, not just Turkish nationals, and respect the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s rights and freedoms – including its property rights;
• b. Urge Turkey to grant legal personality to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, recognize the ecumenical role of the Patriarch and the Patriarchate, and safeguard it;
• c. Ensure the Halki School of Theology has the right to determine its administration, faculty, and course of study, and lift restrictions on the election of the Patriarch;
• d. Have Turkey promptly return illegally confiscated properties from the Ecumenical Patriarchate by the Turkish government;Urge Turkey to respect human and minority rights;

• 2. Introduce legislation urging the Turkish government to respect the rights and religious freedoms of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of the Orthodox Christian Church;
• 3. Sponsor legislation that urges Turkey to safeguard its Christian Heritage;
• 4. Meet directly with Turkish representatives and leadership to personally enforce these points with them.
• The United States’ role must be immediate, definite, and unyielding in our pursuit of religious freedom. As a country, we cannot tolerate religious persecution anywhere in the world.

International Law in the Aegean Sea Greece has always been a valuable, necessary, and reliable ally for the United States. Time and again, the Greek people have proven to be our irreplaceable friends in southeastern Europe and the eastern Mediterranean.

The United States should continue to strengthen this vital relationship. As a signatory to the 1947 Paris Peace Treaty, the United States agreed to Greece’s claim on the Dodecanese Islands. The United States has yet to help fully enforce the maritime line in the Aegean Sea between Greece and Turkey set by several treaties, including the 1947 Paris Peace Treaty.

As a member of the Senate, I will do the following to ensure Greece’s sovereignty:

• 1. Establish, as a matter of US law, that the maritime boundary in the Aegean is the boundary set forth in the various treaties involved, including the 1947 Paris Peace Treaty that the US has signed;
• 2. Work with the State Department to urge Turkey to publicly state that it accepts – as final – the demarcation of the maritime border between Greece and Turkey in the Aegean Sea as defined by relevant treaties, in order to repudiate any challenge by Turkey to the treaty-defined boundary;
• 3. Advocate the appropriate international law and procedure, with respect to any dispute Turkey has with Greece in the Aegean Sea, to relevant bodies.

The United States embodies the continuing ideals of democratic rule and governance first born in Greece. In honor of our shared heritage, we should ensure that Greece is able to govern every aspect of its sovereign land and sea borders.


Recognizing the Greek Pontian and Anatolian Genocide

It has been ninety-three years since the Genocide of the Pontic and Anatolian Greeks. From 1914 to 1923, Pontian and Anatolinan Greeks were subjected to human rights abuses, slaughter, and expulsion by long death marches. These genocidal polices of the Young Turk regime resulted in over half a million deaths and the tragic end to the three thousand year presence of Hellenism in Asia Minor – today’s Turkey.

On December 15, 2007, the International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) voted to overwhelmingly recognize the Greek Genocide. In their resolution, they stated, “[I]t is the conviction of the International Association of Genocide Scholars that the Ottoman campaign against Christian minorities of the Empire between 1914 and 1923 constituted genocide against Armenians, Assyrians, and Pontian and Anatolian Greeks.” The IAGS was joined by Greece and Cyprus, the South Australia State Parliament, and the Swedish Parliament.

As a member of the Senate, I will do the following:

• 1. Sponsor measures recognizing the Pontian and Anatolian Greek Genocide;
• 2. Work with the President to ensure that the Executive Branch is well informed about the genocide and will speak out about them on the international stage.

I believe that we need to be honest about Greek history and declare true genocides what they were. Only then will we be able to heal the scars of the past and guard against future regret.

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