Reflecting on our Founding of 50 Years Ago: The American Hellenic Institute's Mission and Achievements
No. 71
WASHINGTON, DC — On August 1, 1974, the Honorable Eugene T. Rossides, a former assistant secretary of the U.S. Treasury Department, founded the American Hellenic Institute (AHI) with the primary goal of advocating for the application of the Rule of Law in international relations, especially concerning Cyprus and Greece in the aftermath of Turkey’s brutal illegal invasion of the Republic of Cyprus that commenced July 20, 1974.
The Turkish government ordered its military to invade Cyprus with the illegal use of U.S.-supplied arms and equipment, in violation of the U.S. Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 by failing to halt immediately U.S. arms to Turkey as required by that basic U.S. law. This invasion also violated the Treaty of Establishment, the Treaty of Alliance and Treaty of Guaranty, which established the Republic of Cyprus and guaranteed the independence of the Republic of Cyprus, as well as the United Nations Charter and international law.
In response, the AHI played a pivotal role in galvanizing Congress to enact the "Rule of Law Arms Embargo," prohibiting arms sales to Turkey. The resulting legislation—an unprecedented rule of law U.S. arms embargo against Turkey—proved that the democratic ideals of ancient Greece continue to thrive as long as ordinary citizens remain vigilant, informed, and active.
Since then, AHI has emerged as a leading voice with a deep understanding of issues impacting the region, actively engaging with high-level policymakers and military officials in the U.S., Greece, and Cyprus. One of AHI's significant accomplishments lies in its impact on U.S. legislation in strengthening U.S. relations with Greece and Cyprus. AHI also initiated a $25 million annual Humanitarian Aid for Cyprus, totaling over $400 million. It has annually testified before House and Senate committees on foreign aid proposals, emphasizing the importance of supporting the rule of law in the region regarding Greece, Cyprus, the Aegean, and the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Today, AHI's influence extends beyond legislation to fostering dialogue and collaboration organizing numerous conferences, including the first of sixteen U.S.-Greece Trade Conference in 1975, and has hosted over 50 conferences on legislative policy regarding Greece and Cyprus. AHI also annually hosts on Capitol Hill the "Congressional Salute to Greek Independence Day" and a forum commemorating Turkey's illegal invasion of Cyprus.
Through publications and documentaries, AHI actively shapes U.S. foreign policy. It has produced nineteen publications and documentaries on topics related to U.S. foreign policy towards Greece, Cyprus, and Turkey. These materials contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the issues at hand, including the Institute’s fact sheets on U.S.-Greece Strategic Partnership Overview, U.S.-Republic of Cyprus Strategic Partnership, and the initiated study Souda Bay: NATO’s Military Gem in the Eastern Mediterranean produced by the Lexington Institute.
Empowering the next generation of Greek American leaders is another cornerstone of AHI's mission. Through its Foundation it inaugurated its annual College Student Foreign Policy Trip to Greece and Cyprus in 2009, educating college students and preparing them for leadership roles within the Greek American community. The AHI has also consistently honored excellence in the Greek American community through its annual Hellenic Heritage Achievement and National Public Service Awards Dinner.
AHI also collaborates closely with various organizations, including the Order of AHEPA, PSEKA, and others, to advance shared goals and promote the interests of the Greek American community. In 2014, the AHI, in conjunction with the Order of AHEPA, B’nai B’rith International, and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, established a biennial leadership mission to Greece, Cyprus, and Israel to promote the tripartite alliance between the three countries.
Fifty years later, the American Hellenic Institute works to fulfill its mission by promoting the best interests of the United States in Greece, Cyprus, the Eastern Mediterranean, and Southeast Europe while calling for action to stop blatant violations of the Rule of Law by malign actors in the region.
As we reflect on 50 years, we are deeply grateful and appreciative of the members, board officers and staff who have served the American Hellenic Institute during this half century. Their collective dedication has been essential to the Institute success.
While we are extremely proud to reach our golden anniversary and honor all those, past and present, who selflessly contributed to the American Hellenic Institute, this milestone is bittersweet, as we mark the somber 50th anniversary of Turkey’s illegal invasion of the Republic of Cyprus which continues to be occupied by over 40,000 illegal forces.
In the spirit of our founder, Eugene T. Rossides, we will not stop until the Rule of Law is applied to Greece, Cyprus, and the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Nick Larigakis
President & CEO
American Hellenic Institute
The American Hellenic Institute is an independent non-profit American public policy center and think tank that works to strengthen relations between the United States and Greece and Cyprus, and within the Greek American community.
For additional information, please contact us at (202) 785-8430 or pr@ahiworld.org. For general information about the activities of AHI, please see our website at http://www.ahiworld.org.