Executive chairman of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), Aram Hamparian, called for justice for Cyprus and said now is the time for the US administration to act.
Hamparian was addressing the 41st Annual PSEKA Conference in Washington, DC on Wednesday.
In his speech, he reminded that “there is no community closer to the Armenian heart than the Hellenic community” and “there is no cause dearer to the Armenian soul than the cause of Cyprus”. He called for justice, freedom and reunification and an end to the Turkish occupation.
He said the Hellenic community is stronger than ever while he sees a Greece and Cyprus better positioned geo-politically than ever. “I see a Turkish state more isolated – even reviled – than ever”, said Hamparian adding “the time is now. To hit – and hit hard. History has always been on our side” and called on the US administration “this and all future Administrations – must stand on our side”, not as a ‘neutral’ observer but as “an ‘honest broker.’
He said now is the time to “strike the right balance – between being at the table, and – in equal measure -at their throats. For the fate of a free people is at stake. Imposing concrete costs and political consequences on those in and around our government – who, through action or inaction – cross your community’s red-lines”.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results due to Turkish intransigence.