Nicosia.- (CNA)

Cyprus welcomed an old fighter for its cause, Gene Rossides, founder and former President of the American Hellenic Institute (AHI), who visited the island for meetings with President Anastasiades, President of the House of Representatives Yiannakis Omerou as well as political leaders. He was accompanied by AHI’s president, Nick Larigakis. He has also presented his book “Kissinger and Cyprus: A study in lawlessness”.

Former Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou – Marcoullis, AHI President Nick Larigakis, Government Spokesman Nicos Christodoulides and AHI Founder Gene Rossides, during his book presentation in Nicosia, Cyprus.

At the book presentation event about the book spoke the Government Spokesman Nicos Christodoylides, who referred to the stability role of Cyprus in the region of the Eastern Mediterranean and its important role due to the hydrocarbon reserves in Cyprus` Exclusive Economic Zone. Christodoulides said that Cyprus is the only predictable and reliable partner of the United States, Israel, Egypt and other traditional friends in the Eastern Mediterranean.

“Cyprus, unlike Turkey, is the only predictable and reliable partner of the United States, Israel, Egypt and other traditional friends in the Eastern Mediterranean.”, he stressed.

Christodoulides pointed out that Cyprus is the only country that can become a bridge between countries such as Egypt, Lebanon, Israel, and Turkey in the event of a Cyprus settlement.

He added that the US should continue to send the message to Turkey that the lack of solution of the Cyprus problem constitutes a serious political, economic and energy cost, while the solution would offer important benefits to Ankara.

The solution of Cyprus, he said, must be based on an agreement to reunify the country, its economy and institutions, by ensuring the human rights of all legitimated residents of Cyprus.

In his statements, the writer of the book Mr Rossides talked about the role of former US Foreign Minister and former Advisor for National Security, Hennry Kissinger during the Cyprus tragedy in 1974.

Rossides said that Kissinger was “a criminal of war”, who “fully encouraged the Turkish invasion” against Cyprus in the summer of 1974, since he did not stop the Athens JUNTA which acted against the then elected President of Cyprus.

Kissinger, he said, was the National Security Advisor who harmed the US more than others in the history of the country.

Referring to Turkey, he said Ankara is not a reliable ally for the US or the Western countries, noting that on the contrary, Turkey is working against its allies.

Rossides referred to the strategic advantages that Cyprus can offer the US and the West as well as to the US role in the efforts to solve the Cyprus issue.

Asked why Kissinger held such a stance against Cyprus, Rossides said that the reasons behind it were that the US official was annoyed by former Cypriot President, Archbishop Makarios` decision for Cyprus to become a member of the Non Alignment Movement.

Rossides said he held a meeting yesterday with US Ambassador in Nicosia, whom he asked to openly ask Ankara to withdraw its troops from the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus.

The event was also addressed by President of AHI Nick Larigakis, who said that the EU should not allow the occupation of one of its member states by another country, which is a NATO member.

He said that the overseas community takes actions so that Cyprus` positions in the US are heard and the country is finally reunified and human rights are respected.

Referring to the writer of the book, Larigakis noted that Rossides has worked more than anyone else to promote Cyprus issues in the US.

ROSSIDES HONORED

The House of Representatives on Wednesday honored Eugene Rossides for his continuous dedication to Cyprus and its cause. President of the House Yiannakis Omirou awarded a medal to Eugene Rossides, during a ceremony held at the Parliament, noting “his numerous and diverse life achievements and momentous support to Cyprus”.

“As the protagonist in convincing the US Congress to impose an arms embargo on Turkey following the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation of Cyprus and as the frontrunner in the fight in Congress to uphold the rule of law in American foreign policy, Mr. Rossides has proved an important asset for Cyprus and Greece, but also to the United States. His untiring advocacy for human rights, the rule of law and democratic principles makes him a cross-border precious role model for generations to come” Omirou said in his address.

He then congratulated Rossides on his newest publication, “Kissinger & Cyprus: A Study in Lawlessness” and spoke of “a book of high significance” that explores Kissinger` s responsibility for the Cyprus tragedy of 1974, Turkey` s major violations of United States laws and international legality, the importance of complete allegiance of the United States to the rule of law and the historically strategic, economic and political position of Cyprus.

Omirou said that to all Cypriots and Greeks Rossides “stirs continuous appreciation as the founder of the American Hellenic Institute and as the father figure in promoting and consolidating good relations between Greece and the United States”.

Eugene Rossides was appointed as Assistant to the Undersecretary of the US Treasury during President Eisenhower’s administration. Furthermore he served as Assistant Secretary of the US Treasury Department, from 1969 to 1973, appointed by President Nixon. During this time, Henry Kissinger was National Security Adviser, allowing Rossides to have unique exposure to the shaping of US foreign policy at the crucial time when the Cyprus problem unfolded as it did.

Rossides said he would continue fighting for Cyprus “till we get it free” and assured that he would continue to work hard for the rule of law and for the interest of the US and Cyprus.

Speaking about his book, he said that “it lays out the stupidity of Henry Kissinger and his actions regarding Cyprus”.

“Henry Kissinger was actually the Achilles` heel of Richard Nixon and his whole administration not just on the Cyprus issue but on Vietnam and other issues. This is the man that did more damage to the US than any other former national security adviser we ever had” he said.

Anastasiades receives founder of the American Hellenic Institute

The Cyprus problem and energy issues were discussed by President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades and Eugene Rossides, founder and former President of the American Hellenic Institute (AHI), during a meeting here on Tuesday, in the presence of Nick Larigakis, the current President of AHI.

According to an official announcement, President Anastasiades praised the role of Greeks and Cypriots overseas, both with regard to the struggle of Cyprus for liberation and reunification as well as in strengthening relations with the United States.

The President of the Republic referred to the upgraded relations between the Republic of Cyprus and the United States, noting a visit by American Vice President Joe Biden to Cyprus earlier this year.