THE NATIONAL COORDINATED EFFORT OF HELLENES (CEH)

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 23, 2009 -- U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) met yesterday with leaders of the Coordinated Effort of Hellenes (CEH). They discussed all major Hellenic and Orthodox issues with a particular focus on the Cyprus issue. Majority Leader Reid’s interest in the division of Cyprus was demonstrated last year when, at the urging of CEH members, he met with Cyprus Foreign Minister Markos Kyprianou, the only foreign minister with whom he met. The Reid meeting yesterday was in preparation for renewed American efforts to end the division of Cyprus. As has always been the case when steps forward have been taken on the Cyprus issue, the involvement of Congressional leaders is crucial. Majority Leader Reid and CEH also made plans for follow-up meetings. This meeting with the Senate Majority Leader follows CEH involvement with the trip to Cyprus, Greece and Turkey by the Assistant Majority Leader of the U.S. Senate, Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Illinois Treasurer and U.S. Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias. Durbin is considered the closest person on Capitol Hill to President Barack Obama. Since his trip, Durbin has been personally involved in trying to improve Hellenic and Orthodox issues. Yesterday’s meeting with Senate Majority Leader Reid followed CEH’s meeting on the previous day with another key member of the U.S. Senate Democratic leadership, Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ). Since Senator Paul Sarbanes left the Senate, Menendez has taken on much of Senator Sarbanes’ role with respect to Hellenic and Orthodox issues, particularly on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. CEH members participating in these meetings included: Andrew A. Athens, Chairman, CEH; National Chairman, United Hellenic American Congress (UHAC), Honorary President, World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE); Philip Christopher, Vice Chair, CEH; President, International Coordinating Committee--Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA); President, Pancyprian Association of America; Andrew E. Manatos, President, CEH; Executive Board Member, UHAC and PSEKA; Panikos Papanicolaou, Supreme President, Cyprus Federation of America; Tasos D. Zambas, Alternate President, PSEKA; Chairman, Justice Committee, Cyprus Federation of America; Endy Zemenides, President, Hellenic American Leadership Council; Vice President, PSEKA; Mike Manatos, Executive Director, CEH.