CYPRUS   This year we witnessed an important development on the issue of Cyprus. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan developed a plan, which was supported by both Turkish and Greek governments, and the ensuing referendum was put before both the Turkish and Greek Cypriots for the reunification of the island on April 24, 2004.  As you know, there were opposing views within Turkey as to the desired outcome of the referendum, and the question remained under the spotlight for some time. Per ATAA’s policy of not declaring positions on politically sensitive and divisive issues within Turkey, prior to the referendum, we refrained from making formal statements, and maintained our neutrality before our constituents.  However, when the outcome of the referendum strengthened the long-time position and arguments of the Turkish side, as ATAA we made a conscious and industrious effort to communicate the positive aspects of this latest development to the American government, administration, and the media. Below is the documentation of such intensive work. When the U.S. Congress is back in session on September 7, we will resume our efforts to keep the Cyprus issue current, and not allow it to be placed in the backburner.    ATAA's recent work on the Cyprus issue consisted of the following: 1. Public statement on Cyprus referendum. 2. Brainstorming session at ATAA to develop strategy for meetings with members of U.S. government and Congress. 3. Meetings with U.S. State Department officials  4. Meetings with members of U.S. Congress   Excerpts from ATAA's Statement on Cyprus Referendum, May 5, 2004 ATAA is a neutral American institution which in principle neither supports nor condones political partiality of any kind, however we strongly protest the autocratic tactics used by the Greek Cypriot government to manipulate the outcome of a referendum as well as the campaigns of censorship, suppression of free speech, as well as the prevention of EU's commissioner for enlargement; Günter Verheugen, from appearing on Greek Cypriot TV during the referendum campaign.  We applaud the statement by Alvaro de Soto, the disappointed the UN peace envoy that "the international community would act to improve the situation of Turkish Cypriots", and we encourage other European nations to follow England and Finland to press for an end to the unjust economic embargo on the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Click here for the full text.     ATAA's Turkish-American Summit for Planning Session ATAA hosted a Turkish American NGO summit to discuss and formulate policy with respect to post-referendum, North Cyprus. Participants included representatives from the Turkish Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (TUSIAD), ARI Foundation, the Turkish Law Project (TLP), and various Turkish-Cypriot entities.  Click here for details.   ATAA Meets with Amb. Marc Grossman, Undersecretary of State   On May 12, Undersecretary H. E. Ambassador Marc Grossman, the third highest person in the U.S. State Department, received the ATAA leadership and a delegation of ATAA membership for a visit to discuss the developments following the referendum in Cyprus. Attending the meeting were ATAA President Mr. Ercument Kilic, Turkish Cypriots Dr. Ali Manizade, Dr. Fevziye Manizade, and ATAA Component Association MATA President Orhan Suleiman, Turkish Businessman Semsi Yozgat, and attorneys Mr. David Saltzman and Mr. Gunay Evinc.   ATAA Meets with Amb. Lynn Pascoe, Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs   ATAA President Mr. Ercument Kilic, ATAA President-elect Mr. Vural Cengiz, ATAA Vice-president Ms. Oya Bain, ATAA Component Association MATA President Mr. Orhan Suleiman, TUSIAD Washington Representative Mr. Abdullah Akyuz, and ATAA Member Dr. Ayse Soyer visited Amb. Lynn Pascoe at the State Department.  The issues brought to Mr. Pascoe's attention were that the Turkish Cypriots had come through with large numbers by saying 'yes', and that they had shown their goodwill to see the island reunite despite the fact that they would have been the ones being required to relocate in large numbers during the reunification process.    Meeting with Florida Republican, Congressman Stearns   At this meeting, various issues including Turkish-American relations in general, the European Union, Nagorno Karabagh, and especially the referendum in Cyprus were discussed with Congressman Stearns, who welcomed the thoughts and suggestions of the ATAA President, and praised Turkey for being a democratic and secular country. Mr. Stearns stated that he would extend a hand at any time, and even initiate legaslative action on the floor of the Congress to seek support for Turkish Cypriots.   Meeting with Ohio Republican, Congressman Gillmor       U.S. Congressman Mr. Paul Gillmor of Ohio, a long-time friend of Turkey, met with the ATAA leadership and members. The discussion was centered on the recent developments in Cyprus, before and during the recent referendum for the re-unification of the island, and on ATAA's thoughts on reconsideration of past U.S. policies on such issues as the economic embargo and the direct flight restrictions to Northern Cyprus. The issues concerning the Turkmen in Iraq were also discussed.   Meeting with Kentucky Democrat, Congressman Chandler   "I've been to Turkey as a young student." "My mother was just there." "We love Turkey!"  were the words of Congressman Ben Chandler.  During this warm meeting, Congressman Chandler offered his future cooperation in issues concerning Turkey.   Among the other Congressmen and staff that ATAA visited are Congressman Rush Holt (D-NJ), Congressman Doug Ose (R-CA), Congressman Frank Wolf (R-VA), and Congressman Bill Pascrell (D-NJ), as well as Senator Jim Bunning (R-KY)