An article from the archives, written in the Spring of 1974 for “Today’s World” before the invasion of Cyprus, written by AHC President, Dr. James F. Dimitriou when he was still a graduate student.

The following historical article was published in “Today’s World” magazine in 1974. This is an historical look at Cyprus that Professors Theodore Saloutos and Spyros Vyonis had asked me to write when we first organized “The Save Cyprus Council.” In addition, as the first secretary of the Council I wrote several “Letters to the Editor” to many American newspapers as well as pamphlets distributed at our first rallies at Griffith Park, Redondo Beach, Pasadena and other communities.

Before writing the article, one of my visits to Cyprus was to conduct interviews and research just prior to the invasion on July 20, 1974.  My primary interview at the time was with Archbishop Makarios III, the first President of the Republic of Cyprus.  This turned out to be the last interview he granted before leaving office.  On July 19th I left Cyprus to return to Greece, the day prior to the Turkish invasion!  As Greece mobilized, I left from Patras to Brindisi and on to Geneva.  There I attended the preliminary peace talks before returning to the US.

When President Makarios later traveled to the US, I was honored by being asked to travel with his delegation ending in his presentation for the “Save Cyprus Council.”

The following year I was to travel to Turkey when the US Embassy informed me that I was designated a “persona non-grata” and denied admission to Turkey for the next 7 years.

Dr. James F. Dimitriou
President, American Hellenic Council