Famagusta delegation on a visit to USA

Famagusta Municipality delegation, under Mayor Alexis Galanos, is on a five day visit to the United States in an effort to further promote the cause of the citizens of Famagusta for the return of their home town, which is under Turkish occupation since 1974.
During a meeting the delegation had in Washington with members of the US Congress, Galanos briefed them on the issue and made special reference to the 26.000 signatures gathered by Famagusta citizens on a declaration, expressing the determination of the people of Famagusta to struggle for the return to their town in the context of a campaign for Famagusta.
Galanos requested the help of the US Congress and Administration towards this goal.
The issue was extensively discussed during a business lunch the delegation had with a number of Congressmen, including Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Shelley Berkley, Carolyn Maloney, Nita Lowey, Donald Payne, Gus Bilirakis, John Sarbanes, Zack Space and Frank Pallone.
Galanos and the other members of the delegation briefed the members of Congress about the latest development regarding Cyprus problem. During the gathering a short film of Famagusta was projected.
The delegation met with US State Department official Baxter Hunt.
Mayor Galanos gave a speech during an event organized by the American Hellenic Institute (AHI) titled “The Recent Campaign Undertaken by the Citizens of Famagusta for the Return of their Town and the Need for More Aggressive Diplomacy for the Implementation of the Rule of Law in Cyprus”.
Galanos stressed that the citizens of Famagusta have signed declaration which expresses their strong desire and determination to struggle for the return of their home town after 33 years of occupation. He also said that he considers of outmost importance the promotion of the signatures obtained during the campaign for the return of Famagusta to its lawful citizens.
He pointed out that Famagusta is a ghost town today and stands as a symbol of the struggle of Cyprus people for a solution to the long-standing problem.
Mayor of Famagusta also gave a speech at the International Law Society of Georgetown University.
The delegation concludes its meetings today.
The Famagusta Municipality campaign took place between April 8 and 14, and some 26,000 signatures were obtained for a declaration expressing the determination of the people of Famagusta to struggle for their return to their town. The town’s citizens were forced to flee their homes during the 1974 Turkish invasion of the island, which resulted in the occupation of the island’s northern third.