Chicago Council of Justice for Cyprus

The Chicago Council of Justice for Cyprus ("CCJC") was formed in 1955 by Mr. Basil Portocalis, Dr. Christopher Costis, and Dr. Theodosis Kioutas. Chiakulas had been sent to Cyprus that year by the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions and the AFL-CIO to help organize trade unions in Cyprus. He returned to Chicago after the first of many visits and helped organize CCJC. Since its incepti

on, CCJC has actively educated both the Hellenic community and the general public regarding issues related to Cyprus. During the 1950’s, the founding members supported the struggle for Cypriot self-determination and enosis with Greece. However, by 1960, Great Britain, Greece, and Turkey had created an independent island nation instead. Equal power was granted to the 18% Turkish minority population and the unworkable, undemocratic constitution soon caused division between the communities. The most successful endeavor of CCJC occurred when Charles Chiakulas, as CCJC president, organized a coalition of Greek Americans to lobby President Lyndon B. Johnson and Secretary of State Dean Rusk to intervene in the impending planned “Operation Attila” or Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1964. The delegation was led by Congressman Roman Pucinski and high-level meetings were held with Secretary of State Rusk and head of Mid-Eastern Affairs Joseph Sisco. Since the Turkish military invasion of Cyprus in 1974, CCJC has coordinated various activities including, but not limited to, demonstrations, philanthropic efforts for Cyprus, informational/lobbying meetings with U.S. Congressmen and other political figures, presentations by members of both the Cypriot and Greek governments, and letters to the media, all in the pursuit of a just resolution to the ongoing tragic division of the island.