AHI Protests Florida Atlantic University's Kenan Evren Eminent Scholar Chair In Turkish Studies

On June 19, 2002, the American Hellenic Institute (AHI) sent a letter to Governor Jeb Bush protesting a decision to contribute $400,000 towards a $1,000,000 endowment fund to establish the Kenan Evren Eminent Scholar Chair in Turkish Studies at Florida Atlantic University (FAU). AHI called on Governor Bush to review certain facts regarding General Kenan Evren, namely that Evren: "(1) ordered the illegal invasion of Cyprus in July 1974, (2) ordered the coup d¹etat against the elected civilian government in September 1980, and (3) led the Turkish military¹s ethnic cleansing, crimes against humanity, and genocide against its 20 percent Kurdish minority."

The letter, submitted by AHI founder Gene Rossides, urges Governor Bush "to review the facts and reverse the decision to have $400,000 of state funds allocated to the Kenan Evren Eminent Scholar Chair in Turkish Studies at FAU." Mr. Rossides states in the letter:

"I would assume that you and the people of Florida, if aware of the facts, would strongly oppose your tax dollars being used to fund the Kenan Evren Eminent Scholar Chair in Turkish Studies.

Governor, we urge you to review the facts and reverse the decision to have $400,000 of state funds allocated to the Kenan Evren Eminent Scholar Chair in Turkish Studies at FAU. What would the reaction be if FAU were to announce a Fidel Castro Eminent Scholar Chair in Cuban Studies?"

A letter was also sent to Dr. Anthony James Catanese, President of FAU urging him to reconsider a chair in General Evren's name.

Full text of AHI's letters to Governor Bush (click here) and Dr. Catanese (click here) are attached. For additional information, please contact Chrysoula Economopoulos at (202) 785-8430 or at [email protected]. For general information on AHI, please view our website at https://www.ahiworld.org.