[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 252 Introduced in House (IH)]







105th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 252

Relating to a United States initiative to help resolve the situation in 
                                Cyprus.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 26, 1998

Mrs. Maloney of New York (for herself, Mr. Bilirakis, Mr. Andrews, Mr. 
Blagojevich, Mr. Bonior, Mr. Brown of Ohio, Mr. Cunningham, Mr. Doyle, 
Mr. Engel, Mr. Filner, Ms. Furse, Mr. Horn, Mrs. Kelly, Mr. Kennedy of 
 Massachusetts, Mr. Kennedy of Rhode Island, Mr. Klink, Mr. McGovern, 
  Mr. McNulty, Mr. Meehan, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Pallone, Mr. Pappas, Mr. 
    Pascrell, Mr. Payne, Mr. Porter, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Tierney, Mr. 
Visclosky, Mr. Hinchey, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, and Mr. Franks of New Jersey) 
 submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to 
                the Committee on International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
Relating to a United States initiative to help resolve the situation in 
                                Cyprus.

Whereas President Glafcos Clerides of the Republic of Cyprus was recently re-
        elected for a second 5-year term with a renewed mandate to resolve the 
        situation in Cyprus arising from Turkey's invasion of the island in 1974 
        and its continuing military occupation of 37 percent of Cyprus's 
        territory;
Whereas the international community, including the United States, is expected to 
        engage in a sustained effort to bring about a just, viable, and 
        comprehensive solution to the situation in Cyprus;
Whereas Cyprus will begin negotiations with the European Union on March 31, 
        1998, for accession to the European Union;
Whereas it is recognized that the prospect of Cyprus's accession to the European 
        Union could serve as a catalyst for resolving the situation in Cyprus;
Whereas the entire population of Cyprus, including the Turkish Cypriots, would 
        benefit greatly from Cyprus's membership in the European Union;
Whereas a positive contribution by Turkey to the solution of the situation in 
        Cyprus, as repeatedly called for by the United States and the 
        international community, will not only facilitate Turkey's aspirations 
        in Europe but will also enhance stability and peace in the Eastern 
        Mediterranean and will safeguard the interests on the United States in 
        the region;
Whereas the United States Government has sought to identify the remains of 
        United States citizen Andreas Kassapis and hopes that this action will 
        lead to further breakthroughs on the subject of the missing from both 
        communities in Cyprus;
Whereas, in July 1997, the House of Representatives and the Senate adopted House 
        Concurrent Resolution 81 and Senate Concurrent Resolution 41 calling for 
        a United States initiative to resolve the situation in Cyprus on the 
        basis of international law, the provisions of relevant United Nations 
        Security Council resolutions, democratic principles, including respect 
        for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and in accordance with the 
        norms and requirements for accession to the European Union;
Whereas the House of Representatives and the Senate in these concurrent 
        resolutions also consider that lasting peace and stability on Cyprus 
        could be best secured by a process of complete demilitarization of the 
        island;
Whereas United Nations Security Council Resolution 1092 of December 23, 1996, 
        states that a Cyprus settlement must be based on a state of Cyprus with 
        a single sovereignty and international personality and single 
        citizenship, with its independence and territorial integrity 
        safeguarded, and comprising 2 politically equal communities as described 
        in the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions in a 
        bicommunal and bizonal federation and that such a settlement must 
        exclude union in whole or in part with any country or any form of 
        partition or secession; and
Whereas the Congress intends to remain actively seized of the matter: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the Congress strongly urges the President--
            (1) to seize the opportunity presented by the beginning of 
        a new presidential term in the Republic of Cyprus and the 
        opening accession negotiations between Cyprus and the European 
        Union to launch an initiative to resolve the situation in 
        Cyprus based on the parameters and principles set forth in 
        House Concurrent Resolution 81 and Senate Concurrent Resolution 
        41 of the 105th Congress and United Nations Security Council 
        Resolution 1092 of December 23, 1996; and
            (2) to continue the bimonthly reports to the Congress on 
        the active engagement of the United States in the efforts to 
        find a solution to such situation in Cyprus.
                                 <all>