[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 81 Introduced in House (IH)]







105th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 81

  Calling for a United States initiative seeking a just and peaceful 
                 resolution of the situation on Cyprus.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 15, 1997

 Mr. Gilman (for himself, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Porter, Mr. Bilirakis, Mr. 
Engel, and Mrs. Maloney of New York) submitted the following concurrent 
   resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International 
                               Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
  Calling for a United States initiative seeking a just and peaceful 
                 resolution of the situation on Cyprus.

Whereas the Republic of Cyprus has been divided and occupied by foreign forces 
        since 1974 in violation of United Nations resolutions;
Whereas the international community, the Congress, and United States 
        administrations have called for an end to the status quo on Cyprus, 
        considering that it perpetuates an unacceptable violation of 
        international law and fundamental human rights affecting all the people 
        of Cyprus, and undermines significant United States interests in the 
        Eastern Mediterranean region;
Whereas the international community and the United States Government have 
        repeatedly called for the speedy withdrawal of all foreign forces from 
        the territory of Cyprus;
Whereas there are internationally acceptable means to resolve the situation in 
        Cyprus, including the demilitarization of Cyprus and the establishment 
        of a multinational force to ensure the security of both communities in 
        Cyprus;
Whereas the House of Representatives has endorsed the objective of the total 
        demilitarization of Cyprus;
Whereas during the past year tensions on Cyprus have dramatically increased, 
        with violent incidents occurring along ceasefire lines at a level not 
        reached since 1974;
Whereas recent events in Cyprus have heightened the potential for armed conflict 
        in the region involving two North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) 
        allies, Greece and Turkey, which would threaten vital United States 
        interests in the already volatile Eastern Mediterranean area and beyond;
Whereas a peaceful, just, and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem would 
        greatly benefit the security, and the political, economic, and social 
        well-being of all Cypriots, as well as contribute to improved relations 
        between Greece and Turkey;
Whereas a lasting solution to the Cyprus problem would also strengthen peace and 
        stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and serve important interests of 
        the United States;
Whereas the United Nations has repeatedly stated the parameters for such a 
        solution, most recently in United Nations Security Council Resolution 
        1092, adopted on December 23, 1996, with United States support;
Whereas the prospect of the accession by Cyprus to the European Union, which the 
        United States has actively supported, could serve as a catalyst for a 
        solution to the Cyprus problem:
Whereas President Bill Clinton has pledged that in 1997 the United States will 
        ``play a heightened role in promoting a resolution in Cyprus''; and
Whereas United States leadership will be a crucial factor in achieving a 
        solution to the Cyprus problem, and increased United States involvement 
        in the search for this solution will contribute to a reduction of 
        tensions on Cyprus: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the Congress--
            (1) reaffirms its view that the status quo on Cyprus is 
        unacceptable and detrimental to the interests of the United 
        States in the Eastern Mediterranean and beyond;
            (2) considers lasting peace and stability on Cyprus could 
        be best secured by a process of complete demilitarization 
        leading to the withdrawal of all foreign occupation forces, the 
        cessation of foreign arms transfers to Cyprus, and providing 
        for alternative internationally acceptable and effective 
        security arrangements as negotiated by the parties;
            (3) welcomes and supports the commitment by President 
        Clinton to give increased attention to Cyprus and make the 
        search for a solution a priority of United States foreign 
        policy;
            (4) encourages the President to launch an early substantive 
        initiative, in close coordination with the United Nations, the 
        European Union, and interested governments to promote a speedy 
        resolution of the Cyprus problem on the basis of international 
        law, the provisions of relevant United Nations Security Council 
        resolutions, democratic principles, including respect for human 
        rights, and in accordance with the norms and requirements for 
        accession to the European Union;
            (5) calls upon the parties to lend their full support and 
        cooperation to such an initiative; and
            (6) requests the President to report actions taken to give 
        effect to the objectives set forth in paragraph (4) in the 
        bimonthly report on Cyprus transmitted to the Congress.
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