[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 165 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                 In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

                                                        April 10, 2003.
Whereas the United States believed there existed a historic opportunity to bring 
        a peaceful, just, and lasting settlement to the Cyprus problem, which 
        would have benefited all Greek and Turkish Cypriots, as well as the 
        wider region;
Whereas a resolution of the Cyprus problem remains consistent with American 
        values of promoting stability, freedom, and democracy in the world;
Whereas a resolution of the Cyprus problem is in the strategic interests of the 
        United States, given the important location of Cyprus at the crossroads 
        of Europe, Africa, and Asia;
Whereas the United States strongly supports the efforts of the United Nations 
        Secretary General, and his Special Advisor through his good offices 
        mission, to achieve a comprehensive settlement with respect to Cyprus in 
        full consideration with relevant United Nations Security Council 
        resolutions and international treaties;
Whereas a just and lasting resolution of the Cyprus problem, in full 
        consideration of United Nations Security Council resolutions and 
        international treaties, will safeguard the security and fundamental 
        rights of all Greek and Turkish Cypriots;
Whereas the United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan, on November 11, 2002, 
        submitted a proposal for the comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus 
        problem, referred to as the ``Basis for an Agreement on a Comprehensive 
        Settlement of the Cyprus problem'', which he revised on December 10, 
        2002, and again on February 26, 2003;
Whereas negotiations between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders, which had 
        been ongoing, were encouraged to be intensified in order that full 
        agreement could be reached by February 28, 2003, in conformity with the 
        timetable proposed by the United Nations Secretary General in his 
        proposals;
Whereas United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan again on February 26, 2003, 
        gave the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders, and the guarantor powers, 
        the United Kingdom, Greece and Turkey, a second revision of his plan in 
        order to accommodate input from both sides;
Whereas the revised plan was the result of exhaustive efforts by the United 
        Nations and would have lead to a peaceful, just and lasting settlement 
        of the longstanding division of Cyprus;
Whereas the Secretary General on February 28, 2003, at the conclusion of a visit 
        to Turkey, Greece, and Cyprus, invited the Greek and Turkish Cypriot 
        leaders to meet with him at The Hague on March 10, 2003, the purpose of 
        the meeting being to sign a commitment to submit the plan to approval in 
        separate, simultaneous referenda on March 30, 2003, in order to achieve 
        a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, and the guarantor 
        powers were also invited to attend the meeting and to sign the 
        commitment;
Whereas both the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders did attend the meeting at The 
        Hague with the Secretary General but the Secretary General's plan failed 
        when Turkish Cypriot Leader, Denktash, rejected both the comprehensive 
        settlement and the referendum proposal;
Whereas the United States Government expressed its deep disappointment that the 
        Secretary General's efforts to bring his plan for a comprehensive 
        settlement to referenda by Greek and Turkish Cypriots was rejected; and
Whereas despite this unfortunate setback, the United States remains committed to 
        seeking a just and durable settlement to the Cyprus problem: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) expresses its appreciation for the efforts of the United Nations 
        Secretary General to seek a peaceful, just, and lasting settlement of 
        the Cyprus problem for the benefit of the Greek and Turkish Cypriots and 
        the region;
            (2) expresses its strong disappointment that the Secretary General's 
        efforts to bring his plan for a comprehensive settlement to a referenda 
        by the Greek and Turkish Cypriots has been rejected;
            (3) expresses its very strong regret that Turkish Cypriot leader, 
        Mr. Denktash, rejected the comprehensive settlement offered by the 
        Secretary General and, by refusing to offer the settlement proposal to 
        referenda, denied the Turkish Cypriot community the opportunity to 
        determine their own future;
            (4) remains committed, despite the recent setback, to giving any 
        assistance necessary for finding a just and durable settlement for the 
        Cyprus problem and urges the maximum effort by the United States 
        Government and others to redouble their efforts to seek a just and 
        lasting settlement to the Cyprus problem;
            (5) encourages both Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders to renew their 
        efforts to find a settlement to the Cyprus problem on the basis of the 
        Secretary General's framework for a comprehensive settlement;
            (6) urges the Governments of Turkey and Greece to do everything 
        possible to support the search for a settlement, including actions by 
        the Government of Turkey helping to persuade the Turkish Cypriot leader 
        to reach an agreement which would reunite the island and which would 
        serve the interests of both Greek and Turkish Cypriots; and
            (7) encourages both sides, upon completion of a comprehensive 
        settlement, to consider putting such an agreement to referenda, if 
        necessary, in order that the will of the Greek and Turkish Cypriots can 
        be democratically expressed.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.