[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 320 Introduced in House (IH)]






108th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 320

 Supporting the removal of Turkish occupation troops from the Republic 
                               of Cyprus.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 16, 2003

 Mr. Andrews (for himself, Mr. Bilirakis, Mr. Pallone, and Mr. Ryan of 
  Ohio) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
                  Committee on International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Supporting the removal of Turkish occupation troops from the Republic 
                               of Cyprus.

Whereas the United States has shown consistent interest in resolving the Cyprus 
        issue and has encouraged every effort in that direction;
Whereas the recent signing by the President of the Republic of Cyprus of the 
        European Union Accession Treaty on April 16, 2003, has opened new 
        avenues for the resolution of the division of the island;
Whereas Turkish troops have been in Cyprus ever since the illegal occupation of 
        1974, and the number of occupying troops has increased over the last 
        three decades so that there are now over 30,000 Turkish troops in the 
        nation, making Cyprus one of the most militarized countries in the 
        world;
Whereas the Greek Cypriots recently implemented a package of good faith measures 
        designed to assist their Turkish Cypriot compatriots by ensuring that 
        the Turkish Cypriots can enjoy the same rights and privileges enjoyed by 
        all other citizens of Cyprus, such as free movement of goods, improved 
        healthcare, education, trade, and employment opportunities;
Whereas a resolution of the Cyprus issue may materially advance the chance of 
        Turkey to proceed with its accession to the European Union; and
Whereas the recent opportunity of contact between the Greek Cypriots and the 
        Turkish Cypriots provided by the opening of crossing points by the 
        occupation authorities has demonstrated that Greek Cypriots and Turkish 
        Cypriots can live in harmony without animosity and within the rule of 
        law of the European Union: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) wishing to accelerate the momentum for the 
        reunification of the Republic of Cyprus, urges as a further 
        step, the immediate withdrawal of the Turkish troops of 
        occupation;
            (2) calls upon the Administration of the United States to 
        advocate for the immediate withdrawal of Turkish troops from 
        the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus; and
            (3) expresses its strong support of the recent decision by 
        the European Parliament to demand the removal of the Turkish 
        occupation forces from the northern one-third of the Republic 
        of Cyprus.
                                 <all>