[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 148 (Thursday, September 21, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1824]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               SUPPORTING A DISPUTE RESOLUTION IN CYPRUS

                                 ______


                               speech of

                           HON. RICHARD BURR

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 18, 1995

  Mr. BURR. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to cosponsor and support House 
Concurrent Resolution 42, a measure to end the longstanding dispute 
regarding Cyprus. Over 20 years ago, the Turkish army invaded the 
island of Cyprus, seizing over 30 percent of the island's land and 
approximately 70 percent of the island's wealth. This action caused 
more than 200,000 Cypriots to be driven from their homes and made them 
refugees in their own country.
  Today, Turkey continues to maintain a force of over 35,000 troops on 
the island of Cyprus. Although this force was only supposed to stay to 
protect the Turkish-Cypriot minority for a short time, we are now 
beginning the third decade of Turkish occupation. This has led some 
observers to call this area one of the most highly militarized areas of 
the world.
  Last year, in an effort to break this deadlock, Cypriot President 
Glafcos Clerides offered to totally demilitarize the island by 
dismantling his army with the understanding the Turkish army would 
withdraw and work toward an agreement to unify the island and bring 
about a peaceful resolution to this longstanding and difficult problem. 
President Clerides' plan has received widespread support and 
international acclaim. The United Nations and the European Union have 
already stated their support for this plan and I am glad to see the 
House of Representatives join in this effort.
  This resolution is a balanced, fair, and bipartisan effort to support 
a peaceful resolution to the problem in Cyprus and to bring peace and 
stability to the eastern Mediterranean. I am proud to rise in support 
of this measure. It is in the best interest of the people of Cyprus, 
the people of the eastern Mediterranean, and the people of the United 
States. I urge a ``yes'' vote on House Concurrent Resolution 42.

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