[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 102 (Thursday, July 17, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S7733]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 41 RELATIVE TO A JUST AND PEACEFUL 
                 RESOLUTION OF THE SITUATION ON CYPRUS

  Mr. HELMS submitted the following original concurrent resolution; 
which was reported from the Committee on Foreign Relations and placed 
on the calendar.

                            S. Con. Res. 41.

       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, Congress, and 
     successive 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 during the past year tensions in Cyprus have 
     dramatically increased, with violent incidents occurring 
     along cease-fire 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 tension on Cyprus: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That 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 that lasting peace and stability on Cyprus 
     could be best secured by--
       (A) a process of complete demilitarization leading to the 
     withdrawal of all foreign occupation forces;
       (B) the cessation of foreign arms transfers to Cyprus; and
       (C) the provision of alternative internationally acceptable 
     and effective security arrangements with guaranteed rights 
     for both communities as negotiated by the parties;
       (3) welcomes and supports the commitment by President 
     Clinton to give increased attention to Cyprus and to make the 
     search for a solution a priority of United States foreign 
     policy, as witnessed by the appointment of Ambassador Richard 
     Holbrooke as Special Presidential Emissary for Cyprus; and
       (4) calls upon the parties to lend their full support and 
     cooperation to United States, United Nations, and other 
     international efforts to promote an equitable and speedy 
     resolution of the Cyprus problem--
       (A) on the basis of international law, the provisions of 
     relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, and 
     democratic principles, including respect for human rights; 
     and
       (B) in accordance with the norms and requirements for 
     accession to the European Union.

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