[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 149 (Monday, November 18, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11328-S11329]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING SECURITY, RECONCILIATION, 
                    AND PROSPERITY FOR ALL CYPRIOTS

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 539, S. Con. Res. 122.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will state the concurrent resolution 
by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 122) expressing the 
     sense of the Congress that security, reconciliation, and 
     prosperity for all Cypriots can be best achieved within the 
     context of membership in the European Union, which will 
     provide significant rights and obligations for all Cypriots, 
     and for other purposes.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution which had been reported from the Committee on Foreign 
Relations with an amendment and an amendment to the preamble, as 
follows:

  (Strike the parts shown in black brackets and insert the parts shown 
in italic.)

                            S. Con. Res. 122

       [Whereas the status quo on Cyprus remains unacceptable;
       [Whereas a just and lasting resolution of the Cyprus 
     problem, on the basis of United Nations Security Council 
     resolutions, must safeguard the security and fundamental 
     rights of all citizens of Cyprus, Greek-Cypriots and Turkish-
     Cypriots alike;
       [Whereas Cyprus is among the leading candidate countries 
     for accession to the European Union, in recognition of its 
     commitment to free markets, human rights, democracy, and the 
     rule of law;
       [Whereas the European Union guarantees to all its citizens 
     the indivisible universal values of human dignity (supporting 
     fair and equal treatment of all), freedom (right to security, 
     marriage, family, among others), equality (celebrating 
     cultural, religious, and linguistic diversity), solidarity 
     (protecting workers' rights and providing social security), 
     citizens' rights (voting), and justice (holding a fair 
     trial);
       [Whereas membership in the European Union will guarantee 
     each citizen of Cyprus important legal, civil, and human 
     rights, as well as the means and legal recourse necessary to 
     secure the full application of these fundamental individual 
     rights, and to promote the respect of cultural diversity and 
     traditions;
       [Whereas membership in the European Union will bring 
     significant benefits to both the Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-
     Cypriot communities, including new economic opportunities, 
     access to new markets, a freer exchange of goods and 
     services, balanced and sustainable development as well as the 
     free movement of persons, goods, and services and capital;
       [Whereas the European Council in its Summit Conclusions of 
     December 1999, in Helsinki, stated that ``a political 
     settlement [of the Cyprus problem] will facilitate the 
     accession of Cyprus to the European Union . . . [i]f no 
     settlement has been reached by the completion of accession 
     negotiations, the Council's decision on accession will be 
     made without the above being a precondition'';
       [Whereas both the United States and the European Union in 
     their summit statement on the New Transatlantic Agenda of 
     June 14, 2001, pledge to continue to work together to support 
     the efforts of the United Nations Secretary General to 
     achieve a comprehensive settlement with respect to Cyprus 
     consistent with relevant United Nations Security Council 
     resolutions and to continue to work toward the resumption of 
     talks;
       [Whereas 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; and
       [Whereas resolution of the Cyprus problem is also 
     consistent with American values, as enshrined in the rights 
     guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States, which 
     guarantees the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of 
     happiness: Now, therefore, be it]
       Whereas the current status quo on Cyprus remains 
     unacceptable and the reunification of Cyprus remains a 
     desirable foreign policy objective;
       Whereas a just and lasting resolution of the Cyprus 
     problem, in full consideration of United Nations Security 
     Council resolutions and international treaties, must 
     safeguard the security and fundamental rights of the 
     population of Cyprus, Greek-Cypriots and Turkish-Cypriots 
     alike;
       Whereas Cyprus is among the leading candidate countries for 
     accession to the European Union, in recognition of its 
     commitment to free markets, human rights, democracy, and the 
     rule of law;
       Whereas the European Union guarantees to all its citizens 
     the indivisible universal values of human dignity (supporting 
     fair and equal treatment of all), freedom (right to security, 
     marriage, family, among others), equality (celebrating 
     cultural, religious, and linguistic diversity), solidarity 
     (protecting workers' rights and providing social security), 
     citizens' rights (voting), and justice (holding a fair 
     trial);
       Whereas membership in the European Union will guarantee 
     each citizen of the Republic of Cyprus important legal, 
     civil, and human rights, as well as the means and legal 
     recourse necessary to secure the full application of these 
     fundamental individual rights, and to promote the respect of 
     cultural diversity and traditions;
       Whereas membership in the European Union will bring 
     significant benefits to both Greek-Cypriots and Turkish-
     Cypriots, including new economic opportunities, access to new 
     markets, a freer exchange of goods and services, balanced and 
     sustainable development as well as the free movement of 
     persons, goods, and services and capital;
       Whereas the European Council in its Summit Conclusions of 
     December 1999, in Helsinki, stated that ``a political 
     settlement [of the Cyprus problem] will facilitate the 
     accession of Cyprus to the European Union . . . [i]f no 
     settlement has been reached by the completion of accession 
     negotiations, the Council's decision on accession will be 
     made without the above being a precondition . . . [i]n this 
     the Council will take account of all relevant factors'';
       Whereas both the United States and the European Union in 
     their summit statement on the New Transatlantic Agenda of 
     June 14, 2001, pledge to continue to work together to support 
     the efforts of the United Nations Secretary General to 
     achieve a comprehensive settlement with respect to Cyprus in 
     full consideration of relevant United Nations Security 
     Council resolutions and international treaties;
       Whereas the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leadership began 
     direct talks on January 16, 2002, with the United Nations 
     Special Advisor in attendance and the European Council at the 
     Seville Conference in June 2002 called on the Greek and 
     Turkish Cypriot leaders to intensify and expedite their talks 
     in order to seize the unique opportunity to reach a 
     comprehensive settlement; and
       Whereas resolution of the Cyprus problem is also consistent 
     with American values, as enshrined in the rights guaranteed 
     by the Constitution of the United States, which guarantees 
     the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), [That it is the sense of Congress that--
       [(1) the unacceptable status quo on Cyprus must be ended 
     and the island and its people be reunited, in a bizonal, 
     bicommunal federal Cyprus, on the basis of United Nations 
     Security Council resolutions;
       [(2) the accession of Cyprus to the European Union would 
     act as a catalyst for the solution of the Cyprus problem 
     without the latter being a precondition for accession;
       [(3) membership of Cyprus to the European Union should be 
     strongly supported;
       [(4) all Cypriots be urged to support and encourage efforts 
     to bring Cyprus into the European Union; and
       [(5) the various agencies of the United States Government 
     should pursue vigorously and as an issue of high and urgent 
     priority new initiatives that will help promote and achieve 
     reunification, reconciliation, stability, and prosperity on 
     Cyprus.]
       That it is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) the current status quo on Cyprus must be ended and the 
     island and its people be reunited, in a bizonal, bicommunal 
     federal Cyprus, with full consideration of United Nations 
     Security Council resolutions and international treaties;
       (2) the direct and intensive negotiations between the Greek 
     and Turkish Cypriot leaders, which began in January 2002, and 
     which are continuing on a regular basis, have been most 
     welcome and are encouraged to continue until a comprehensive 
     settlement has been achieved;
       (3) while a successful resolution of the Cyprus problem 
     would facilitate the accession of Cyprus

[[Page S11329]]

     to the European Union, in the absence of such a resolution, 
     the accession of Cyprus to the European Union could act as a 
     further catalyst for the solution of the Cyprus problem 
     without the latter being a precondition for accession and 
     with all relevant factors being considered;
       (4) membership of the Republic of Cyprus in the European 
     Union should be strongly supported;
       (5) all Cypriots be urged to support and encourage efforts 
     to bring the Republic of Cyprus into the European Union; and
       (6) the various agencies of the United States Government in 
     support of United Nations efforts to facilitate a settlement 
     should pursue as an issue of high priority new initiatives 
     that will help promote and achieve reunification, 
     reconciliation, stability, and prosperity on Cyprus.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the substitute 
amendment to the concurrent resolution be agreed to; the concurrent 
resolution be agreed to, as amended; the amendment to the preamble be 
agreed to; the preamble, as amended, be agreed to; the motion to 
reconsider be laid upon the table; and that any statements relating 
thereto be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The committee amendment was agreed to.
  The concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 122), as amended, was agreed 
to.
  The amendment to the preamble was agreed to.
  The preamble, as amended, was agreed to.
  The concurrent resolution, as amended, with its preamble, as amended, 
reads as follows:

                            S. Con. Res. 122

       Whereas the current status quo on Cyprus remains 
     unacceptable and the reunification of Cyprus remains a 
     desirable foreign policy objective;
       Whereas a just and lasting resolution of the Cyprus 
     problem, in full consideration of United Nations Security 
     Council resolutions and international treaties, must 
     safeguard the security and fundamental rights of the 
     population of Cyprus, Greek-Cypriots and Turkish-Cypriots 
     alike;
       Whereas Cyprus is among the leading candidate countries for 
     accession to the European Union, in recognition of its 
     commitment to free markets, human rights, democracy, and the 
     rule of law;
       Whereas the European Union guarantees to all its citizens 
     the indivisible universal values of human dignity (supporting 
     fair and equal treatment of all), freedom (right to security, 
     marriage, family, among others), equality (celebrating 
     cultural, religious, and linguistic diversity), solidarity 
     (protecting workers' rights and providing social security), 
     citizens' rights (voting), and justice (holding a fair 
     trial);
       Whereas membership in the European Union will guarantee 
     each citizen of the Republic of Cyprus important legal, 
     civil, and human rights, as well as the means and legal 
     recourse necessary to secure the full application of these 
     fundamental individual rights, and to promote the respect of 
     cultural diversity and traditions;
       Whereas membership in the European Union will bring 
     significant benefits to both Greek-Cypriots and Turkish-
     Cypriots, including new economic opportunities, access to new 
     markets, a freer exchange of goods and services, balanced and 
     sustainable development as well as the free movement of 
     persons, goods, and services and capital;
       Whereas the European Council in its Summit Conclusions of 
     December 1999, in Helsinki, stated that ``a political 
     settlement [of the Cyprus problem] will facilitate the 
     accession of Cyprus to the European Union . . . [i]f no 
     settlement has been reached by the completion of accession 
     negotiations, the Council's decision on accession will be 
     made without the above being a precondition . . . [i]n this 
     the Council will take account of all relevant factors'';
       Whereas both the United States and the European Union in 
     their summit statement on the New Transatlantic Agenda of 
     June 14, 2001, pledge to continue to work together to support 
     the efforts of the United Nations Secretary General to 
     achieve a comprehensive settlement with respect to Cyprus in 
     full consideration of relevant United Nations Security 
     Council resolutions and international treaties;
       Whereas the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leadership began 
     direct talks on January 16, 2002, with the United Nations 
     Special Advisor in attendance and the European Council at the 
     Seville Conference in June 2002 called on the Greek and 
     Turkish Cypriot leaders to intensify and expedite their talks 
     in order to seize the unique opportunity to reach a 
     comprehensive settlement; and
       Whereas resolution of the Cyprus problem is also consistent 
     with American values, as enshrined in the rights guaranteed 
     by the Constitution of the United States, which guarantees 
     the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) the current status quo on Cyprus must be ended and the 
     island and its people be reunited, in a bizonal, bicommunal 
     federal Cyprus, with full consideration of United Nations 
     Security Council resolutions and international treaties;
       (2) the direct and intensive negotiations between the Greek 
     and Turkish Cypriot leaders, which began in January 2002, and 
     which are continuing on a regular basis, have been most 
     welcome and are encouraged to continue until a comprehensive 
     settlement has been achieved;
       (3) while a successful resolution of the Cyprus problem 
     would facilitate the accession of Cyprus to the European 
     Union, in the absence of such a resolution, the accession of 
     Cyprus to the European Union could act as a further catalyst 
     for the solution of the Cyprus problem without the latter 
     being a precondition for accession and with all relevant 
     factors being considered;
       (4) membership of the Republic of Cyprus in the European 
     Union should be strongly supported;
       (5) all Cypriots be urged to support and encourage efforts 
     to bring the Republic of Cyprus into the European Union; and
       (6) the various agencies of the United States Government in 
     support of United Nations efforts to facilitate a settlement 
     should pursue as an issue of high priority new initiatives 
     that will help promote and achieve reunification, 
     reconciliation, stability, and prosperity on Cyprus.

                          ____________________