[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 45 (Thursday, March 20, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E542]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      THE FAILURE OF CYPRUS TALKS

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                         HON. STEVEN R. ROTHMAN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 20, 2003

  Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I was very disheartened to learn about the 
failure last week of the United Nations sponsored peace talks regarding 
a just and lasting settlement in Cyprus. It is apparent that while the 
Greek-Cypriot people and their leaders are ready for a peaceful 
settlement to this longstanding problem, the Turkish-Cypriot leaders, 
and possibly the leaders of Turkey as well, are not committed to a 
peaceful settlement at this time.
  The commitment of the United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan to 
resolving the Cyprus dispute is notable, especially considering the 
impending crisis in Iraq. Mr. Annan, in good faith, presented a plan to 
both sides that required concessions from each party. Mr. Tassos 
Papadopoulos, the newly elected President of the Republic of Cyprus, 
was prepared to submit the United Nations plan to the Greek-Cypriots as 
a referendum, even though he was required to make unpopular concessions 
in order to achieve what was believed to be a workable plan.
  Mr. Rauf Denktash, the leader of the Turkish-Cypriots, on the other 
hand, refused to submit the United Nations plan to the Turkish-Cypriots 
as a referendum. This is yet another case of the Greek-Cypriots 
negotiating in good faith, whereby they continue to demonstrate their 
dedication and commitment to a peaceful resolution to the division of 
Cyprus, and Mr. Denktash is not willing to negotiate.
  In the United States, I believe that we must continue our efforts to 
improve the dialogue for the reunification of Cyprus. I strongly urge 
Mr. Denktash, and other Turkish leaders, to view this recent breakdown 
of talks as a lost opportunity that cannot occur again. I also urge the 
Administration to pressure Mr. Denktash and other Turkish leaders to 
re-evaluate their opposition to a unified Cyprus, especially in light 
of Turkey's desire to become a member of the European Union.
  Mr. Speaker, the people of Cyprus deserve to have their voices heard 
about the future of their country and their people, and I sincerely 
hope that this will happen in the near future.

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