[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 54 (Thursday, April 3, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E683]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   GREEK AND TURKISH CYPRIOTS ISSUES

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ROBERT WEXLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 3, 2003

  Mr. WEXLER. Mr. Speaker, as the ranking Democrat on the Europe 
Subcommittee, I believe my colleagues in Congress will be interested in 
the following letter sent by the Turkish Cypriot Leader Rauf Denktas to 
the Greek Cypriot Leader Tassas Papadopoulos on April 2, 2003. I am 
hopeful that Mr. Denktas's letter and its content will be a catalyst 
for renewed dialogue between Greek and Turkish Cypriots and a positive 
step toward a comprehensive resolution to their long-standing issues.
  In this letter, Mr. Denktas provides a detailed proposal to lift all 
overseas trade, transport, travel and cultural activities from both 
parts of Cyprus. He calls for freedom of movement to be facilitated 
between the two sides and restrictions on the movement of tourists to 
be lifted as well. His measures also include allowing Greek Cypriot 
refugees to return to the Greek Cypriot sector of Famagusta. Finally, 
Mr. Denktas expressed his willingness to meet with Mr. Papadopoulos to 
discuss the core issues of a comprehensive settlement with the 
objective of reaching an agreement between Greek and Turkish Cypriots.
  While I understand that the long-standing Cyprus issue cannot be 
solved without great sacrifice by both sides, it is incredibly 
important that the United States and the international community work 
together to resolve this issue. Please know, I remain firmly committed 
to helping both Greek and Turkish Cypriots overcome obstacles and bring 
about a lasting peace for future generations.
                                                    April 2, 2003.
       Dear Mr. Papadopoulos: Since our return from the 
     Netherlands on 11 March 2003, I have been trying to reassess 
     in depth the negotiating process resulting in the stalemate 
     at The Hague.
       Based on our re-evaluation and the responses given to the 
     UN Secretary-General's proposals by both sides, I am now 
     convinced more than ever that we have for too long overlooked 
     the significance of the socio-psychological dimension of the 
     problem, and especially the deep crisis of confidence between 
     the two sides.
       The Turkish Cypriot side sincerely wishes a lasting 
     settlement to the forty year-old question of Cyprus. In 
     achieving a sustainable and viable settlement that would be 
     acceptable to both sides, the first meaningful step should, 
     without doubt, be the improvement of the political 
     environment within which we could allow for the evolution of 
     a working relationship between the two sides through the 
     building up of trust and confidence. This would enable us to 
     resolve pending issues, thus preparing the ground for a 
     comprehensive settlement. The island is, no doubt, the common 
     home of the two co-owner peoples in Cyprus. In this context, 
     I wish to share with you the following ideas and suggestions 
     which I believe could initiate a process of dialogue and 
     consultation leading to a working relationship between us. 
     This would greatly enhance the prospects for and paved the 
     way to a mutually acceptable comprehensive settlement based 
     on the political equality of the two sides and bring tangible 
     benefits to both parties.
       (i) As a first step, the fenced area of Varosha south of 
     Dhimoktrathias street, including the area extending to the UN 
     Buffer Zone, will be transferred to the Greek Cypriot control 
     to be opened for resettlement.
       (ii) Parallel to this, all restrictions on overseas trade, 
     transport, travel and cultural and sportive activities from 
     or to both parts of Cyprus will be lifted. I am convinced 
     that Turkey and Greece will also positively respond to this 
     by removing the restrictions which they apply to the Greek 
     Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot sides respectively. We shall 
     invite the UN and EU to acknowledge and give effect to these 
     arrangements.
       (iii) The freedom of movement will be facilitated between 
     the two sides, subject only to minimal procedures. The 
     restrictions on the movement of tourists will also be lifted.
       (iv) Steps will be taken gradually for the normalization of 
     the flow of goods between the two parties on the island. 
     Cooperation shall be also encouraged between the institutions 
     of both sides to identify and develop joint projects.
       (v) The Turkish Cypriot side will lift the measures 
     regarding the movement of UNFICYP of July 2000.
       (vi) A bilateral Reconciliation Committee will be 
     established with the objective of promoting understanding, 
     tolerance and mutual respect between the two parties. This 
     Committee will make specific recommendations for promoting 
     bilateral contacts and projects. These ideas and suggestions 
     constitute a package and should be regarded as an integrated 
     whole. The acceptance and implementation of this package will 
     neither prejudice our respective positions, nor will it be a 
     substitute to a final settlement. I am prepared to discuss 
     with you the above points and their modalities with the aim 
     of initiating a cooperative relationship. In doing this, we 
     could benefit from the assistance of the UN and the EU. These 
     measures, I believe, would bring about a positive climate to 
     the island and to our region. On the understanding of the 
     above, I am also ready to talk with you the core issues of 
     the comprehensive settlement and matters related to EU 
     membership with the objective of reaching a mutually 
     satisfactory conclusion. As we both supported the good-
     offices mission, I am taking the liberty of sending a copy of 
     this letter to the UN Secretary-General.
           Sincerely,
     Rauf R. Denktas.

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