[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 60 (Saturday, April 12, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E784-E785]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR RENEWED EFFORT TO FIND PEACEFUL, JUST, AND 
                LASTING SETTLEMENT TO THE CYPRUS PROBLEM

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 9, 2003

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in 
expressing my support

[[Page E785]]

for renewed efforts to find a peaceful, just, and lasting settlement to 
the Cyprus problem. Such a resolution is consonant with American values 
of promoting stability, freedom, and democracy around the globe.
  I strongly support a unified Cyprus. I am disappointed that the 
recent historic opportunity to resolve the Cyprus issue has failed, 
despite the hard work of United Nations Secretary Kofi Annan over the 
last several years, to bring the parties together and to facilitate an 
agreement.
  I am disturbed that today, some 35,000 Turkish soldiers, armed with 
the latest weapons, are still stationed in the occupied area of Cyprus, 
making it, according to the United Nations Secretary-General, one of 
the most militarized regions in the world. At an estimated cost of $300 
million annually, Turkey continues to defy the international community 
and the U.N. resolutions with its policies towards Cyprus. Eighty-five 
thousand Turks have been brought over from Turkey to colonize the 
occupied area with the aim of changing the demography of the island and 
controlling the political situation. The Greek Cypriot community that 
remains enclaved within the occupied villages continues to live under 
conditions of oppression, harassment, and deprivation.
  Mr. Speaker, the United States has a national interest in fostering 
peace and stability in the eastern Mediterranean region. We as a Nation 
cannot continue to pretend our NATO partner is not in clear violation 
of international law for its continued illegal occupation of its 
neighbor.
  We in the United States pride ourselves for our respect for 
fundamental freedoms. Human rights norms are the cornerstone of U.S. 
foreign policy. It is time, Mr. Speaker, for Turkey to end its 
longstanding occupation of Cyprus.
  Despite recent setbacks, I am still optimistic that the Cyprus 
situation can be peacefully and amicably resolved.

                          ____________________