[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 53 (Thursday, April 22, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E630-E631]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   A MESSAGE TO THE PEOPLE OF CYPRUS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 22, 2004

  Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the 
upcoming elections on the Annan Plan in Cyprus to be held on Saturday 
April 24, 2004.
  I wish to make it clear that there should be no pressure on the 
outcome of these elections. If the Greek or Turkish Cypriots reject the 
Annan Plan, then negotiations will ultimately continue. This vote will 
not be the last chance to have a reunited Cyprus.
  The goal of the process must be to attain a just and lasting 
solution, not a rushed solution. I know the people of Cyprus are being 
made to feel that this is the only way to achieve a solution, but that 
is not true. This is the way to achieve a pressured solution. In the 
end, it may be too much to ask that concerns that have been unresolved 
for 30 years be effectively settled in a process that lasted less than 
3 months.
  I encourage each and every eligible Cypriot voter to cast a free 
ballot on Saturday. Please vote for your beliefs, not the beliefs of 
others. The great privilege of free and fair elections is that they are 
just that, free and fair. Vote freely and for what you think is fair. 
If that is `no', do not believe that this is the end of negotiations. 
They will continue, because a lasting and equitable solution for the 
people of Cyprus, and the goal of a united Cyprus, is too important to 
abandon, now or ever.
  Mr. Speaker, I myself have very serious reservations about the Annan 
Plan that I have expressed in writing to both General Secretary Annan 
and Secretary Colin Powell. I ask unanimous consent that these letters 
be introduced into the Record immediately following my remarks.
  Regardless of my personal reservations, it is the people of Cyprus 
who will vote on Saturday. I hope every Cypriot realizes that they need 
to vote for what they believe. They must understand that, while we are 
interested in the outcome, there can be no pressure on them. We will 
accept any outcome so long as the elections are free and fair.
  Have no fear, people of Cyprus, your friends will never abandon you.


                                                U.S. Congress,

                                   Washington, DC, March 23, 2004.
     Hon. Colin L. Powell,
     Secretary of State, U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC.
       Dear Secretary Powell: We want to thank you for your active 
     engagement in the issues and negotiations that concern the 
     reunification of the Republic of Cyprus. As you know, 
     negotiations between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots are 
     currently being conducted under the framework outlined by UN 
     Secretary General Kofi Annan on February 13, 2004.
       While we applaud both Greek and Turkish Cypriots for 
     agreeing to negotiate the important issues affecting the 
     future of a reunited Cyprus, we believe the timeframe 
     outlined by the Annan Plan is too compressed. Under the Annan 
     Plan, there is a deadline for the people of Cyprus to vote on 
     a referendum concerning the future of Cyprus on April 20, 
     2004.
       As you know, the people of Cyprus have been struggling with 
     issues related to the division and reunification of Cyprus 
     for 30 years. It is difficult for us to believe that concerns 
     that have been unresolved for 30 years can be effectively and 
     permanently settled in negotiations that are scheduled to be 
     completed in less than three months.
       It is our belief that a solution should come through 
     comprehensive negotiations that do not force the citizens of 
     Cyprus to vote on a referendum that may be perceived as an 
     ultimatum. It is also our firm belief that the people of 
     Cyprus will not approve any plan they are pressured to 
     accept.
       It is in the best interest of a permanent, peaceful 
     solution for Cyprus that the important negotiations between 
     Greek and Turkish Cypriots be given an adequate amount of 
     time to decide these issues. Mr. Secretary, we respectfully 
     request that you use your influence to ensure that the people 
     of Cyprus are given a longer, more appropriate, schedule in 
     order to ensure that all issues affecting the reunification 
     of Cyprus are settled to the satisfaction of all concerned. 
     The reunification of Cyprus should be settled through 
     comprehensive negotiations that do not impose an arbitrary 
     time constraint on the affected parties.
       We appreciate the support that you have provided to the 
     efforts of the UN Secretary General in resuming the Cyprus 
     talks and your personal commitment and involvement in the 
     process. We urge you to continue to

[[Page E631]]

     use your diplomatic abilities for reaching a just, functional 
     and viable settlement in Cyprus.
           Sincerely,
     Lincoln Diaz-Balart.
     Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.
     Mario Diaz-Balart.
                                  ____



                                                U.S. Congress,

                                   Washington, DC, March 19, 2004.
     Hon. Colin Powell,
     Secretary of State, Department of State, Washington, DC.
       Dear Secretary Powell: We are writing to express our 
     concerns on certain key issues, which are currently being 
     discussed under the auspices of the United Nations (UN) as 
     part of the Annan plan, for the reunification of Cyprus.
       It is with great satisfaction that we learned of the 
     resumption of the direct UN sponsored Cyprus talks. The 
     commitment of the parties to negotiate within a specific time 
     framework and on the basis of the Annan plan with the aim of 
     reuniting the island before May 1, 2004, is of immense 
     importance. It is our sincere wish and hope that Cyprus will 
     join the European Union as a reunited country.
       There are certain provisions in the current Annan plan that 
     could render it unworkable and should be revised. We feel 
     that the United States must help the UN reach a fair and 
     viable agreement that will lead to a strong endorsement by 
     the people of Cyprus. We must secure for the people of Cyprus 
     a democratic system of governance based on the rule of law 
     and the ideals that guide our own democracy.
       It is our firm belief that in order to achieve this goal 
     the Administration must promote, within the framework of the 
     Cyprus talks, the following proposals:
       (1) It is absolutely necessary that all legal obligations 
     of the guarantor powers (Turkey, Greece, UK), including the 
     security aspects, be in place prior to the two simultaneous 
     referenda that will be held on April 20 by the two 
     communities in Cyprus. In addition, all federal laws and no 
     national agreements have to be completed and agreed before 
     the referenda. The people of Cyprus must have a completed 
     accord to consider so they fully understand what they are 
     voting to approve our disapprove. Furthermore, the federal 
     government of the United Cyprus Republic will have to be able 
     to function immediately and effectively after the new state 
     of affairs is established. It is, therefore, essential that 
     the final accord be readily implemented and self-executing.
       (2) The Annan plan proposes a highly complicated system for 
     resolving property issues that may force rightful owners to 
     give up their property rights. It is essential that the 
     agreed system for resolving property issues be consistent 
     with the European Convention on Human Rights and 
     international law.
       (3) The agreed number of settlers from Turkey that will 
     remain in Cyprus must be clearly defined. This number should 
     be as low as possible and a fair immigration structure should 
     be developed.
       (4) During the transitional period, the land that will be 
     returned to the Greek Cypriot side must come under the 
     control of the United Nations so that the process of retuning 
     this land and the resettlement of the refugees will be 
     irreversible.
       (5) The Annan plan calls for the full demilitarization of 
     both, Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot sides, so it makes no 
     sense for troops from Greece and Turkey to remain in Cyprus 
     indefinitely. The U.S. should insist that security 
     arrangements in Cyprus be enhanced through an enlarged UN 
     force mandated by the UN Security Council.
       The achievement of a genuine resolution to the Cyprus issue 
     is in the interest of the United States and should therefore 
     be energetically pursued. As you have stated, a lasting peace 
     will benefit the people of Cyprus, Greece, and Turkey and at 
     the same time serves American interests in the region. The 
     division of Cyprus and its people must come to an end once 
     and for all. A comprehensive settlement appears possible and 
     Cyprus, a good friend and strong ally of the United States, 
     deserves a bright future as a reunited country in the 
     European Union. The United States should help to make this 
     happen.
       We appreciate the support that you have provided to the 
     efforts of the UN Secretary General in resuming the Cyprus 
     talks and your personal commitment and involvement in the 
     process. We urge the administration to continue to use all 
     its diplomatic leverage for reaching a just, functional and 
     viable settlement in Cyprus.
           Sincerely yours,
     Michael Bilirakis,
     Carolyn Maloney,
     Ileana Ros-Lehtinen,
     Lincoln Diaz-Balart,
     Robert Menendez,
     George Radanovich,
       Members of Congress.
                                  ____



                                                U.S. Congress,

                                   Washington, DC, March 19, 2004.
     Hon. Kofi Annan,
     Secretary General, United Nations, New York, NY.
       Dear Secretary Annan: We are writing to express our 
     concerns on certain key issues which are currently being 
     discussed under the auspices of the United Nations (UN) as 
     part of the Annan plan for the reunification of Cyprus.
       It is with great satisfaction that we learned of the 
     resumption of the direct UN sponsored Cyprus talks. The 
     commitment of the parties to negotiate within a specific time 
     framework and on the basis of the Annan plan with the aim of 
     reuniting the island before May 1, 2004, is of immense 
     importance. It is our sincere wish and hope that Cyprus will 
     join the European Union as a reunited country.
       There are certain provisions in the current Annan plan that 
     could render it unworkable and should be revised. We feel 
     that reaching a fair and viable agreement will lead to a 
     strong endorsement by the people of Cyprus. We must secure 
     for the people of Cyprus a democratic system of governance 
     based on the rule of law and the ideals that guide our own 
     democracy.
       It is our firm belief that in order to achieve this goal 
     your office must promote, within the framework of the Cyprus 
     talks, the following proposals:

       (1) It is absolutely necessary that all legal obligations 
     of the guarantor powers (Turkey, Greece, UK), including the 
     security aspects, be in place prior to the two simultaneous 
     referenda that will be held on April 20 by the two 
     communities in Cyprus. In addition, all federal laws and 
     international agreements have to be completed and agreed 
     before the referenda. The people of Cyprus must have a 
     completed accord to consider so they fully understand what 
     they are voting to approve or disapprove. Furthermore, the 
     federal government of the United Cyprus Republic will have to 
     be able to function immediately and effectively after the new 
     state of affairs is established. It is, therefore, essential 
     that the final accord be readily implemented and self-
     executing.
       (2) The Annan plan proposes a highly complicated system for 
     resolving property issues that may force rightful owners to 
     give up their property rights. It is essential that the 
     agreed system for resolving property issues be consistent 
     with the European Convention on Human Rights and 
     international law.
       (3) The agreed number of settlers from Turkey that will 
     remain in Cyprus must be clearly defined. This number should 
     be as low as possible and a fair immigration structure should 
     be developed.
       (4) During the transitional period, the land that will be 
     returned to the Greek Cypriot side must come under the 
     control of the United Nations so that the process of 
     returning this land and the resettlement of the refugees will 
     be irreversible.
       (5) The Annan plan calls for the full demilitarization of 
     both, Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot sides, so it makes no 
     sense for troops from Greece and Turkey to remain in Cyprus 
     indefinitely. We believe that security arrangements in Cyprus 
     be enhanced through an enlarged UN force mandated by the UN 
     Security Council.

       This historic opportunity for solving the Cyprus issue must 
     be energetically pursued. We believe that a lasting peace 
     will benefit the people of Cyprus, Greece, and Turkey. The 
     division of Cyprus and its people must come to an end once 
     and for all. A comprehensive settlement appears possible and 
     Cyprus deserves a bright future as a reunited country in the 
     European Union.
       We appreciate your efforts in the resumption of the Cyprus 
     talks. We also welcome your personal commitment and 
     involvement in the process. We are sure that you are 
     committed to reaching a just, functional and viable 
     settlement in Cyprus.
           Sincerely yours,
     Michael Bilirakis,
     Carolyn Maloney,
     Ileana Ros-Lehtinen,
     Lincoln Diaz-Balart,
     Robert Menendez,
     George Radanovich,
       Members of Congress.

                          ____________________