[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 102 (Wednesday, July 21, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1441]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   THE TURKISH INVASION OF CYPRUS, AND DEMILITARIZATION OF THE ISLAND

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT E. ANDREWS

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 21, 2004

  Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, July 20, 2004, marked the 30-
year anniversary of Turkey's invasion and occupation of Cyprus. Since 
1974, United States policy on the Cyprus problem has been unsuccessful 
in its efforts to influence an agreeable resolution to this division. 
On May 1, 2004, Cyprus became a member of the European Union of 
families as a divided and occupied nation, its northern part being 
under illegal Turkish military occupation. The potential reunification 
of Cyprus is at a critical juncture. The Greek Cypriot ``no'' vote of 
76 percent and the Turkish Cypriot ``yes'' vote of 65 percent is strong 
evidence of the unfair and unbalanced nature of the current version of 
the Annan Plan. If the yes and no votes had been close to the 50-50 
mark, it might be argued that the plan is fair and balanced. At this 
point, however, no reasonable person can make such an argument. 
Accordingly, the United States and the United Nations must re-examine 
the key provisions of the Annan Plan in an effort to remedy the 
deficiencies that now plague the plan and obstruct the potential 
reunification of Cyprus.
  One deficiency of the Annan Plan is its failure to demilitarize 
Cyprus. There is no need for Turkish or Greek soldiers to remain in 
Cyprus. The United States should insist on full demilitarization now. 
The final Annan Plan actually provides for the permanent presence of 
650 Turkish troops on Cyprus with the right of ``intervention'' by 
Turkey, a guarantor power under the 1959-1960 London Zurich agreements. 
With Cyprus now a full member of the EU, there is no need for Britain, 
Turkey or Greece to remain as guarantor powers.

  Quite inexplicably, the Annan Plan does not provide for the immediate 
demilitarization of Cyprus. It provides for the gradual withdrawal of 
Turkey's 35,000/40,000 troops over 14 years with 650 remaining 
permanently. Earlier versions of the Plan did not authorize any Turkish 
troops to remain.
  There is no security problem for the Turkish Cypriots. The opening of 
the Green Line for crossings in Nicosia since April 2003 has allowed 
Greek and Turkish Cypriots to interact on a regular basis, and this 
period has passed without major incident.
  As long ago as July 25, 1978, former Republican Senator Bob Dole 
proposed demilitarization on the Senate floor during the Senate debate 
on the amendment, which passed, to remove the remaining arms embargo on 
Turkey. Dole voted against lifting the embargo and noted that 
``[n]egotiations between the two communities have remained stalemated 
over the presence of the Turkish occupation force.'' He stated:

       The great need for demilitarization of Cyprus, involving 
     withdrawal of both Greek and Turkish forces, must be 
     stressed. . . . Once demilitarization of Cyprus is achieved, 
     then the intercommunal talks between the Greek and Turkish 
     Cypriot communities over the territorial and political 
     settlement will proceed much more smoothly. This must be the 
     goal of all parties: to achieve demilitarization of Cyprus as 
     soon as possible.

  It is beyond dispute that this aspect of the Annan Plan would 
actually serve to decrease stability and security on the island because 
it fails to fully demilitarize Cyprus at the same time that it also 
affirms intervention rights for Turkey. These provisions of the Annan 
Plan must be changed if the plan is to be accepted by both parties, and 
carried out to successfully achieve a peaceful, unified Cyprus.

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