[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 97 (Friday, July 21, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1487]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       GREEK AND TURKISH CYPRIOTS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ED WHITFIELD

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 20, 2006

  Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I, with my colleague Congressman Wexler 
of Florida, would like to submit a statement regarding the current 
situation on the island of Cyprus.
  As both Greek and Turkish Cypriots reflect on the events that took 
place more than 30 years ago, there is good news coming from the 
divided island of Cyprus. After a hiatus of more than 2 years since the 
unsuccessful referenda of April 2004, in which the Turkish Cypriots 
overwhelmingly voted in favor of a U.N. plan for a settlement, while 
the Greek Cypriots overwhelmingly voted against it, the two Cypriot 
leaders, Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat and Greek Cypriot 
leader Tasos Papadopoulos, met under U.N. auspices on July 3 and 8, 
respectively, and agreed to hold further meetings at the technical, as 
well as political levels, on the basis of a ``Set of Principles.''
  Among these principles aimed at ``the unification of Cyprus based on 
bi-zonal, bicommunal federation and political equality,'' is a 
commitment to the creation of the ``right atmosphere'' in order for the 
process to be successful; the enactment of ``confidence building 
measures'' to that end, and putting an end to the ``blame game.''
  The meeting of the two leaders and the agreement they reached have 
been welcomed by the international community, including the United 
States, the European Union and others.
  It is important that this new and positive spirit demonstrated by the 
two Cypriot leaders be supported by the United States Congress in order 
to help the parties build trust and forge an atmosphere conducive to 
peace. It is our sincere hope that the spirit of reconciliation and 
goodwill generated during the recent meetings will continue to be 
promoted by all parties involved.
  Mr. Speaker, as the process moves forward it is also important to 
recognize the resolve of the Turkish Cypriot people who have 
demonstrated time after time an unwavering commitment to reconciliation 
as well as remarkable flexibility both in the 2004 referenda and after. 
Despite their continued commitment to reunify Cyprus, Turkish Cypriots 
are still awaiting the fulfillment of the promises made to them by the 
international community before and after the referenda that their 
isolation would be lifted. We believe that both the Turkish Cypriots 
and Turkey, whose support was crucial in securing the ``yes'' vote of 
the Turkish Cypriots in the 2004 referenda, should be rewarded, not 
penalized, in order for the process to move forward toward a lasting 
settlement.
  More than ever before, it is important to support the recent progress 
made in Cyprus and look towards a brighter future for Greek and Turkish 
Cypriots.

                          ____________________