[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 117 (Friday, July 20, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1579]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  PEACE FOR GREEK AND TURKISH CYPRIOTS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ED WHITFIELD

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 19, 2007

  Mr. WHITFIELD. Madam Speaker, I rise today with the hope that the 
Island of Cyprus will soon be reunified, and with resolve of her 
citizens and the help from the international community, both the Greek 
and Turkish Cypriots will know tranquility.
  Tragically, thirty-three years ago, violence and bloodshed ripped 
Cyprus apart, dividing the island. Although it is peaceful today, the 
Greek and Turkish Cypriots are still separated to the detriment of many 
Turkish Cypriots, who have been deprived of economic and social 
advancements.
  Unfortunately, decades of negotiations under the auspices of the 
United Nations and involving motherlands Greece and Turkey, have 
produced no lasting agreement. There was hope in April 2004 when the 
comprehensive, U.N.-sponsored ``Annan Plan,'' was put to referenda. To 
the dismay of the international community, this plan failed when the 
Greek Cypriots overwhelmingly voted against it, despite the fact that 
the Turkish Cypriots overwhelmingly voted in favor of it.
  After the unsuccessful adoption of the ``Annan Plan,'' Turkish 
Cypriots called for action to discuss the situation. It was then that 
Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat and Greek Cypriot leader Tassos 
Papadopoulos met on July 3rd and 8th, 2006, and agreed to hold further 
meetings based on a ``Set of Principles'' aimed at the unification of 
Cyprus. 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 in order to help 
the parties build trust and forge an atmosphere conducive to progress 
and prosperity. It is our sincere hope that the spirit of 
reconciliation and goodwill generated in recent times will continue to 
be promoted by all parties involved.
  Madam 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 by supporting the ``Annan Plan.'' 
Despite their continued commitment to reunify Cyprus, Turkish Cypriots 
are still awaiting the fulfillment of the promises made to them by the 
international community 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 a diplomatic 
compromise in Cyprus to ensure a bright future for Greek and Turkish 
Cypriots.

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