[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 109 (Monday, July 20, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1849-E1850]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            THE CONTINUING SITUATION ON THE ISLAND OF CYPRUS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 20, 2009

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
bring renewed attention to the ongoing situation on the island of 
Cyprus.

[[Page E1850]]

  On May 23, 2008, the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat, and 
the Greek Cypriot leader, Demetris Christofias, reaffirmed their 
commitment to a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political 
equality as defined by relevant Security Council resolutions. This will 
include a federal government with a single international personality as 
well as a Turkish Cypriot constituent state and a Greek Cypriot 
constituent state, both of equal status.
  If the process to reach a settlement is derailed, I'm concerned that 
it will take years to resuscitate negotiations. The issues facing the 
two communities are difficult, but they are not insurmountable.
  Five years ago, the inhabitants of the island participated in a 
referendum put forward by the United Nations under Secretary General 
Kofi Annan. The Annan Plan, to which it is often referred, foresaw a 
bi-communal, bi-zonal federation based on political equality. 
Unfortunately, it was overwhelmingly rejected by Greek Cypriots in 2004 
despite vast support by Turkish Cypriots.
  The Annan Plan was the product of intense negotiations conducted 
under the auspices of the United Nations Secretary General between the 
Turkish Cypriots, Greek Cypriots, Turkey, and Greece. It was the first 
plan since the conflict began to be submitted for public approval. In 
addition, it struck a fair compromise between the two sides on the 
island and was supported by both the United States and the European 
Union. Had it been accepted, it would have brought about a resolution 
to this longstanding separation of the island and contributed to 
political stability in this region of the world.
  I was hoping the outcome would meet the fundamental interests of the 
parties, including economic and political security for all Cypriots, 
and put an end to the island's division. However, with the rejection of 
the Annan Plan by the Greek Cypriots, I must ask my fellow colleagues 
to join me in continuing to work with good faith and determination to 
build a brighter future for all the people of Cyprus. The international 
community should keep the promises made in 2004 to end the isolation of 
the Turkish Cypriots, given their support for a negotiated settlement.
  Madam Speaker, the leaders on both sides of this conflict will 
require a strong political will to overcome the difficult issues that 
the process to reconciliation necessitates. The United States should do 
all it can to support this process and avoid any steps which would 
undermine the leaders of the various parties.

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