[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 110 (Monday, July 26, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1417-E1418]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                EFFORTS TO REACH A SETTLEMENT ON CYPRUS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. STEVE COHEN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 26, 2010

  Mr. COHEN. Madam Speaker, I am encouraged that the newly elected Dr. 
Dervis Eroglu, President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, 
has, like his predecessor, expressed his commitment for a ``just and 
lasting comprehensive settlement through the ongoing negotiations'' 
under UN auspices for a Cyprus settlement.
  The Cyprus problem started not in 1974, but in December 1963, after 
the 1960 Partnership Republic of Cyprus was destroyed by a Greek-backed 
coup. The UN Peace Keeping Force, UNFICYP was stationed on the island 
on March 4, 1964, but was unable to prevent inter-communal violence 
which erupted in 1967 and 1974.
  The embargoes on the Turkish Cypriot side existing since 1963 are 
especially unacceptable given the fact that it was the Turkish Cypriot 
people who overwhelmingly in 2004 voted to adopt the Annan Plan to end 
the division of the island. The Greek Cypriots, who voted ``no'' on the 
referendum three to one, was rewarded with European Union membership, 
thereby further isolating the Turkish Cypriots.
  Although the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the 
Organization of Islamic Conference adopted resolutions calling for the 
lifting of restrictions on the Turkish Cypriots, their situation has 
not changed. This, even after the European Council of Foreign Ministers 
on April 26 invited the Commission ``to bring forward comprehensive 
proposals. . .to put an end to the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot 
community and to facilitate the reunification of Cyprus by encouraging 
the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot Community.''
  The Cyprus dispute has a great impact, not just on the Island, but 
across Europe and

[[Page E1418]]

throughout the international community. The island's situation remains 
a source of contention between NATO allies, Turkey and Greece. 
Additionally, past negotiations have impacted the United Kingdom, the 
United Nations, and the United States. Therefore, I believe a swift 
resolution should be encouraged by the United States.

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