[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 111 (Tuesday, July 27, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1433-E1434]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       STOP DISTORTING HISTORY AND WORK FOR REAL PEACE ON CYPRUS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DAN BURTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 27, 2010

  Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Madam Speaker, Monday, July 20, 2010 marked 
the 36th anniversary of the day in 1974 that Turkey intervened to stop 
an ethnic cleansing campaign against Turkish Cypriots by militant Greek 
Cypriots. As usual, a number of my colleagues have come to the floor of 
this Chamber over the last few days and weeks to lament the so-called 
``invasion'' of Cyprus by Turkey. And as usual every year I come down 
to the floor to set the record straight and ask my colleagues to stop 
perpetuating revisionist history that attempts to lay all the blame for 
the ills of Cyprus at the doorstep of Turkish Cypriots and Turkey; to 
ask them to lay aside the inflammatory rhetoric; and to ask them to 
actually work to bring peace to this troubled island.
  So, once again, here I am but I am not going to focus on the past--I 
believe an objective evaluation of the history of Cyprus proves that 
the crisis on Cyprus is significantly more complex than the ``blame 
Turkey'' special interest groups would like people to believe. Instead, 
I am going to focus on the future. While the Cyprus dispute is between 
Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, it has a much greater impact on 
the global community. Over the past few decades this dispute has 
involved not only the two peoples on the island, but also Turkey, 
Greece, the United Kingdom, the United States, the United Nations, and 
the European Union. Moreover, Turkey's membership to the European 
Union, which the United States enthusiastically supports, is 
unfortunately being impacted because of the situation in Cyprus.
  All of us in this chamber, Republicans and Democrats, want to see 
peace and prosperity come to all the people of Cyprus. In fact, in 
2003, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed House 
Resolution H. Res. 165 urging support for the U.N. backed Annan Plan--
which proposed the creation of a new bizonal, bicommunal state. 
Unfortunately, the Annan Plan collapsed in 2004, because Greek Cypriots 
opposed the referendum which would have approved the plan.
  Although Turkish Cypriots overwhelmingly supported the referendum, 
the Greek Cypriots became EU members, and despite promises made to 
Turkish Cypriots, they remain under international isolation despite 
their positive efforts. To their credit though, Turkish Cypriots 
continue to seek a settlement to the issue. This is a testament to 
their hope for the future.
  In September 2008, Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Christofias and 
Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat began a positive and concerted 
effort to reach some type of acceptable solution. From all reports, 
over the last two years, the two men have been able to reach a number 
of ``understandings'' regarding so-called ``convergences.''
  However, on April 18, 2010, through a democratic process Turkish 
Cypriot voters elected a new President, Dr. Dervis Eroglu of the 
National Unity Party (UBP). Almost immediately the ``blame Turkey'' 
special interest groups began screaming that the change in Turkish 
Cypriot Leadership from Talat to Eroglu would lead to a period of 
retrenchment with future negotiations dominated by harder-line views. 
Once again, though, the ``blame Turkey'' crowd was wrong. Since taking 
office, Dr. Eroglu has reassured everyone of his commitment for a just 
and lasting comprehensive settlement through the ongoing negotiations, 
under the auspices of U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon.
  The first round of the new talks was held on May 26, 2010, and 
continued briefly on June 3rd and again on June 15th. Four additional 
sessions have been scheduled through the end of July. Are negotiations 
proceeding as rapidly and as smoothly as everyone would like; no, but 
progress is still being made. But, I believe that we are really on the 
cusp of a breakthrough that could lead to a fair and lasting peace on 
Cyprus; a peace where the two parties on the island enjoy political 
equality.

[[Page E1434]]

  The United States has long maintained a position of strong support 
for a negotiated settlement. This position has been reaffirmed by the 
Obama Administration and I urge the Administration to continue to take 
an active role in the efforts to reach a mutually agreed upon 
resolution.
  If the Administration can keep the sides talking; if the ``blame 
Turkey'' groups here in the United States can end the ``blame game'' 
and redirect their misspent energies towards the real work of reshaping 
Cyprus into a Cyprus that respects human rights and the fundamental 
freedoms for all Cypriots; and if the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish 
Cypriots can continue to demonstrate political will and negotiate in 
good faith for the future of all Cypriots; I am hopeful for the future 
of Cyprus.

                          ____________________