[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15742]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                            FUTURE OF CYPRUS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 22, 2008

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, many of my 
colleagues have supported a settlement of the Cyprus issue for decades. 
They have come to the floor and urged Turkish and Greek Cypriots to 
overcome the difficulties and reach an agreement regarding the future 
of the island.
  On July 1, 2008, Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias and 
Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat met in a positive and 
cooperative atmosphere. At this meeting, the two leaders reviewed the 
progress of the Working Groups and Technical Committees, and, 
momentously, agreed in principle on the issue of a single sovereignty 
and citizenship. The Cypriot leaders will meet again on July 25 to 
undertake a final review of preparations for full-fledged negotiations.
  This is not the first time there has been cause for hope. After four 
and a half years of negotiations and numerous failed attempts, a United 
Nations Comprehensive Settlement Plan was completed on March 31, 2004. 
The final hurdle was two separate, simultaneous referenda to be held on 
both sides of the island on April 24, 2004.
  Turkish Cypriots approved the plan by 65 percent, while their Greek 
Cypriot counterparts rejected it by 76 percent.
  The ironic outcome was that the Greek Cypriots, having turned down a 
peaceful settlement, became full member of the European Union, while 
the Turkish Cypriots were excluded, further isolating the North.
  Congress should evenhandedly support these developments, and refrain 
from taking any actions which would disrupt the process. I congratulate 
both leaders on this important breakthrough and urge them to continue 
the process which will provide a bright future for the peoples of 
Cyprus.

                          ____________________