[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13176]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        THE SITUATION IN CYPRUS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 2, 2013

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to address the 
House for one minute and to revise and extend my remarks.
  There is much happening in Cyprus. Turkish Cypriots completed their 
elections on Sunday, July 28, and a new government must now be formed.
  I congratulate them for this exercise in the democratic process, 
which has been a major focus on the northern part of the island. 
Meanwhile, the Greek Cypriot government has been going through a period 
of economic turmoil and restructuring that has dominated public debate.
  It is my hope that when matters settle down in the months ahead, the 
two sides will be able to resume productive reunification talks that 
resolve longstanding issues about the structure of government and the 
quality of life on the island of Cyprus.
  From March 2008 through May 2012, serious reunification talks 
occurred, often under the direct supervision of former United Nations 
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. These talks have been suspended for more 
than a year through the economic crises faced by the island, but there 
is some room for hope that discussions can restart this fall.
  I rise today to urge this Administration to promote such discussions 
and join in the efforts to reach a reunification agreement on the 
island of Cyprus that benefits both Cypriot communities.
  Such progress will be of great benefit to the world community. It 
will also directly serve to remove a source of friction between two 
NATO allies, Turkey and Greece. It is my hope that a bizonal, 
bicommunal federation agreement that establishes a strong, functioning 
democracy can be reached in the near future.

                          ____________________