Conflict Resolution in Cyprus
CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN CYPRUS -- (Extensions of Remarks - July 20, 2009)
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Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I come to the floor today to urge the U.S. to join in the efforts to reach a peaceful solution to the dispute in Cyprus.
The United States, United Nations, United Kingdom, European Union are just a few countries and international organizations who have long been engaged in the efforts to bring about a negotiated compromise to the dispute in Cyprus. I feel it is time that such an agreement is reached. Moreover, I'm pleased that at the end of last year, the Greek Cypriot Leader, Demetris Christofias, and Turkish Cypriot Leader, Mehmet Ali Talat, began U.N.-sponsored peace talks to try to find a solution to the ongoing situation in Cyprus.
I believe this Administration should also take an active role to bring about a solution that would be beneficial for both Cypriot communities. This ongoing disagreement pits two NATO allies, Greece and Turkey, against each other, and therefore, we must quickly find a mutually agreed upon solution.
Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, Philip Gordon, testified that ``resolution of the Cyprus problem will have a tremendous impact on the region by strengthening peace, justice, and prosperity on the island, advancing Turkey's European Union accession, improving NATO-EU cooperation and removing a source of friction between two NATO Allies, Greece and Turkey.''
I agree with the Assistant Secretary Gordon's sentiments and hope the Administration takes the appropriate actions to ensure that an accord is achieved. Any agreement must lead Cyprus to an independent government where both Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities have equal political rights similar to the 1994 Annan Plan. The Annan Plan would have set up a confederation of two component states--the Greek Cypriot State and the Turkish Cypriot State. Both Cypriot communities would be joined together by a federal government mirrored after the Swiss federal model. The plan included a federal constitution, constitutions for each constituent state, and a string of constitutional and federal laws. It also provided for a Reconciliation Commission to bring the two Cypriot communities closer together and resolve outstanding disputes from the past.
Such a bi-zonal and bi-communal agreement is the best approach and I urge the Administration to actively participate in the peaceful re-unification process in Cyprus.
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