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96–356PDF 2004

CALLING ON GOVERNMENT OF LIBYA TO REVIEW LEGAL ACTIONS TAKEN AGAINST BULGARIAN MEDICAL WORKERS; URGING THE PRESIDENT OF THE EU TO ADD HEZBOLLAH TO

EU’S WIDE-RANGING LIST OF TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS;

PLEDGING CONTINUED U.S. SUPPORT FOR THE REPUBLIC

OF GEORGIA; CONGRATULATING SERBIA FOR CONDUCTING

A DEMOCRATIC, FREE AND FAIR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

AND FOR REAFFIRMING SERBIA’S COMMITMENT TO PEACE,

DEMOCRACY, AND THE RULE OF LAW; RELATING TO THE

REUNIFICATION OF CYPRUS

MARKUP

BEFORE THE

SUBCOMMITTEE ON EUROPE

OF THE

COMMITTEE ON 

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

ONE HUNDRED EIGHTH CONGRESS

SECOND SESSION

ON

H. Res. 733, H. Res. 341, H. Res. 483, H. Res. 726

and H. Con. Res. 412

OCTOBER 5, 2004

Serial No. 108–148

Printed for the use of the Committee on International Relations

(

Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.house.gov/international—relations 

(II)

COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 

HENRY J. HYDE, Illinois, Chairman 

JAMES A. LEACH, Iowa 

CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH, New Jersey, 

Vice Chairman 

DAN BURTON, Indiana 

ELTON GALLEGLY, California 

ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN, Florida 

CASS BALLENGER, North Carolina 

DANA ROHRABACHER, California 

EDWARD R. ROYCE, California 

PETER T. KING, New York 

STEVE CHABOT, Ohio 

AMO HOUGHTON, New York 

JOHN M. MCHUGH, New York 

ROY BLUNT, Missouri 

THOMAS G. TANCREDO, Colorado 

RON PAUL, Texas 

NICK SMITH, Michigan 

JOSEPH R. PITTS, Pennsylvania 

JEFF FLAKE, Arizona 

JO ANN DAVIS, Virginia 

MARK GREEN, Wisconsin 

JERRY WELLER, Illinois 

MIKE PENCE, Indiana 

THADDEUS G. MCCOTTER, Michigan 

KATHERINE HARRIS, Florida 

VACANCY 

TOM LANTOS, California 

HOWARD L. BERMAN, California 

GARY L. ACKERMAN, New York 

ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA, American 

Samoa 

DONALD M. PAYNE, New Jersey 

ROBERT MENENDEZ, New Jersey 

SHERROD BROWN, Ohio 

BRAD SHERMAN, California 

ROBERT WEXLER, Florida 

ELIOT L. ENGEL, New York 

WILLIAM D. DELAHUNT, Massachusetts 

GREGORY W. MEEKS, New York 

BARBARA LEE, California 

JOSEPH CROWLEY, New York 

JOSEPH M. HOEFFEL, Pennsylvania 

EARL BLUMENAUER, Oregon 

SHELLEY BERKLEY, Nevada 

GRACE F. NAPOLITANO, California 

ADAM B. SCHIFF, California 

DIANE E. WATSON, California 

ADAM SMITH, Washington 

BETTY MCCOLLUM, Minnesota 

BEN CHANDLER, Kentucky 

THOMAS E. MOONEY, SR., Staff Director/General Counsel 

ROBERT R. KING, Democratic Staff Director 

SUBCOMMITTEE ON EUROPE

JO ANN DAVIS, Virginia, Chairwoman 

DAN BURTON, Indiana 

ELTON GALLEGLY, California 

PETER T. KING, New York 

THADDEUS G. McCOTTER, Michigan 

ROY BLUNT, Missouri 

VACANCY 

ROBERT WEXLER, Florida 

ELIOT L. ENGEL, New York 

WILLIAM D. DELAHUNT, Massachusetts 

BARBARA LEE, California 

JOSEPH M. HOEFFEL, Pennsylvania 

EARL BLUMENAUER, Oregon 

VINCE MORELLI, Subcommittee Staff Director 

JONATHAN KATZ, Democratic Professional Staff Member 

PATRICK PRISCO, Professional Staff Member 

BEVERLY HALLOCK, Staff Associate 

(III)

C O N T E N T S 

Page

MARKUP OF 

H. Res. 733, Calling on the Government of Libya to review the legal actions 

taken against several Bulgarian medical workers ............................................ 2

H. Res. 341, Urging the President of the European Union to add Hezbollah 

to the European Union’s wide-ranging list of terrorist organizations ............. 7

Amendment to H. Res. 341 offered by the Honorable Jo Ann Davis, a 

Representative in Congress from the Commonwealth of Virginia, and 

Chairwoman, Subcommittee on Europe ......................................................... 11

H. Res. 483, Pledging continued United States support for the sovereignty, 

independence, territorial integrity, and democratic and economic reforms 

of the Republic of Georgia ................................................................................... 15

Amendment in the nature of a substitute to H. Res. 483 offered by the 

Honorable Jo Ann Davis .................................................................................. 20

H. Res. 726, Congratulating the people of Serbia and government of Serbia 

for conducting a democratic, free and fair presidential election and for 

reaffirming Serbia’s commitment to peace, democracy, and the rule of law ... 25

Amendment in the nature of a substitute to H. Res. 726 offered by the 

Honorable Jo Ann Davis .................................................................................. 29

Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to H. Res. 

726 offered by the Honorable Eliot L. Engel, a Representative in Congress from the State of New York ................................................................... 34

H. Con. Res. 412, Relating to the reunification of Cyprus ................................... 37

Amendment in the nature of a substitute to H. Con. Res. 412 offered 

by the Honorable Jo Ann Davis ...................................................................... 41

Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to H. Con. 

Res. 412 offered by the Honorable Eliot L. Engel .......................................... 47

LETTERS, STATEMENTS, ETC., SUBMITTED FOR THE RECORD 

The Honorable Robert Wexler, a Representative in Congress from the State 

of Florida: Prepared statement ........................................................................... 13

(1)

CALLING ON GOVERNMENT OF LIBYA TO REVIEW LEGAL 

ACTIONS TAKEN AGAINST BULGARIAN MEDICAL WORKERS; URGING THE PRESIDENT OF THE EU TO ADD 

HEZBOLLAH TO EU’S WIDE-RANGING LIST OF TERRORIST 

ORGANIZATIONS; PLEDGING CONTINUED U.S. SUPPORT 

FOR THE REPUBLIC OF GEORGIA; CONGRATULATING 

SERBIA FOR CONDUCTING A DEMOCRATIC, FREE AND 

FAIR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AND FOR REAFFIRMING 

SERBIA’S COMMITMENT TO PEACE, DEMOCRACY, AND THE 

RULE OF LAW; RELATING TO THE REUNIFICATION OF 

CYPRUS 

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2004

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 

SUBCOMMITTEE ON EUROPE, 

COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, 

Washington, DC. 

The Subcommittee met, pursuant to call, at 1:47 p.m., in room 

2200, Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Jo Ann Davis (Chairwoman of the Subcommittee) presiding. 

Mrs. DAVIS. The Subcommittee on Europe will now come to 

order. 

Pursuant to notice, I call up the resolution H. Res. 733 for purposes of markup. Without objection, the resolution will be considered as read and open for amendment at any time. 

[H. Res. 733 follows:]

2

1

IV

108TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. RES. 733

Calling on the Government of Libya to review the legal actions taken against

several Bulgarian medical workers.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

JULY 20, 2004

Mr. BEREUTER (for himself, Mr. WEXLER, and Mr. WILSON of South Carolina) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations

RESOLUTION

Calling on the Government of Libya to review the legal

actions taken against several Bulgarian medical workers.

Whereas on February 9, 1999, Libyan authorities detained a

group of Bulgarian medical workers stationed at the AlFatih hospital in Benghazi;

Whereas in March 1999, Libyan authorities notified the Government of Bulgaria that 5 members of the group of

medical workers were being detained on a warrant accusing the medical workers of participating in a foreign intelligence-supported conspiracy against Libya by infecting

over 400 Libyan children at the Al-Fatih hospital with

blood products contaminated with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV);


96356b.AAB
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2

•HRES 733 IH

Whereas in February 2002, after a period of investigation,

the Libyan People’s Court decided that there was not

enough evidence to substantiate the accusations of conspiracy against Libya and dismissed the case referring it

back to the criminal court in Benghazi where the medical

workers were prosecuted for deliberately causing HIV infections of the children;

Whereas throughout the lengthy trial, which was marked by

accusations of irregularities and gross violations of Libyan law on the part of the prosecution and the court itself,

numerous experts in the area of HIV/AIDS testified that

there was inadequate and inconsistent evidence offered to

affirm that the children were deliberately infected by the

medical workers;

Whereas on May 6, 2004, the criminal court found the 5 Bulgarian medical workers guilty of deliberately infecting the

Libyan children with HIV and sentenced them to death

by firing squad;

Whereas the United States Government, the European

Union, and the Council of Europe have all expressed deep

concerns with respect to the conduct of the investigation

and trial of the medical workers and the lack of compelling evidence to suggest that the defendants had any involvement in the HIV epidemic; and

Whereas in the process of developing bilateral relations with

the Government of Libya, the treatment of United States

citizens and foreign nationals living or working in Libya,

and in particular the resolution of the matter involving

the Bulgarian medical workers, should be a factor in considering further improvements in United States-Libyan

relations: Now, therefore, be it


96356b.AAC
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3

•HRES 733 IH

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

2 (1) expresses its sympathies for those Libyan

3 children infected with the human immunodeficiency

4 virus (HIV) and its condolences to the families of

5 those children who have died from the acquired im6 mune deficiency syndrome (AIDS);

7 (2) raises serious concerns regarding the con8 duct and fairness of the investigations and trial and

9 the lack of compelling evidence regarding the allega10 tions of criminal intent on the part of the Bulgarian

11 medical workers;

12 (3) expresses its deep dismay over the recent

13 verdict by the Libyan court and the harsh sentence

14 imposed on the Bulgarian medical workers and

15 urges the Government of Libya to review the case,

16 reconsider the verdict, and consider the possibility of

17 withdrawing the charges and releasing the defend18 ants; and

19 (4) affirms the support of the United States for

20 the Government of Bulgaria and its efforts to reach

21 a just and final resolution of this matter.

Æ


96356b.AAD
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In March 1999, Libyan authorities notified the Bulgarian Government that six members of a medical group working in Libya 

were being detained on a warrant accusing the medical workers of 

participating in a foreign intelligence-supported conspiracy against 

the state by affecting over 400 Libyan children at the Al-Fatih hospital with blood products contaminated with the HIV virus. 

After a period of investigation, the Libyan People’s Court decided 

that there was not enough evidence to substantiate the accusations 

of conspiracy against the state and dismissed the case, referring it 

back to the criminal court where the medical personnel were prosecuted for deliberately causing the infections of the children. 

The lengthy trial was marked by accusations of irregularity and 

gross violations of Libyan law on the part of the prosecution and 

the court itself. Numerous experts in the area of HIV/AIDS testified that there was inadequate and inconsistent evidence offered to 

affirm that the children were deliberately infected by the medical 

personnel. 

On May 6, 2004, the criminal court in Benghazi found the five 

Bulgarian medical workers and one Palestinian doctor guilty of deliberately infecting the Libyan children with HIV and sentenced 

them to death by firing squad. 

H. Res. 733, which was introduced by our former colleague and 

Chairman of this Subcommittee, Doug Bereuter, expresses its sympathies for those Libyan children infected with the HIV/AIDS disease and its condolences to the families of those children who have 

died from the HIV epidemic. The resolution raises concerns regarding the conduct and fairness of the investigations and trial, and expresses its deep dismay over the verdict by the Libyan court and 

the harsh sentence imposed on the medical workers. 

Finally, the resolution urges the Libyan Government to review 

the case, reconsider the verdict and consider the possibility of withdrawing the charges and releasing the defendants. 

The Subcommittee has worked closely with the Bulgarian Embassy here on this matter and has their support for this effort. 

I urge adoption of this resolution. 

Are there any opening statements? 

I would like to recognize our Ranking Member, Mr. Wexler, for 

an opening statement. 

Mr. WEXLER. Thank you, Madam Chair. 

And not in opposition to the resolution, which I strongly support, 

but I think it is only apt to point out at this time that—while the 

President continues to opine, most recently in the debate, about the 

so-called reformed Libya and holds it up as an example of extraordinary diplomacy on behalf of the United States—that this is yet 

another example that Libya has not reformed, that Libya is still 

the repressive rogue nation that it once was. And I applaud the 

fact that we are doing this resolution. 

Mrs. DAVIS. Thank you, Mr. Wexler. 

Mr. McCotter, do you have an opening statement? 

Mr. MCCOTTER. Yes, just a quick observation. 

Having been to Libya myself, with Mr. Weldon and others, I 

think that, clearly, reservations about Libya are in order. 

But we must also recognize some of the steps Libya has taken 

to reform itself as it undergoes this painful process of leaving the 

6

nation of rogue states and becoming a member of the civilized 

world. 

In fact, one of the largest reasons for hope and optimism regarding Libya is their renunciation of their weapons of mass destruction program, of which this resolution is not a part. 

Thank you. 

Mrs. DAVIS. Thank you, Mr. McCotter. 

Ms. Lee? 

Ms. LEE. No. 

Mrs. DAVIS. Are there any amendments? 

If not, the Chair will now entertain a motion that the resolution 

be reported favorably to the Full Committee. 

Mr. WEXLER. So moved. 

Mrs. DAVIS. The question occurs on the motion to report the resolution H. Res. 733 favorably. All in favor, say ‘‘Aye.’’ All opposed, 

‘‘No.’’

The motion is approved, and the bill is reported favorably. The 

staff is directed to make any technical and conforming amendments. 

Pursuant to notice, I call up the resolution H. Res. 341 for purposes of markup. Without objection, the resolution will be considered as read and open for amendment at any point. 

[H. Res. 341 follows:]

7

1

IV

108TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. RES. 341

Urging the President of the European Union to add Hezbollah to the

European Union’s wide-ranging list of terrorist organizations.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

JULY 24, 2003

Mr. SAXTON (for himself and Mr. ENGEL) submitted the following resolution;

which was referred to the Committee on International Relations

RESOLUTION

Urging the President of the European Union to add

Hezbollah to the European Union’s wide-ranging list of

terrorist organizations.

Whereas Hezbollah is a Lebanon-based radical organization

with terrorist cells based in Europe, Africa, North America, and elsewhere, receiving financial, training, weapons,

and political and organizational aid from Iran and Syria;

Whereas Hezbollah has been suspected of numerous terrorist

acts, including but not limited to, the suicide truck bombing of the United States Embassy and Marine Barracks

in Beirut in October 1983 and the Embassy annex in

Beirut in September 1984;

Whereas Hezbollah has attacked numerous Israeli targets in

South America in the mid-1990s, including the Israeli

Embassy in Buenos Aires in 1994;


96356c.AAB
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•HRES 341 IH

Whereas even after the adherence of Israel to United Nations

Security Council Resolution 425 by withdrawing from

South Lebanon, Hezbollah has continued to carry out attacks against Israel and its citizens;

Whereas in the 108th Congress, the House of Representatives adopted House Resolution 285, urging the European Union to classify Hamas, another Palestinian terrorist organization, as a terrorist organization for purposes of prohibiting funding from the European Union to

Hamas;

Whereas Hezbollah provides training and weapons to Hamas

and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad for use by these groups

against Israeli targets;

Whereas the Director of Central Intelligence calls Hezbollah

‘‘an organization with the capability and worldwide presence [equal to] al Queda, equal if not far more [of a] capable organization . . . [t]hey’re a notch above in many

respects . . . which puts them in a state sponsored category with a potential for lethality that’s quite great’’;

Whereas although the European Union has included Imad

Fayiz Mughniyah, a key operations and intelligence officer of Hezbollah, on its terrorist list, it has not included

his organization on the list;

Whereas Hezbollah continues to be sponsored and supported

by such countries as Syria and Iran; and

Whereas cooperation between the United States and Europe

regarding combating international terrorism is essential:

Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives—


96356c.AAC
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3

•HRES 341 IH

1 (1) urges the European Union to classify

2 Hezbollah as a terrorist organization for purposes of

3 prohibiting funding from the European Union to

4 Hezbollah and recognizing it as a threat to inter5 national security;

6 (2) condemns the continuous terrorist attacks

7 by Hezbollah; and

8 (3) condemns Hezbollah’s continuous support of

9 other Palestinian terrorist organization such as

10 Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

Æ


96356c.AAD
10

At this point, for the sake of time, I will also place the amendment I am offering on the table as well. 

The clerk will read the amendment. 

Ms. HALLOCK. ‘‘Amendment——’’

Mrs. DAVIS. I ask unanimous consent that the amendment be 

considered as read. 

[The amendment referred to follows:]

11

1

H.L.C.

AMENDMENT TO H. RES. 341

OFFERED BY MRS. JO ANN DAVIS OF VIRGINIA

Amend the title so as to read: ‘‘Resolution urging

the European Union to add Hezbollah to the European

Union’s wide-ranging list of terrorist organizations.’’.


96356f.AAB
12

Mrs. DAVIS. H. Res. 341, introduced by our colleague from New 

Jersey, Mr. Saxton, simply urges the European Union to add the 

terrorist organization, Hezbollah, to its internal list of terrorist organizations. 

I think we all can agree that Hezbollah is no different than 

Hamas, Islamic Jihad or other organizations which seek the ultimate destruction of Israel and which engage in brutal terror in 

order to achieve its goal. 

Counterterrorism cooperation between the United States and the 

European Union has been growing steadily stronger since September 11, 2001. Our goal to try to end the cycle of terror throughout the world is the same. Our desire to see an end to the conflict 

between the Israelis and the Palestinians is the same. Our approach to Middle East peace through the ‘‘roadmap’’ process is compatible. Yet, for now at least, we do differ on the nature of the 

Hezbollah organization. The EU recently placed Hamas on its list 

of terror organizations and many of us here in Congress believe 

that Hezbollah should now be added as well and that any EU financial assistance for the Hezbollah should be suspended. 

The amendment I have offered deletes some wording in the title 

of the resolution referring to the European Union. 

I will now recognize our Ranking Member, Mr. Wexler, for an 

opening statement. 

Mr. WEXLER. Thank you very much. 

I rise in strong support of this resolution calling on the European 

Union to include Hezbollah on its terrorist list. 

As the originators of the suicide bomb and the most widespread 

network of terror throughout the world, Hezbollah emulates, supports, finances and cooperates with groups already demarcated by 

the EU as terrorist organizations; including the Al-Aqsa Martyrs 

Brigade, Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Palestinian 

Liberation Front and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. 

It defies logic that the EU would classify these groups as terrorist organizations and egregiously omit Hezbollah, an organization that has led a global campaign of terror for 22 years, targeting 

not only Israeli citizens but also Americans, Kuwaitis, Saudi Arabians, Argentinians, Russians and Europeans, among others. 

Last year, Congress passed House Resolution 285, urging the EU 

to classify Hamas as a terrorist organization, and thus prohibit the 

channeling of funds from the EU to Hamas. Fortunately, the EU 

recently added Hamas to its list in its entirety and without distinctions or qualifications, because there is no such thing as a so-called 

‘‘military’’ and ‘‘political’’ wing of a terrorist group. 

The same could be said for Hezbollah, whose leaders have made 

statements denouncing any distinction between their political and 

military operations. 

As the Hezbollah Deputy Secretary General, Sheikh Naim 

Qassem, wrote in his book,

‘‘Hezbollah is a Jihad organization whose aim, first and foremost is Jihad against the Zionist enemy, while the political effort can serve as a prop and a means of support for Jihad.’’

13

This sentiment was reiterated by Hezbollah’s representative in 

the Lebanese Parliament, Mohammed Raad, who responded to the 

2001 British decision to freeze funding to Hezbollah’s military wing 

by stating that,

‘‘Hezbollah is a military resistance party, and it is our task to 

fight the occupation of our land. . . . There is no separation 

between politics and resistance.’’

Since its inception in 1982, Hezbollah has carried out numerous 

attacks on Israel’s northern border, the bombing of the United 

States Embassy and the U.S. and French marine bases in Beirut 

in 1983, the bombings of the Russian Embassy in Beirut, the 

Israeli Embassy in Argentina, the hijacking of two Kuwaiti airliners, and the kidnapping and murder of dozens of Westerners in 

Lebanon. In total, Hezbollah has been responsible for the deaths of 

hundreds of innocent civilians from all over the world. 

In the past year, nearly 75 percent of the terrorist attacks 

against Israel have been generated, directed and funded by 

Hezbollah, including the bus bombing in Bersheval last month. 

While the Israeli Defense Forces have made headway in arresting, killing and restricting the movement of several different Palestinian terrorist groups, Hezbollah has moved in to fill this vacuum. 

Madam Chair, it is, I think—without suggesting that the EU 

used anything other than truthful language when their representative came and spoke at this Subcommittee some weeks ago—it is 

incredulous to believe that we even have to make an argument to 

the European Union that Hezbollah should be on the terrorist organization. 

And it seems evident that this resolution should pass with unanimous support. 

Thank you. 

[The prepared statement of Mr. Wexler follows:]

PREPARED STATEMENT OF THE HONORABLE ROBERT WEXLER, A REPRESENTATIVE IN

CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF FLORIDA

Madame Chair: 

I rise in strong support of this resolution, calling on the European Union to include Hezbollah on its terrorist list. 

As one of the most widespread networks of terror throughout the world, Hezbollah 

supports, finances and cooperates with groups already demarcated by the EU as terrorist organizations, including the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, Hamas, the Palestinian 

Islamic Jihad, the Palestinian Liberation Front and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. 

It defies logic that the EU would classify these groups as terrorist organizations 

and egregiously omit Hezbollah, an organization that has led a global campaign of 

terror for 22 years targeting not only Americans, but also Israelis, Europeans, Kuwaitis, Saudi Arabians, Argentineans and Russians, among others. 

Last year, Congress passed House Resolution 285, urging the EU to classify 

Hamas as a terrorist organization, and thus prohibit the channeling of funds from 

the EU to Hamas. Fortunately, the EU recently added Hamas to its list, without 

distinctions or qualifications, because there is no such thing as a so-called ‘‘military’’ 

and ‘‘political’’ wing of a terrorist group. 

The same can be said for Hezbollah, whose leaders have made statements denouncing any distinction between its political and military operations. As Hezbollah 

Deputy Secretary General, Sheikh Naim Qassem, wrote in his book, ‘‘Hezbollah is 

a Jihad organization whose aim, first and foremost is Jihad against the Zionist 

enemy, while the political effort can serve as a prop and a means of support for 

Jihad.’’

14

This sentiment was reiterated by Hezbollah’s representative in the Lebanese Parliament, Mohammad Raad, who responded to the 2001 British decision to freeze 

funding to Hezbollah’s military wing by stating that, ‘‘Hezbollah is a military resistance party, and it is our task to fight the occupation of our land . . . There is no 

separation between politics and resistance.’’

Since its inception in 1982, Hezbollah has carried out the bombing of the US Embassy in Lebanon, the Israeli Embassy in Argentina, the US and French marine 

bases in Beirut, the Russian Embassy in Lebanon, the hijacking of two Kuwaiti airliners, numerous attacks on Israel’s northern border the kidnapping and the murder 

of dozens of Westerners in Lebanon. On the same day that nearly 300 Americans 

died 21 years ago in Beirut, 58 French paratroopers also were targeted and killed 

by Hezbollah. 

In the past year, nearly 75 percent of the terrorist attacks against Israel have 

been implemented with the involvement and funding of Hezbollah, including the bus 

bombing in Bersheva last month. While the Israeli Defense Forces have made headway in arresting, killing and restricting Palestinian terrorists, Hezbollah has moved 

in to fill this vacuum. 

As a prominent Israeli paper recently affirmed, ‘‘The terror engine has changed 

its address. It has moved from the mukata [or Arafat’s headquarters] to Beirut.’’ Increased support for Palestinian terrorist operations is no secret. It has been openly 

discussed by Hezbollah leadership, as was the case this July when Hezbollah leader 

Hassan Nasrallah publicly aligned Hezbollah with the likes of Hamas, Al Aqsa 

Martrys Brigade and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, all of which appear on the EU 

terrorist list. 

It is in this regard that I was surprised to learn that the EU Representative in 

Lebanon—Patrick Renauld—met with Mr. Nasrallah on September 10 to discuss future cooperation between the EU and Hezbollah. It is unconscionable that the EU 

would sanction such a meeting between a government official and a terrorist thug, 

and I am eagerly awaiting further explanation from EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator, Mr. De Vris, regarding the origins, purpose and extent to which the EU sanctioned this meeting. 

Madame Chair, the European Union has placed Hezbollah officials such as Imad 

Mughniyah on its terrorist list. It has placed every known Palestinian terrorist organization on its terrorist list, the majority of whose operations are contingent on 

the support of Hezbollah. It has assisted America in the war on terror in a number 

of areas, yet it has made an ominous and incongruous mistake by excluding 

Hezbollah from its terrorist list. 

Hezbollah does not discriminate in its targeting of innocent civilians, and the European Union should not discriminate in its categorizing of terrorists. I strongly support House Resolution 341 and urge the European Union—in the strongest possible 

terms—to add Hezbollah to its list of terrorist organizations.

Mrs. DAVIS. Thank you, Mr. Wexler. 

Are there any other Members who wish to be recognized? 

Are there any other amendments? 

If not, the Chair will now entertain a motion that the resolution, 

as amended, be reported favorably to the Full Committee. 

Mr. WEXLER. So moved. 

Mrs. DAVIS. The question occurs on the motion to report the resolution, H. Res. 341, as amended, favorably. All in favor say, ‘‘Aye.’’ 

All opposed, ‘‘No.’’

The motion is approved, and the bill is reported favorably. 

Without objection, the bill will be reported favorably to the Full 

Committee in the form of a single amendment in the nature of a 

substitute incorporating the amendments adopted here today. 

Without objection, the staff is directed to make any technical and 

conforming amendments. 

Pursuant to notice, I call up the resolution H. Res. 483 for purposes of markup. Without objection, the resolution will be considered as read and open for amendment at any point. 

[H. Res. 483 follows:]

15

1

IV

108TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. RES. 483

Pledging continued United States support for the sovereignty, independence,

territorial integrity, and democratic and economic reforms of the Republic

of Georgia.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

DECEMBER 8, 2003

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida submitted the following resolution; which was

referred to the Committee on International Relations

RESOLUTION

Pledging continued United States support for the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and democratic and economic reforms of the Republic of Georgia.

Whereas on November 23, 2003, Eduard Shevardnadze

stepped down as President of the Republic of Georgia

after nearly three weeks of peaceful and bloodless protests following parliamentary elections the opposition contended were rigged;

Whereas the observer mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe reported that recent electoral processes in the Republic of Georgia did not meet

the standards of a free and fair election;

Whereas the Department of State issued statements on November 20–21, 2003, expressing deep disappointment


96356d.AAB
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•HRES 483 IH

that ‘‘massive vote fraud’’ had taken place during the

November 2, 2003, parliamentary elections in the Republic of Georgia;

Whereas the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Georgia

ruled that the November 2 election was fraudulent;

Whereas the political opposition of the Republic of Georgia,

lead by Nino Budzhanadze, Mikhail Saakashvili, and

Zurab Zhvaniva, successfully drove from office President

Eduard Shevardnadze through a bloodless revolution;

Whereas Eduard Shevardnadze, as foreign minister of the

Soviet Union under Mikhail Gorbachev, made an enormous contribution to the transformation of world politics,

and later, as the President of the Republic of Georgia,

Eduard Shevardnadze exhibited wisdom, courage, and nationalism in stepping down from the presidency rather

than using force to maintain his leadership;

Whereas in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic

of Georgia the Parliamentary Speaker Nino Budzhanadze

has become interim president;

Whereas on November 23, 2003, the United States recognized Nino Burdzhanadze as the interim president of the

Republic of Georgia, offered its support, and urged that

new elections be free and fair;

Whereas on November 24, 2003, the European Union expressed support for the interim government and called

for democratic elections;

Whereas interim president Nino Burdzhanadze called for

order to be re-established and for presidential elections to

be held within a constitutionally-mandated 45 days;


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•HRES 483 IH

Whereas a representative democracy is an indispensable condition for the stability, peace, and development of the Republic of Georgia;

Whereas the Organization for Security and Cooperation in

Europe has pledged up to $6,000,000 to help administer

presidential and legislative elections in the Republic of

Georgia;

Whereas Congress has earmarked or allocated

$1,100,000,000 in aid to the Republic of Georgia, among

the highest for the Eurasian region in per capita terms,

over the decade spanning 1992–2002;

Whereas the Members of the House of Representatives have

pledged to provide further support and assistance to the

people of the Republic of Georgia to help them consolidate the democratic process in their country;

Whereas the United States supports a free, democratic,

strong, and successful Republic of Georgia; and

Whereas the current political situation in the Republic of

Georgia requires urgent attention: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

2 (1) congratulates Eduard Shevardnadze and the

3 leaders of the political opposition of the Republic of

4 Georgia—Nino Budzhanadze, Mikhail Saakashvili,

5 and Zurab Zhvaniva—for their courage and patriot6 ism in dealing with the recent political crisis in the

7 Republic of Georgia peacefully and bloodlessly;

8 (2) urges all political segments, as well as social

9 sectors and institutions in the Republic of Georgia,


96356d.AAD
18

4

•HRES 483 IH

1 to strive, through dialogue, to achieve the national

2 reconciliation for which both the people of the Re3 public of Georgia and the international community

4 yearn;

5 (3) calls on the interim government to act expe6 ditiously to conduct free, fair, and open elections;

7 and

8 (4) calls on the President to urge the people in

9 all sectors of society of the Republic of Georgia to

10 respect and preserve the free exercise of the essen11 tial elements of democracy.

Æ


96356d.AAE
19

Mrs. DAVIS. At this point, for the sake of time, I will also place 

the amendment I am offering on the table as well. 

The clerk will read the amendment. 

Ms. HALLOCK. ‘‘Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute——’’

Mrs. DAVIS. I ask unanimous consent that the amendment be 

considered as read. 

Without objection. 

[The amendment referred to follows:]

20

1

H.L.C.

AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE

TO H. RES. 483

OFFERED BY MRS. JO ANN DAVIS OF VIRGINIA

Strike the preamble and insert the following:

Whereas on November 23, 2003, Eduard Shevardnadze,

in what has become known as the ‘‘Rose Revolution’’,

stepped down as President of the Republic of Georgia

after several weeks of peaceful and bloodless protests

following parliamentary elections determined to be

fraudulent;

Whereas interim president Nino Burdzhanadze worked

diligently to restore order and to prepare Georgia for

a new presidential election;

Whereas after a free, fair, and democratic election was

held, Mikhail Saakashvili was sworn into office on

January 24, 2004, as President of Georgia;

Whereas President Saakashvili, who has received a law

degree from Columbia University and a Doctorate of

Judicial Science from George Washington University,

has repeatedly stressed the importance of strong ties

with the United States;

Whereas President Saakashvili visited the United States

Congress earlier this year and delivered a strong

message of peace, stability, democracy, political reform, and economic opportunity;

Whereas Georgia is a small, but strategically situated

country located in the Caucasus, between the Russian

Federation, Iran, Turkey, and Central Asia and is of

additional interest to the United States because of oil


96356g.AAB
21

2

H.L.C.

and gas pipelines now being built from Baku in Azerbaijan to the port of Ceyhan in Turkey;

Whereas Georgia has also become a key player in the

Global War on Terrorism by combating members of

al Qaeda and other Muslim terrorist organizations

thought to be operating in areas such as the Pankisi

Gorge and by working with the United States which

currently has a small military mission in Georgia to

help train border guards and others to help the Government of Georgia secure its borders and prevent

the infiltration of terrorists and others;

Whereas the United States supports Georgia’s efforts to

reestablish government control and political stabilization in regions such as Abkhazia and South Ossetia;

and

Whereas a representative democracy, political stability,

economic growth, and peace are essential to Georgia

itself and to the Caucasus region as well: Now, therefore, be it

Strike all after the resolving clause and insert the

following:

1 That the House of Representatives—

2 (1) congratulates the people of the Republic of

3 Georgia for their commitment to democracy, peace,

4 stability, and economic opportunity;

5 (2) commends President Saakashvili for his vi6 sion of, and commitment to, a peaceful, democratic

7 Georgia, the rule of law, an open market economy,


96356g.AAC
22

3

H.L.C.

1 regional cooperation, and closer integration into

2 western institutions;

3 (3) supports the sovereignty, independence, ter4 ritorial integrity, and democratic government of

5 Georgia; and

6 (4) pledges to provide support and assistance to

7 the people and Government of Georgia to help them

8 consolidate the democratic process in their country.


96356g.AAD
23

Mrs. DAVIS. In November 2003, in what has become known as 

the ‘‘Rose Revolution,’’ the Government of the Republic of Georgia 

collapsed after several weeks of peaceful and bloodless protests following parliamentary elections determined to be fraudulent. 

The Speaker of the Parliament, acting as Interim President, 

worked diligently to restore order and calm and to prepare Georgia 

for a new presidential election. After a free, fair and democratic 

process, Mikhail Saakashvili was overwhelmingly elected and 

sworn into office on January 24th of this year as President of the 

Republic of Georgia. 

Georgia is a small but strategic country located in the Caucasus 

between Russia, Iran, Turkey and Central Asia. Georgia has become a key player in the war against terrorism in that region by 

combating members of al-Qaeda and other Muslim terrorist organizations thought to be operating in areas such as the Pankisi Gorge. 

The United States currently has a small military mission in Georgia training border guards and other security forces to help the 

Government secure its borders and prevent the infiltration of terrorists and criminals. Georgia is of additional interest to the West 

because of oil and gas pipelines now being built from Baku in Azerbaijan to the port of Ceyhan in Turkey. 

Georgia’s position in the Caucasus and its status as a former Soviet State has also resulted in a great deal of internal problems 

with separatist movements in regions such as Abkhazia and South 

Ossetia. The United States supports Georgia’s efforts to reestablish 

Government control and political stability throughout the entire 

country. 

President Saakashvili is a young, energetic leader who has received extensive educational training here in the U.S. He has repeatedly stressed the importance of strong ties with the United 

States while reaching out to Russia. When President Saakashvili 

visited the United States Congress earlier this year, he delivered 

a strong message of peace, stability, democracy, political reform, 

economic opportunity and closer cooperation with the West. 

Representative democracy, political stability, economic growth 

and peace are essential to Georgia itself, to the Caucasus region 

and to the West. 

H. Res. 483, as originally introduced, contains outdated language 

which my amendment replaces. The amendment congratulates the 

people of Georgia for their commitment to democracy, peace, stability and economic opportunity. The resolution commends President Saakasvili for his commitment for a peaceful, democratic 

Georgia, the rule of law, and open-market economy, regional cooperation and closer integration into Western institutions. 

Finally, the resolution expresses our support for the sovereignty, 

independence, territorial integrity and democratic Government of 

the Republic of Georgia and pledges to provide support and assistance to the people and Government of the Republic of Georgia. 

I urge adoption of the amendment and the resolution. 

I will now recognize our Ranking Member, Mr. Wexler, for a 

statement. 

Mr. WEXLER. Thank you, Madam Chair. 

I concur with your comments. I would simply add that when people suggest that we, at times, may expect too much from Ukraine 

24

or Belarus or others; that we have examples here in Georgia that 

would serve as a model for those countries in the region transforming themselves as early democracies in a very successful way. 

And we should hold Ukraine and Belarus and others to the same 

standards that we are holding Georgia, in a very positive light. And 

I commend the Chair for bringing this resolution to the Committee. 

Mrs. DAVIS. Thank you, Mr. Wexler. 

Mr. McCotter, do you have a statement? 

Are there any other Members who wish to be recognized? 

Are there any other amendments? 

If not, the question is on the amendment. All those in favor say, 

‘‘Aye.’’ All those opposed, ‘‘No.’’

The Chair will now entertain a motion that the resolution as 

amended be reported favorably to the Full Committee. 

Mr. WEXLER. So moved. 

Mrs. DAVIS. The question occurs on the motion to report the resolution H. Res. 483, as amended, favorably. All in favor say, ‘‘Aye.’’ 

All opposed, ‘‘No.’’

The motion is approved, and the bill is reported favorably. 

Without objection, the bill will be reported favorably to the Full 

Committee in the form of a single amendment in the nature of a 

substitute incorporating the amendments adopted here today. 

Without objection, the staff is directed to make any technical and 

conforming amendments. 

Pursuant to notice, I call up resolution H. Res. 726 for purposes 

of markup. Without objection, the resolution will be considered as 

read and open for amendment at any point. 

[H. Res. 726 follows:]

25

1

IV

108TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. RES. 726

Congratulating the people of Serbia and government of Serbia for conducting

a democratic, free and fair presidential election and for reaffirming

Serbia’s commitment to peace, democracy, and the rule of law.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

JULY 19, 2004

Mr. BEREUTER (for himself, Mr. EMANUEL, Mr. WEXLER, and Mr. BURTON

of Indiana) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the

Committee on International Relations

RESOLUTION

Congratulating the people of Serbia and government of Serbia for conducting a democratic, free and fair presidential election and for reaffirming Serbia’s commitment

to peace, democracy, and the rule of law.

Whereas the democratic revolution in Serbia on October 5,

2000, resulted in the overthrow of President Slobodan

Milosevic;

Whereas the Prime Minister of Serbia, Zoran Djindjic, a

leader of the Democratic Party, was assassinated in

March 2003, threatening Serbia’s democratic reforms;

Whereas Mr. Boris Tadic, a close friend and colleague of Mr.

Djindjic, was elected President of Serbia on June 27,

2004, by a majority of Serbian voters who chose his path


96356a.AAB
26

2

•HRES 726 IH

of reform and opportunity over radicalism, isolation, and

conflict;

Whereas, as Minister of Defense of the Government of Serbia

and Montenegro, Mr. Tadic demonstrated courage,

composure, dignity, and wisdom during the outbreak of

ethnic violence in Kosovo between March 17–19, 2004,

by not deploying Serbian military forces in reaction to

the violence and by working with the North Atlantic

Treaty Organization’s Kosovo Force (KFOR) to resolve

the crisis;

Whereas, as Minister of Defense of the Government of Serbia

and Montenegro, Mr. Tadic achieved significant reforms

of the Serbian military and security organizations;

Whereas the 2004 presidential election in Serbia signifies a

turning point for Serbia and offers hope and opportunity

to the Serbian people;

Whereas President Tadic has affirmed that full cooperation

with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former

Yugoslavia (ICTY) is a pre-condition for Serbia’s political

and economic integration with the West; and

Whereas Serbia and the Serbian people remain committed to

democratic reforms and the path toward regional cooperation and integration into Europe and Euro-Atlantic

institutions, including the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU): Now,

therefore, be it

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

2 (1) commends the people of Serbia and the gov3 ernment of Serbia for conducting a democratic, free

4 and fair presidential election;


96356a.AAC
27

3

•HRES 726 IH

1 (2) supports continued democratic reforms in

2 Serbia and urges President Tadic and Prime Min3 ister Kostunica to continue the reform processes

4 begun in October 2000; and

5 (3) recognizes the importance of strengthening

6 regional stability and democracy in the Balkans and

7 encourages and supports the integration of Serbia

8 and Montenegro into Euro-Atlantic institutions.

Æ


96356a.AAD
28

Mrs. DAVIS. At this point, for the sake of time, I will also place 

the amendment I am offering on the table as well. 

The clerk will read the amendment. 

Ms. HALLOCK. ‘‘Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute——’’

Mrs. DAVIS. I ask unanimous consent that the amendment be 

considered as read. 

Without objection. 

[The amendment referred to follows:]

29

1

H.L.C.

AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE

TO H. RES. 726

OFFERED BY MRS. JO ANN DAVIS OF VIRGINIA

Strike the preamble and insert the following:

Whereas the democratic revolution in Serbia on October 5,

2000, resulted in the overthrow of President Slobodan

Milosevic;

Whereas the Prime Minister of Serbia, Zoran Djindjic, a

leader of the Democratic Party, was assassinated in

March 2003, threatening Serbia’s democratic reforms;

Whereas Mr. Boris Tadic, a close friend and colleague of Mr.

Djindjic, was elected President of Serbia on June 27,

2004, by a majority of Serbian voters who chose his path

of reform and opportunity over radicalism, isolation, and

conflict;

Whereas, as Minister of Defense of the Government of Serbia

and Montenegro, Mr. Tadic demonstrated courage,

composure, dignity, and wisdom during the outbreak of

ethnic violence in Kosovo between March 17–19, 2004,

by not deploying Serbian military forces in reaction to

the violence and by working with the North Atlantic

Treaty Organization’s Kosovo Force (KFOR) to resolve

the crisis;

Whereas, as Minister of Defense of the Government of Serbia

and Montenegro, Mr. Tadic achieved significant reforms

of the Serbian military and security organizations;

Whereas the 2004 presidential election in Serbia signifies a

turning point for Serbia and offers hope and opportunity

to the Serbian people;


96356h.AAB
30

2

H.L.C.

Whereas President Tadic has affirmed that full cooperation

with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former

Yugoslavia (ICTY) is a pre-condition for Serbia’s political

and economic integration with the West;

Whereas on September 19 and October 3, 2004, the people

of Serbia conducted free and fair democratic elections for

statewide municipal offices and again chose reform and

opportunity; and

Whereas Serbia and the Serbian people are encouraged to remain committed to democratic reforms and regional cooperation, respect for the rights of all minorities, including in Vojvodina, and integration into Europe and EuroAtlantic institutions, including the North Atlantic Treaty

Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU):

Now, therefore, be it

Strike all after the resolving clause and insert the

following:

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

2 (1) commends the people of Serbia and the gov3 ernment of Serbia for conducting democratic, free

4 and fair presidential and municipal elections;

5 (2) welcomes the recent visit of President Tadic

6 to the United States Congress in July 2004 and for

7 his positive message of democracy, reform, and rec8 onciliation;

9 (3) supports continued democratic reforms in

10 Serbia and urges President Tadic and Prime MinVerDate Mar 21 2002 10:01 Nov 24, 2004 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 6633 Sfmt 6601 F:\WORK\EUROPE\M100504\96356.000 HINTREL1 PsN: SHIRL

96356h.AAC
31

3

H.L.C.

1 ister Kostunica to continue the reform processes

2 begun in October 2000;

3 (4) reaffirms the importance of establishing se4 curity and stability by respecting and protecting the

5 human rights of all people, including all minority

6 groups throughout Serbia and Montenegro; and

7 (5) recognizes the importance of strengthening

8 regional stability and democracy in the Balkans and

9 encourages and supports the integration of Serbia

10 and Montenegro into Euro-Atlantic institutions.

Amend the title so as to read: ‘‘Resolution congratulating the people of Serbia and the government

of Serbia for conducting democratic, free and fair

presidential and municipal elections and for reaffirming Serbia’s commitment to peace, democracy,

and the rule of law.’’.


96356h.AAD
32

Mrs. DAVIS. On June 27, 2004, Serbia conducted an election for 

President. In casting their votes, the people of Serbia chose Boris 

Tadic who represented what many consider to be continuation of 

the pro-democratic, pro-reform movement first championed by 

former Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic, who was assassinated in 

2003. 

This resolution was introduced by our former colleague and 

Chairman, Doug Bereuter, along with our Ranking Democrat and 

colleague, Mr. Burton. 

H. Res. 726, and the amendment I am offering, commends the 

people of Serbia for conducting recent free, fair and democratic 

Presidential and municipal elections and congratulates Boris Tadic 

on becoming President and for visiting the Congress this summer. 

Finally, it reaffirms the importance of respecting and protecting 

the economic, social, cultural and religious rights of all minorities 

throughout Serbia, including those Hungarian and Croat people, 

and others, who live in the Vojvodina region as well as those Serbs 

who live in Kosovo. The Serbian people and Government must understand that if they are to demand respect for the Serb minority 

in Kosovo, that they, themselves, must respect the rights of other 

minorities living in Serbia. 

When President Tadic visited the Congress in July he met with 

several Members, including the gentleman from Indiana who has 

become a champion for the interests of Serbs here in the House. 

I understand that President Tadic’s message to the Congress was 

one of reform, reconciliation and cooperation with the Western democracies. We certainly welcome those commitments and encourage him to pursue these goals with vigor during his Presidency. 

H. Res. 726 also encourages the Government and people of Serbia to continue to pursue further democratic reforms; to continue 

to cooperate with the criminal court; to seek greater regional cooperation; and to commit to achieving the standards of government 

necessary to become strong members of the Euro-Atlantic community and its institutions. 

I urge adoption of the amendment and the resolution. 

I will now recognize the Ranking Member for an opening statement. 

Mr. WEXLER. Thank you, Madam Chair. 

Again, I concur with the Chairwoman’s comments. 

I simply would like to add that the recent election in Serbia just 

shows again the extraordinary success story that can occur when 

there are leaders that are committed to democratic evolution and 

reform. President Tadic is the great hope in Serbia for a future of 

stability and greater democratic reform. 

I believe that Congressman Engel has an amendment, and I will 

defer to him, because I believe he has an opening statement as 

well, if I may. 

Oh, Mr. Burton first? I apologize. 

Mr. BURTON. That is okay. 

Mrs. DAVIS. I will recognize Mr. Burton for a statement. 

Mr. BURTON. We did have a meeting, Madam Chairwoman, with 

President Tadic. I was very impressed with his attitude, not only 

regarding Serbia, but the entire region. He has made a commitment to reach out to other leaders from other ethnic groups in that 

33

entire area to try to bring about a peaceful resolution to the problems that have been going on over there on both sides in the area 

of ethnic cleansing. 

So I think this is the kind of leader that we really need in that 

region and probably throughout the world. And I am very happy 

that he is trying to extend the hand to others over there to bring 

about a peaceful resolution to the problems they have. 

So, Tadic is a good man trying to do a good job. And we need 

to give him all the support we can. 

Thank you. 

Mrs. DAVIS. Thank you, Mr. Burton. 

Mr. Engel? 

Mr. ENGEL. I have an amendment at the desk. 

Mrs. DAVIS. The clerk will call up the amendment. 

Ms. HALLOCK. ‘‘Amendment to the Amendment in the Nature of 

a Substitute Offered by Mr. Engel——’’

[The amendment referred to follows:]

34


96356a.eps
35

Mr. ENGEL. Thank you. 

Thank you, Madam Chair. 

Let me, first of all, say that I intend to support this resolution. 

I met with Mr. Tadic here in Washington and was very impressed 

with his ability and his statement to work to resolve problems in 

the area and, of course, in the election. Although we never get involved in other nations’ elections, I think many of us were happy 

to see that the voice of moderation in that election prevailed. However, there are many open sores. One in particular is the whole situation of the future of Kosovo. 

As you know, Kosovo, for many years, was an autonomous region 

in the former Yugoslavia. And since 1999, when Milosevic tried to 

ethnic cleanse the entire region of Albania, Kosovo has really been 

governed by the international community. 

I just want to say that I think that the future of Kosovo ought 

to be determined—I have said it many times before—by self-determination, to what the people of Kosovo really want. And I think 

that the leadership in Belgrade needs to move on and understand 

that Kosovo will not, in terms of a final status, be a part of Serbia. 

Based on 1999 and the ethnic cleansing, there is no way that the 

vast majority of Albanians in Kosovo would ever agree to be governed by Belgrade again. 

Having said that, however, I believe it is very important that the 

Serbs and other ethnic minorities in Kosovo be given due rights 

and be protected. I am opposed to violence no matter where it 

comes from in the region. 

On October 23rd, in just a few weeks, Kosovo is having national 

elections. And my resolution provides simply:

‘‘In the eighth clause of the preamble, insert at the end before the semicolon the following ‘and the Kosovar Serbs are encourage to do the same by voting in the elections in Kosovo to 

be held on October 23, 2004’.’’

While I believe that the Serbs and all ethnic minorities in Kosovo 

need to be protected, and I abhor any kind of violence and have 

said that many, many times in many, many different communities. 

I do think that all people who live in Kosovo ought to participate 

in the election. Only then can you really have a true democracy 

and minority rights and move one step closer to self-determination 

in Kosovo. 

So that is what my amendment does. It simply urges the Kosovar 

Serbs to vote in the elections on October 23rd. 

Thank you, Madam Chair. 

Mrs. DAVIS. Thank you, Mr. Engel. 

Are there any other Members who wish to be heard on the 

amendment? 

If not, the question is on the amendment to the amendment in 

the nature of a substitute. All those in favor say, ‘‘Aye.’’ Opposed, 

‘‘No.’’

The amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute 

is adopted. 

Are there any other amendments? 

The Chair will now entertain a motion that the resolution be reported favorably to the Full Committee as amended. 

36

The question occurs on the motion to report the resolution H. 

Res. 726 as amended favorably. All in favor say ‘‘Aye.’’ All opposed 

‘‘No.’’

The motion is approved, and the bill is reported favorably. 

Without objection, the bill will be reported favorably to the Full 

Committee in the form of a single amendment in the nature of a 

substitute incorporating the amendments adopted here today. 

Without objection, the staff is directed to make any technical and 

conforming amendments. 

Pursuant to notice, I call up the resolution, H. Con. Res. 412, for 

purposes of markup. Without objection, the resolution will be considered as read and open for amendment at any point. 

[H. Con. Res. 412 follows:]

37

1

IV

108TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. CON. RES. 412

Relating to the reunification of Cyprus.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

APRIL 30, 2004

Mr. WHITFIELD (for himself, Mr. BEREUTER, Mr. PRICE of North Carolina,

and Mr. WEXLER) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which

was referred to the Committee on International Relations

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Relating to the reunification of Cyprus.

Whereas a peaceful, just, and lasting solution to the reunification of Cyprus has been a longstanding policy goal of

the United States;

Whereas the United Nations-sponsored ‘‘Annan Plan’’ recently submitted to referenda in Cyprus represented a

historic opportunity to reunify Cyprus;

Whereas in separate referenda held on April 24, 2004, 65

percent of Turkish Cypriots voted to support the United

Nations-sponsored plan but 75 percent of Greek Cypriots

voted to reject the plan; and

Whereas notwithstanding the outcome of the referenda,

Greek Cypriots will enter the European Union on May 1,

2004: Now, therefore, be it


96356e.AAB
38

2

•HCON 412 IH

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That Congress—

3 (1) commends United Nations Secretary Gen4 eral Kofi Annan, United Nations Special Advisor on

5 Cyprus Alvaro De Soto, Secretary of State Colin

6 Powell, and Ambassador Thomas Weston, the State

7 Department’s Cyprus Coordinator, for their tireless

8 and creative efforts on behalf of a solution to the re9 unification of Cyprus;

10 (2) expresses its admiration for the bold and

11 courageous leadership shown by Prime Minister

12 Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey to help move the United

13 Nations-sponsored ‘‘Annan Plan’’ forward in a posi14 tive manner;

15 (3) lauds the commitment to peace of Prime

16 Minister Constantine Karamanlis of Greece who sup17 ported the United Nations-sponsored plan despite

18 the opposition of the Greek Cypriot leadership;

19 (4) congratulates the Turkish Cypriots for their

20 historic landslide vote in favor of the United Na21 tions-sponsored plan and requests the Turkish Cyp22 riots not to abandon all hope of a united Cyprus or

23 eventual membership in the European Union; and


96356e.AAC
39

3

•HCON 412 IH

1 (5) calls on the United States Government and

2 the European Union to take measures to lift the eco3 nomic and political isolation of the Turkish Cypriots.

Æ


96356e.AAD
40

Mrs. DAVIS. At this point, for the sake of time, I will also place 

the amendment I am offering on the table as well. 

Ms. HALLOCK. ‘‘Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute——’’

Mrs. DAVIS. I ask unanimous consent that the amendment be 

considered as read. 

Without objection. 

[The amendment referred to follows:]

41

1

H.L.C.

AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE

TO H. CON. RES. 412

OFFERED BY MRS. JO ANN DAVIS OF VIRGINIA

Strike the preamble and insert the following:

Whereas a peaceful, just, and lasting solution to the reunification of Cyprus has been a longstanding policy goal of

the United States;

Whereas the United Nations-sponsored ‘‘Annan Plan’’ submitted to referenda in Cyprus represented a historic opportunity to reunify Cyprus;

Whereas in separate referenda held on April 24, 2004, 65

percent of Turkish Cypriots voted to support the United

Nations-sponsored plan; and

Whereas notwithstanding the outcome of the referenda, the

Republic of Cyprus entered the European Union on May

1, 2004: Now, therefore, be it

Strike all after the resolving clause and insert the

following:

1 That Congress—

2 (1) congratulates the Turkish Cypriots for their

3 historic vote in favor of the United Nations-spon4 sored unification plan, commends the Turkish Cyp5 riot leadership for their continued positive attitude

6 toward the situation on Cyprus, and urges the Turk7 ish Cypriot people not to abandon all hope of a


96356i.AAB
42

2

H.L.C.

1 united Cyprus or eventual membership in the Euro2 pean Union;

3 (2) commends United Nations Secretary Gen4 eral Kofi Annan, United Nations Special Advisor on

5 Cyprus Alvaro De Soto, Secretary of State Colin

6 Powell, and former Ambassador Thomas Weston,

7 the State Department’s Cyprus Coordinator, for

8 their tireless and creative efforts on behalf of a solu9 tion to the reunification of Cyprus;

10 (3) expresses its appreciation for the bold and

11 courageous leadership shown by Prime Minister

12 Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey to help move the United

13 Nations-sponsored ‘‘Annan Plan’’ forward in a posi14 tive manner;

15 (4) lauds the commitment to peace of Prime

16 Minister Constantine Karamanlis of Greece who sup17 ported the United Nations-sponsored plan;

18 (5) welcomes the confidence-building measures

19 announced by both sides, including the decision to

20 open additional border crossing points; the demili21 tarization of a wider space along the green line; the

22 initiation of measures to stimulate commercial inter23 action between the two communities; the decision to

24 reopen the Greek Cypriot school in the village of

25 Rizokarpasso, and the decision to permit Greek CypVerDate Mar 21 2002 10:01 Nov 24, 2004 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 6633 Sfmt 6601 F:\WORK\EUROPE\M100504\96356.000 HINTREL1 PsN: SHIRL

96356i.AAC
43

3

H.L.C.

1 riots to attend religious services at the Mamas

2 Church in Morphou/Guzelyurt; and

3 (6) applauds the decision of the United States

4 Government and the European Union to initiate fi5 nancial, and other measures, designed to lift the iso6 lation of the Turkish Cypriots in recognition of their

7 support for the principles of the ‘‘Annan Plan’’.


96356i.AAD
44

Mrs. DAVIS. H. Con. Res. 412 was introduced by several of our 

colleagues, including the Ranking Democrat, Mr. Wexler. The resolution commends the Turkish Cypriot people for their support for 

a unification plan for Cyprus. 

I want to first commend the Ranking Democrat for his commitment to a just and lasting peace in Cyprus and for his cooperation 

on the amendment that I am offering. 

Last year, the House considered and passed a resolution calling 

on both sides in the dispute to move quickly toward adopting a 

plan for unification. The resolution was particularly hard on the 

Turkish Cypriot leadership which was seen by many as the principal impediment to a solution. After a period of negotiations on a 

comprehensive initiative, the people of Cyprus, on April 24th, went 

to the polls to vote on the plan presented by U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan to secure a lasting peace and a permanent end to 

the division of the Island. 

In that vote, an overwhelming majority of Turkish Cypriot citizens voted for the Annan Plan to reunify the country. This resolution recognizes the commitment the Turkish Cypriots made to 

adopt this plan and end the division of the Island. 

The resolution also recognizes the many personalities who were 

involved in the process of negotiating the plan and bringing it to 

a final vote. Although the resolution does not mention them, we 

should note the efforts made by Mr. Mehmet Ali Talat and Mr. 

Serder Denktash for their willingness to work together on this matter in such a positive way. 

As mentioned, I have offered a substitute amendment to H. Con. 

Res. 412. The amendment makes a few language adjustments and 

adds an additional recognition of some of the numerous confidencebuilding measures initiated by both sides since the referendum. 

These are seen as additional opportunities to build new momentum 

for any future negotiations which would help initiate a new effort 

to reunify the Island. 

Hopefully these and other measures will eventually lead us to a 

new round of negotiations which will result in a unified Cyprus. 

I urge adoption of the amendment and the resolution. 

I would now like to recognize Mr. Wexler. 

Mr. WEXLER. Thank you, Madam Chair, especially for marking 

up this resolution. 

On April 24th, a historic vote was taken in an effort to reunify 

Greek and Turkish Cypriots on the divided Island of Cyprus. 

The Annan Plan, sponsored by the United Nations and supported 

by the United States, European Union, Turkey and Greece, was an 

extraordinary effort to bring lasting peace and stability to Cyprus 

for the first time in over four decades. Unfortunately, Greek Cypriots rejected the Annan Plan leaving the Turkish Cypriot community—who voted overwhelmingly in favor of the U.N.-sponsored 

plan—without the peace they so desperately desired. 

The resolution before the Subcommittee today praises the Turkish Cypriot people, as well as Prime Minister Talat, for supporting 

the Annan Plan and its goals of reunification. It also recognizes the 

leading role of Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan, who was unwavering in his commitment to bring lasting peace to Cyprus. Finally, it 

45

lauds the Greek Prime Minister for supporting the U.N.-sponsored 

plan despite the opposition of the Greek Cypriot leadership. 

For many Turkish Cypriots who desired reconciliation with the 

south, membership in the EU as part of a unified Cyprus, as well 

as an improved economy, found that their decision to support the 

Annan Plan was not easy. For over 40 years, the Turkish Cypriot 

community has suffered greatly under the weight of international 

political isolation and economic sanctions. Given the Turkish Cypriots’ strong vote in favor of the Annan Plan and overwhelming 

international recognition of their courageous decision, it is critical 

that the U.S., EU and U.N. follow through on their calls to end the 

unjustified isolation of Northern Cyprus. Unfortunately, despite 

strong sentiments expressed by Secretary General Kofi Annan, 

Prime Minister Tony Blair and American and EU officials to remove these onerous barriers, little has been done to lift these restrictions. 

It has been over 5 months since the referendum, and the international community has not kept its promises to the Turkish Cypriot people. 

During this time, the Northern Cypriot Government has 

furthered its commitment to peace by announcing that all churches 

in the north are free to conduct liturgies, creating new border 

crossings and opening its secondary-level school for Greek Cypriots 

living in the Karpaz area. It is a testament to the strength and determination of the Turkish Cypriots, who continue to pursue peace 

on Cyprus regardless of the inaction of the international community. 

While Greek Cypriots have reaped the benefits of EU membership, it is now incumbent upon the international community to lift 

up the Northern Cypriots. The Turkish Cypriot people have proven 

that they are no longer an obstacle to peace, and it is unconscionable for anyone to argue that the status quo is acceptable. 

Thank you. 

Mrs. DAVIS. Thank you, Mr. Wexler. 

Are there any other Members who wish to be recognized? 

Mr. Burton? 

Mr. BURTON. Madam Chairman, we have debated this issue for, 

I do not know—I have been here 22 years, and I know we have debated it at least 15 to 20 years. And I think progress is being made. 

I think the moves made by the Turkish Cypriots to open up the 

borders for church services and that sort of thing is a step in the 

right direction. And I agree with Mr. Wexler, that it is extremely 

important that in addition to the Greek Cypriots getting the economic recognition they want from the EU, that the Turkish Cypriots should as well. So that would be another step toward bringing 

about goodwill and maybe reunification of the Island. 

So I can wholeheartedly concur. 

Mrs. DAVIS. Thank you, Mr. Burton. 

Ms. Lee? 

Ms. LEE. Thank you, Madam Chair. 

I am opposed to this amendment in the nature of a substitute. 

It really, quite frankly, is completely one-sided. It is poorly written 

and it is not consistent with our longstanding policy of support for 

the reunification of Cyprus. 

46

Specifically, the amendment seeks to recognize and perpetuate 

the division on the Island by rewarding the Turkish Cypriot community at the expense of Greek Cypriots. It lauds the Turkish Cypriot community for their confidence-building measures, which is 

fine, but it makes no mention of the ongoing efforts of the Republic 

of Cyprus to ease tensions, to broaden community interaction and 

to extend the benefits of EU membership to Turkish Cypriots. 

So, Madam Chair, the fact of the matter is that today on the Island of Cyprus there are two communities—one Greek, one Turkish. Both communities want desperately to see an end to the division of their country. Although the Greek Cypriot community rejected the Annan Plan because they legitimately believed that it 

was flawed, they never relinquished the hope of reunification. 

This resolution, as it is framed, would, quite frankly, hinder ongoing efforts to reunify the two communities by encouraging the 

recognition of a separate political entity in Northern Cyprus. It 

would legitimate the Island’s division by encouraging aid to go directly to the north, rather than working through the existing Government of the Republic of Cyprus. 

I believe that if the United States is truly interested in seeking 

a reunified Cyprus, then we cannot support this resolution as it is 

currently written. And I urge my colleagues to vote ‘‘no’’ on it. 

Thank you. And I yield the balance of my time. 

Mrs. DAVIS. Thank you, Ms. Lee. 

Actually, three of the confidence-building measures were Greekinitiated, and all the references to the Greek position were deleted. 

Mr. McCotter? 

Mr. MCCOTTER. Yes, following up on the gentlelady’s previous remarks, it seems to me that it takes two to tango. And while one 

side might have supported the plan, another side did not. And at 

the end of the day, they have to live there with each other. And 

perhaps there is a better plan out there that both could agree on. 

It seems to me precipitous to side with one over the other, because 

it is really rather irrelevant in the long run. 

Ms. LEE. Would the gentleman yield, please? 

Mr. MCCOTTER. Yes. 

Ms. LEE. I must agree with you, and I think this resolution does 

agree with one side versus the other. And I think that we should 

be in the business of trying to forge a policy that creates the reunification. 

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Chair? 

Mr. MCCOTTER. I yield. 

Mr. ENGEL. I am sorry. 

Mr. MCCOTTER. Yes, I am done. 

Mr. ENGEL. I have an amendment at the desk. I do not know if 

this is the right time to introduce it. 

Mrs. DAVIS. The clerk will call up the amendment. 

Ms. HALLOCK. ‘‘Amendment to the Amendment in the Nature of 

a Substitute Offered by Mr. Engel——’’

Mr. ENGEL. Thank you, Madam Chairwoman. 

Mrs. DAVIS. The amendment can be considered as read. 

[The amendment referred to follows:]

47


96356b.eps
48

Mr. ENGEL. I rise to offer an amendment to the amendment in 

the nature of a substitute. Let me tell you that there are two small 

changes I wish to offer to this resolution. 

Let me first of all say that I agree with Ms. Lee, essentially, and 

Mr. McCotter, in that it does take two to tango. And I think that 

we will only have a resolution of the problems on Cyprus if both 

communities find a middle ground or find a ground on which they 

can both agree. If one community agrees with the document and 

the other one does not, we are obviously not going to have agreement. 

There are a number of problems with the agreement that the 

Greek side has talked about for a while, and I just want to say, 

they are not insubstantial disagreements. Certain rights and freedoms in the agreement were prohibited. I will just mention three. 

The control of one’s Government entities and all military forces in 

one’s country. That right and freedom was prohibited, the Greek 

side believes, by the agreement. Freedom from restrictions keeping 

types of citizens from residing in parts of the country, purchasing 

property or keeping their property. And finally, a democracy preponderantly based on the one-person, one-vote principle. Many on 

the Greek side believe this agreement prohibited that without discriminatory restrictions against certain types of citizens in certain 

areas. 

So, you know, again, the agreement can only happen if the Cypriots agree. It is nice that the leaders of Greece and Turkey agree, 

but we have to have the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots 

agreeing in order for the amendment to be valid and to be workable. 

So I offer to amendment which talks about two small changes; 

it does not talk about the whole thing. Clause 2 of the resolve section suggests that the Turkish Cypriot people should not abandon 

all hope of a united Cyprus or eventual membership in the EU. 

I believe that the statement is technically inaccurate, because all 

of Cyrus is in the EU, including the north, and that includes the 

first part of my amendment. 

The final resolve clause is also problematic. While I certainly 

support efforts to enhance the economic development of the northern part of Cyprus and hope that the situation facing Turkish Cypriots will improve, the truth is the isolation of the northern part 

of Cyprus is due to the illegal occupation by a foreign army. And 

that is why it has been isolated. Any suggestion that might imply 

some form of recognition, which I believe is buried in this clause, 

is misplaced. Regardless of whether one thinks the Turkish Cypriots were right or wrong or the Greek Cypriots were right or 

wrong in their positions toward the Annan Plan. Again, as Ms. Lee 

mentioned, and I agree, this issue can only be resolved in negotiations between the parties. 

So let us support enhanced economic development of the northern part of Cyprus, which my amendment does, and not political 

changes, which should only occur at the bargaining table. 

And the second part of my amendment, beginning on line 5, 

would strike ‘‘designed to’’ and all that follows, through line 7 and 

insert ‘‘to improve the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community’’. That way we can truly talk about improving the 

49

lives of people without prejudging very difficult political negotiations which still have to be negotiated if there is going to be an 

agreement between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. 

Mr. BURTON. Would the gentleman yield? 

Mr. ENGEL. Certainly. 

Mr. BURTON. If we pass your amendment, are you going to vote 

for this thing? 

Mr. ENGEL. No, I will not, because——

Mr. BURTON. I did not think so. 

Mr. ENGEL. I have some problem with it. Although I do think 

that my amendment will make it a better document, I still have 

problems with other clauses. 

Mr. BURTON. Will the Chair yield to me? 

Mrs. DAVIS. Yes, I will yield to you, Mr. Burton. 

Mr. BURTON. You know, I can count. There are four votes against 

this and three for. So I can see where we are going on this thing 

and it is not going to pass. But the thing that bothers me is, back 

when they were going to have unified elections and everything 

there, Archbishop Makarios came up with a policy—he was elected 

leader there. He came up with a policy of enosis, which was to reunite Cyprus with Greece. And that is when the whole problem 

started, because the Turkish Cypriots felt like they were going to 

be left out in the cold. And then a civil war started there and the 

Turkish Cypriots were being literally annihilated. And that is why 

Turkey sent troops in there, to protect the Turkish Cypriots on the 

northern part of the Island. And so that is when the Green Line 

took place. 

Now, if they are ever going to solve this problem and if you are 

going to get the Turkish troops off the Island, there is going to 

have to be an agreement that both sides are going to live together 

and they are both going to have the same economic benefits as the 

other. 

If you cannot even pass a resolution like this, then I do not think 

there is any chance of things getting better in the future. I mean, 

this goes back a long, long way. Everybody wants this problem 

solved—the EU and everybody, including the United States. But it 

is not going to be solved as long as you cannot give equal rights 

and benefits to the Turkish Cypriots and that they are guaranteed 

security in the Northern Cypriot area. 

That guarantee is still not there, and that is why you have Turkish troops there. 

Mrs. DAVIS. Mr. Wexler? 

Mr. WEXLER. If I may speak to the criticism voiced by the Members as to the resolution. With all due respect, we are not here arguing the merits of the Cypriot division throughout the decades. 

We are here talking about the specific language of this resolution. 

Mrs. Lee talked about taking sides and so forth. Let us go 

through the resolution, because, with all due respect, I do not think 

it takes sides. 

All the resolution does, as offered by the Chair, is it congratulates the Turkish Cypriots for their vote in favor of the U.N. plan. 

We cannot congratulate the Greek Cypriot side, because they voted 

against it. 

50

And unless you take the position that the U.N., the EU and the 

American position—which has been the American position for decades—should be changed, then I do not think anybody can have 

any issue with the language of the first subsection. 

The resolution then goes on to commend the U.N. Secretary General and then the individual actors, both Colin Powell and Tom 

Weston—I do not think anybody can have any issue with Tom Weston who has devoted his life to this thing—it goes on to commend 

them for their creative efforts. 

It then expresses the appreciation to the Prime Minister of Turkey and the Prime Minister of Greece. And then it welcomes the 

confidence-building measures announced by both sides. Period. 

In fairness, then, it applauds the decision of the U.S. Government and the EU to initiate financial measures to end the isolation 

of the Turkish Cypriot side. How is that taking sides? 

The Greek side is in the EU. There is no financial measures to 

be given to the Greek Cypriot side. The Turkish side is outside the 

EU. So that is why they are being offered some financial incentives 

for having voted for the plan. 

If the world takes the attitude, with all due respect, of the opposition here, why would the Turkish Cypriots even negotiate ever 

again? Because here they are, they supported what they were supposed to, and they have gotten nothing. Now we are going to take 

what little they may get away, if that was the prevailing view? 

So, to argue that this resolution somehow prevents future 

progress, with all due respect, seems not to reflect the terms of the 

resolution. 

And I would beg the three Members of the Subcommittee that 

seem to have reservations, to possibly reconsider. Because this is 

about as bland a resolution that I could ever imagine being drafted 

up on Cyprus without offending either side. 

It simply just congratulates people for voting, and recognizing 

which Prime Ministers did which. This is equal to Turkey and 

Greece. And Greece is in the EU, and the Turkish Cypriots are not. 

Thank you. 

Mrs. DAVIS. Mr. McCotter? 

Mr. MCCOTTER. Yes. As I have been begged to reconsider, let me 

just say I am not going to reconsider. 

In the first resolution in the third whereas clause, I think you 

have the meat of the matter. It says, ‘‘whereas in separate 

referenda,’’ blah, blah, blah, ‘‘Turkish Cypriots voted to support the 

United Nations-sponsored plan, but 75 percent of Greek Cypriots 

voted to reject the plan . . .’’. 

Under the second——

Mr. WEXLER. If I may——

Mr. MCCOTTER. Under the nature of a substitute, which we have 

in front of us, that portion was deleted and changed to 65 percent 

Turkish Cypriots. 

It seems to me that the first one was a more honest attempt of 

what we are after. Because if I have two children and one son gets 

A’s and the daughter gets C’s, and all I do is praise the son who 

gets A’s, the daughter who gets C’s knows I am not happy with her. 

I think that we are fooling ourselves that the Greek Cypriots will 

not notice the difference, that we are praising people for their vote. 

51

It seems that if we want to get something done today, the clause 

that is offensive to some of us should be removed, take out ‘‘65 percent of Turkish Cypriots’’ in the amendment of the nature of a substitute. 

Mr. WEXLER. Would you yield, if you do not mind? 

Mr. MCCOTTER. I am done. 

Mr. WEXLER. If I may just respond quickly so everyone understands, we did not want there to be anything in the resolution that 

would be critical of the Greek Cypriot side. That is why it was 

taken out. 

I mean, I think you are arguing an impossible position for us. If 

we put in what might be perceived as critical, then I would agree 

with Mrs. Lee, we would have taken sides. 

Ms. LEE. Would the gentleman yield for 1 second, please? 

Mrs. DAVIS. Mr. McCotter, would you yield to Ms. Lee? 

Mr. MCCOTTER. Yes. 

Ms. LEE. Thank you very much. 

I appreciate the gentleman’s comments and response. But I think 

what I see and how I see this is—one is that it would not have 

been necessarily critical; it would have been the reality of the fact 

that, first of all, 75 percent of Greek Cypriots did not find the 

Annan Plan as a historic opportunity. And that, to me, is a very 

glaring void. 

It is completely, I think, one-sided in the sense that if you are 

talking about a process by which this Subcommittee is trying to 

send a message in terms of seeking reunification of Cyprus, then 

I do not believe we need to congratulate one side or the other. We 

need to have a resolution that makes sense to try to bring both 

sides together to move forward. 

Mr. WEXLER. Madam Chair——

Mrs. DAVIS. Mr. McCotter, do you yield back your time? 

Mr. MCCOTTER. As a practical matter too, in many ways what 

Ms. Lee said, if you have a group of people who voted 75 percent 

against something and you need the Turkish and the Greek Cypriots to come together in an agreement, you run the risk—through 

a resolution such as this, whether by commission or omission—of 

making the one side dig their heels in and make it far harder for 

them, feeling persecuted, to come to any kind of decision or any accommodation. I think it is counterproductive. 

And as for the argument of why the Turkish army is there or 

not, as an Irish Catholic whose grandfather was born in Antrim 

County, I understand the other side of that coin too. 

I yield back. 

Mrs. DAVIS. Thank you, Mr. McCotter. 

I yield to Mr. Wexler. 

Mr. WEXLER. If the Members will indulge me for a second. I 

would be happy to offer an amendment to put back the language 

you just spoke about that you think would make it more honest—

I would be happy to offer an amendment to do that. We actually 

thought we were making it a more acceptable resolution by taking 

it out. But if it is, in fact, more acceptable, then we would be happy 

to put it back in. 

Mr. MCCOTTER. If the gentleman will yield? 

52

That is more honest in terms of the intent of the resolution, but 

it does not make it more acceptable to me. However, it would have 

made it more honest. 

Mr. WEXLER. Well, I took Mrs. Lee at her word. 

Ms. LEE. No, there are other issues that are troublesome in this 

resolution. In addition—I was citing one example. But, for instance, 

there is some language here that talks about—it is in section 1, 

clause 5—additional border crossings. And again, I do not believe 

that there are any borders in Cyprus. That implies that you have 

two different states. 

So there are other issues in the resolution that I would want to 

see addressed. I would not be prepared to vote for it even if one 

or two of the items were amended out. 

Mr. WEXLER. If I may, Madam Chair, just reclaiming the time, 

Mrs. Lee brings up a concern. That’s the Greek position that you 

apparently may take objection to. We were putting in the Greek 

Cypriot position. That is the offer, the actions they have taken. We 

were being even-handed. We were saying what the Turkish side 

has done and what the Greek side has done. And I do not know 

how we could possibly——

Ms. LEE. Well, I am not trying to take either side on this. 

Mr. WEXLER. Nor does the resolution. 

Ms. LEE. I am just saying my opinion on the language in terms 

of the use of ‘‘border’’ as a word, it implies two different states. And 

I would object to that being in there, again as trying to play a positive role in terms of being objective in this. 

Mr. WEXLER. Okay. Just to explain, though, that is the Greek 

Cypriot position, not the Turkish Cypriot position. 

Ms. LEE. I understand. I understand. 

Mr. WEXLER. And we were offering it in fairness. 

Ms. LEE. I understand. But in fairness, I am not taking one position or the other. 

Mr. WEXLER. Okay. 

Mrs. DAVIS. The question is on the amendment offered by Mr. 

Engel. The question is on the amendment to the amendment in the 

nature of a substitute. All those in favor say, ‘‘Aye.’’ Opposed, ‘‘No.’’

The ayes have it. 

The question now is on the amendment in the nature of a substitute as amended. All those in favor say, ‘‘Aye.’’ Opposed, ‘‘No.’’

Mr. BURTON. Want to take a rollcall vote, Madam Chair? 

Mrs. DAVIS. The amendment by Mr. Engel was adopted. 

The amendment in the nature of a substitute as amended failed, 

I believe. 

Do we need a rollcall vote? 

Mr. BURTON. Yes, I would like a rollcall vote. 

Mrs. DAVIS. A rollcall vote is requested on the amendment to 

the——

Mr. MCCOTTER. On adoption to put in front of us the amendment? 

Mrs. DAVIS. Exactly, yes. This is not passage of the resolution. 

This is putting the amendment in the nature of a substitute as 

amended before us to vote. 

Mr. BURTON. We can tally up——

Mrs. DAVIS. As I heard it, the noes had it. 

53

Mr. MCCOTTER. No. 

Mrs. DAVIS. The noes did not have it? 

Mr. MCCOTTER. I was voting ‘‘yes.’’

Mrs. DAVIS. Okay, there seems to be some confusion. We will 

take that vote over again. 

The question is on——

Mr. ENGEL. I am sorry. Parliamentary inquiry, I guess. 

Is this final passage of the amendment——

Mrs. DAVIS. No. 

Mr. ENGEL [continuing]. Or is this the ability for you to substitute your amendment for the original wording? 

Mrs. DAVIS. This is substituting the amendment in the nature of 

a substitute as amended with your amendment, to put it before us 

in order to vote on it. 

Mr. ENGEL. Okay. So there still has to be one vote for final passage? 

Mrs. DAVIS. Yes. 

The question is on the passage of the substitute as amended. All 

those in favor say, ‘‘Aye.’’ Opposed, ‘‘No.’’

Mr. ENGEL. I am still confused. I am sorry. 

Mrs. DAVIS. You are not voting to report it out of Committee. You 

are voting on passing the substitute as amended to put it before 

us in order to vote to report it out of Committee. 

The amendment in the nature of a substitute is adopted. 

And the question occurs now on the final passage of the resolution, as amended, to be reported favorably to the Full Committee. 

All those in favor say, ‘‘Aye.’’ Opposed, ‘‘No.’’

Mr. BURTON. Rollcall. 

Mrs. DAVIS. A rollcall vote is requested. 

Call the roll. 

Ms. HALLOCK. Mr. Burton? 

Mr. BURTON. Aye. 

Ms. HALLOCK. Mr. McCotter? 

Mr. MCCOTTER. No. 

Ms. HALLOCK. Mrs. Davis? 

Mrs. DAVIS. Aye. 

Ms. HALLOCK. Mr. Wexler? 

Mr. WEXLER. Aye. 

Ms. HALLOCK. Mr. Engel? 

Mr. ENGEL. No. 

Ms. HALLOCK. And Mrs. Lee? 

Ms. LEE. No. 

Mr. BURTON. That is what I told you. We could have stopped this 

an hour ago. 

Ms. HALLOCK. Chairman Davis, it is tallied up as 3–3. 

Mrs. DAVIS. The motion is defeated. 

And that is the end of the markup. The Subcommittee is now adjourned. 

[Whereupon, at 2:40 p.m., the Subcommittee was adjourned.]

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