IV

105TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 81

Calling for a United States initiative seeking a just and peaceful resolution

of the situation on Cyprus.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

MAY 15, 1997

Mr. GILMAN (for himself, Mr. HAMILTON, Mr. PORTER, Mr. BILIRAKIS, Mr.

ENGEL, and Mrs. MALONEY of New York) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International

Relations

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Calling for a United States initiative seeking a just and

peaceful resolution of the situation on Cyprus.

Whereas the Republic of Cyprus has been divided and occupied by foreign forces since 1974 in violation of United

Nations resolutions;

Whereas the international community, the Congress, and

United States administrations have called for an end to

the status quo on Cyprus, considering that it perpetuates

an unacceptable violation of international law and fundamental human rights affecting all the people of Cyprus,

and undermines significant United States interests in the

Eastern Mediterranean region;
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Whereas the international community and the United States

Government have repeatedly called for the speedy withdrawal of all foreign forces from the territory of Cyprus;

Whereas there are internationally acceptable means to resolve

the situation in Cyprus, including the demilitarization of

Cyprus and the establishment of a multinational force to

ensure the security of both communities in Cyprus;

Whereas the House of Representatives has endorsed the objective of the total demilitarization of Cyprus;

Whereas during the past year tensions on Cyprus have dramatically increased, with violent incidents occurring along

ceasefire lines at a level not reached since 1974;

Whereas recent events in Cyprus have heightened the potential for armed conflict in the region involving two North

Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies, Greece and

Turkey, which would threaten vital United States interests in the already volatile Eastern Mediterranean area

and beyond;

Whereas a peaceful, just, and lasting solution to the Cyprus

problem would greatly benefit the security, and the political, economic, and social well-being of all Cypriots, as

well as contribute to improved relations between Greece

and Turkey;

Whereas a lasting solution to the Cyprus problem would also

strengthen peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and serve important interests of the United States;

Whereas the United Nations has repeatedly stated the parameters for such a solution, most recently in United Nations Security Council Resolution 1092, adopted on December 23, 1996, with United States support;
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Whereas the prospect of the accession by Cyprus to the European Union, which the United States has actively supported, could serve as a catalyst for a solution to the Cyprus problem:

Whereas President Bill Clinton has pledged that in 1997 the

United States will ‘‘play a heightened role in promoting

a resolution in Cyprus’’; and

Whereas United States leadership will be a crucial factor in

achieving a solution to the Cyprus problem, and increased

United States involvement in the search for this solution

will contribute to a reduction of tensions on Cyprus:

Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That the Congress—

3 (1) reaffirms its view that the status quo on

4 Cyprus is unacceptable and detrimental to the inter5 ests of the United States in the Eastern Mediterra6 nean and beyond;

7 (2) considers lasting peace and stability on Cy8 prus could be best secured by a process of complete

9 demilitarization leading to the withdrawal of all for10 eign occupation forces, the cessation of foreign arms

11 transfers to Cyprus, and providing for alternative

12 internationally acceptable and effective security ar13 rangements as negotiated by the parties;

14 (3) welcomes and supports the commitment by

15 President Clinton to give increased attention to Cy-
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1 prus and make the search for a solution a priority

2 of United States foreign policy;

3 (4) encourages the President to launch an early

4 substantive initiative, in close coordination with the

5 United Nations, the European Union, and interested

6 governments to promote a speedy resolution of the

7 Cyprus problem on the basis of international law,

8 the provisions of relevant United Nations Security

9 Council resolutions, democratic principles, including

10 respect for human rights, and in accordance with

11 the norms and requirements for accession to the Eu12 ropean Union;

13 (5) calls upon the parties to lend their full sup14 port and cooperation to such an initiative; and

15 (6) requests the President to report actions

16 taken to give effect to the objectives set forth in

17 paragraph (4) in the bimonthly report on Cyprus

18 transmitted to the Congress.

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