105TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. CON. RES. 81
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Calling for a United States initiative seeking a just
and peaceful resolution of the situation on Cyprus.
105TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. CON. RES. 81
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Whereas the Republic of Cyprus has been divided and occu-
pied 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 fun-
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damental human rights affecting all the people of Cyprus,
and undermines significant United States interests in the
Eastern Mediterranean region;
Whereas the international community and the United States
Government have repeatedly called for the speedy with-
drawal of all foreign forces from the territory of Cyprus;
Whereas there are internationally acceptable means, including
the demilitarization of Cyprus and the establishment of
a multinational force, to ensure the security of both com-
munities in Cyprus;
Whereas the House of Representatives has endorsed the ob-
jective of the total demilitarization of Cyprus;
Whereas during the past year tensions on Cyprus have dra-
matically increased, with violent incidents occurring along
ceasefire lines at a level not reached since 1974;
Whereas recent events in Cyprus have heightened the poten-
tial for armed conflict in the region involving two North
Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies, Greece and
Turkey, which would threaten vital United States inter-
ests 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 politi-
cal, 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 Mediterra-
nean and serve important interests of the United States;
Whereas the United Nations has repeatedly stated the pa-
rameters for such a solution, most recently in United Na-
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tions Security Council Resolution 1092, adopted on De-
cember 23, 1996, with United States support;
Whereas the prospect of the accession by Cyprus to the Euro-
pean Union, which the United States has actively sup-
ported, could serve as a catalyst for a solution to the Cy-
prus 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
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That the Congress—
(1) reaffirms its view that the status quo on
Cyprus is unacceptable and detrimental to the inter-
ests of the United States in the Eastern Mediterra-
nean and beyond;
(2) considers lasting peace and stability on Cy-
prus could be best secured by a process of complete
demilitarization leading to the withdrawal of all for-
eign occupation forces, the cessation of foreign arms
transfers to Cyprus, and providing for alternative
internationally acceptable and effective security ar-
rangements as negotiated by the parties;
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(3) welcomes and supports the commitment by
President Clinton to give increased attention to Cy-
prus and make the search for a solution a priority
of United States foreign policy;
(4) encourages the President to launch an early
substantive initiative, in close coordination with the
United Nations, the European Union, and interested
governments to promote a speedy resolution of the
Cyprus problem on the basis of international law,
the provisions of relevant United Nations Security
Council resolutions, democratic principles, including
respect for human rights, and in accordance with
the norms and requirements for accession to the Eu-
ropean Union;
(5) calls upon the parties to lend their full sup-
port and cooperation to such an initiative; and
(6) requests the President to report actions
taken to give effect to the objectives set forth in
paragraph (4) in the bimonthly report on Cyprus
transmitted to the Congress.
Passed the House of Representatives July 22, 1997.
Attest:
Clerk.