[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 320 Introduced in House (IH)]
108th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 320
Supporting the removal of Turkish occupation troops from the Republic
of Cyprus.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 16, 2003
Mr. Andrews (for himself, Mr. Bilirakis, Mr. Pallone, and Mr. Ryan of
Ohio) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the
Committee on International Relations
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Supporting the removal of Turkish occupation troops from the Republic
of Cyprus.
Whereas the United States has shown consistent interest in resolving the Cyprus
issue and has encouraged every effort in that direction;
Whereas the recent signing by the President of the Republic of Cyprus of the
European Union Accession Treaty on April 16, 2003, has opened new
avenues for the resolution of the division of the island;
Whereas Turkish troops have been in Cyprus ever since the illegal occupation of
1974, and the number of occupying troops has increased over the last
three decades so that there are now over 30,000 Turkish troops in the
nation, making Cyprus one of the most militarized countries in the
world;
Whereas the Greek Cypriots recently implemented a package of good faith measures
designed to assist their Turkish Cypriot compatriots by ensuring that
the Turkish Cypriots can enjoy the same rights and privileges enjoyed by
all other citizens of Cyprus, such as free movement of goods, improved
healthcare, education, trade, and employment opportunities;
Whereas a resolution of the Cyprus issue may materially advance the chance of
Turkey to proceed with its accession to the European Union; and
Whereas the recent opportunity of contact between the Greek Cypriots and the
Turkish Cypriots provided by the opening of crossing points by the
occupation authorities has demonstrated that Greek Cypriots and Turkish
Cypriots can live in harmony without animosity and within the rule of
law of the European Union: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) wishing to accelerate the momentum for the
reunification of the Republic of Cyprus, urges as a further
step, the immediate withdrawal of the Turkish troops of
occupation;
(2) calls upon the Administration of the United States to
advocate for the immediate withdrawal of Turkish troops from
the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus; and
(3) expresses its strong support of the recent decision by
the European Parliament to demand the removal of the Turkish
occupation forces from the northern one-third of the Republic
of Cyprus.
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