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Greek American Member****p Organizations' 2006 Policy Statement on the =
Cyprus Problem
WA****NGTON, DC-- American Hellenic Institute President Gene Rossides =
announced today that the major Greek American member****p organizations =
endorse the 2006 policy statement on the Cyprus Problem. Prepared by the =
American Hellenic Institute, it is part of the 2006 Greek American =
Policy Statements. The major member****p organizations are: the Order of =
AHEPA, the Hellenic American National Council, the Cyprus Federation of =
America, the Panepirotic Federation of America, the Pan-Macedonian =
Association of America, the PanCretan Association of America and the =
American Hellenic Institute. The endorsed statement follows:
The Cyprus Problem
Background=20
The U.S. failed to take advantage of at least three factors since 2003 =
which presented the U.S. with op****tunities for positive movement on the =
Cyprus problem. The first factor was that Operation Iraqi Freedom =
demonstrated (1) Turkey's unreliability as a strategic ally when it =
counted most when Turkey refused on March 1, 2003 to allow up to 62,000 =
U.S. troops to use bases in Turkey to open a northern front against =
Saddam Hussein's dictator****p; (2) that Turkey is of minimal strategic =
value for U.S. interests in the Middle East, since the defeat of the =
Saddam Hussein dictator****p without Turkey's help and the availability =
of military facilities elsewhere in the region; and (3) that Turkey is =
an "extortionist" state who tried to get for its cooperation $6 billion =
more over the $26 billion offered, a veto over U.S. policy on the =
northern Iraq Kurds and access to northern Iraq oil. (N.Y. Times, Feb. =
20, 2003; A1; col. 6.)
Turkey's unreliability as an ally is not new! There is a history of =
Turkey's actual sup****t of and assistance to the Soviet military during =
the Cold War to the serious detriment of the U.S. (See Exh. 1)
The second factor was Cyprus's accession to the European Union (EU) =
on May 1,=20
2004. This is a seminal event. It gives Cyprus permanent status as a =
state of the EU.=20
The third factor which surfaced fully in 2005 is the virulent =
anti-Americanism and anti-Semitism in Turkey today.
=20
On February 16, 2005 The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) carried an editorial =
page article (A14; col.3) "The Sick Man of Europe-Again" by Mr. Robert =
L. Pollock, a senior editorial page writer at the WSJ. Finally a =
mainstream journalist, and a conservative one at that, has given the =
U.S. public the real picture of Turkey's virulent anti-American and =
anti-Semitic attitudes. He tells it as it is. (See Exhibit 2 for a =
copy of Mr. Pollock's article.)
On March 8, 2005, the noted journalist, Arnaud de Borchgrave, editor at =
large of The Wa****ngton Times and of United Press International, in an =
article titled "Cold Turkey" (Wa****ngton Times, Mar. 8, 2005, A17, =
col.1) pointed out that "Turkey, an erstwhile ally, nabbed the gold =
medal recently in the global anti-American stakes" citing a BBC world =
survey. (See Exhibit 3 for a copy of Mr. de Borchgrave's article.)
On September 27, 2005, Frank J. Gaffney, Jr., in an article in the =
Wa****ngton Times titled "'No' to Islamist Turkey" highlighted why Europe =
should not accept Turkey into the EU. (See Exhibit 4)
On March 14, 2006, Frank J. Gaffney, Jr., in another article on Turkey, =
this one titled "Islamofascist Coup?" details Turkish Prime Minister =
Recep Tayyip Erdogan's "creeping Islamofascist coup against the =
country's secular institutions and traditions." (See Exhibit 5)
In February 2006 a new Turkish film "Valley of the Wolves: Iraq," a =
virulent anti-American and anti-Semitic film, was released to record =
breaking audiences in Turkey.
On March 18, 2006 another article on Turkey by Robert L. Pollock was =
published in the Wall Street Journal titled "After Ataturk: The Weekend =
Interview with Recep Tayyip Erdogan." It was based on Mr. Pollock's =
interview with Turkey's Prime Minister Erdogan and, in effect, is just =
as disturbing as his first article. (See Exhibit 6)
In 2006, the U.S. can still take advantage of these three =
factors and should do so in the interest of the U.S. =20
There is no need now, if there ever was, for the U.S. to =
continue its harmful policy of double standards for and appeasement of =
Turkey on Turkey's invasion of Cyprus, its occupation of 37.3% of =
Cyprus, its violation of human rights in Turkey and Cyprus , its =
outlandish claim to one-half of the Aegean Sea and its disdain for the =
rule of law. The U.S. should alter its harmful "double standards" =
policy on the rule of law for Turkey and Turkey's aggression against =
Cyprus and occupation of 37.3% of Cyprus, now in its 32nd year.
On July 20, 1974, Turkey invaded the Republic of Cyprus with the illegal =
use of U.S.-supplied arms and equipment in violation of the U.S. =
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, the UN Charter article 2 =
(4), the preamble and article 1 of the NATO Treaty and customary =
international law. Turkey occupied about four percent of Cyprus during =
the initial phase of its invasion. Turkish pilots flying American =
planes dropped American-made bombs (including napalm bombs), terrorizing =
and killing innocent Greek Cypriot civilians in Nicosia, Famagusta, =
Kyrenia, and elsewhere.=20
Turkey's invasion had the sup****t and encouragement of then Secretary of =
State Henry Kissinger who knew in advance Turkey planned to invade =
Cyprus and refused to use the U.S. Sixth Fleet or otherwise act to =
prevent the invasion, as requested by U.S. Ambassador to Greece, Henry =
Tasca. Kissinger refused to denounce Turkey's aggression, as Britain and =
most other nations did, and he refused to enforce U.S. laws requiring an =
immediate halt in U.S. arms to Turkey, though he had the statutory =
obligation to do so. He also violated his oath of office by failing to =
do so.
On August 14, 1974, three weeks after the legitimate government =
of Cyprus was restored, Turkey launched the second phase of its invasion =
of Cyprus. This was also encouraged by Secretary Kissinger, who the day =
before had authorized a statement by the State Department's spokesman, =
Ambassador Robert Anderson, that the Turkish Cypriots needed more =
protection. He failed to denounce the second phase of Turkey's =
aggression and failed to uphold U.S. laws requiring an immediate halt in =
U.S.- supplied arms. In the second phase of the aggression, Turkey =
grabbed another 33 percent of the island, expanding its land grab to a =
total of 37.3 percent of Cyprus's sovereign territory, killed innocent =
civilians, raped women from the ages of 12-71, forced 180,000 Greek =
Cypriots from their homes and property and committed massive destruction =
of property including churches. The European Commission on Human Rights =
issued a re****t on July 10, 1976 on the charges made in two applications =
by the Cyprus government. In the re****t the Commission found Turkey =
guilty of violating the following articles of the European Convention on =
Human Rights:
=20
(1) Article 2 - by the killing of innocent civilians committed on a =
substantial scale;=20
(2) Article 3 - by the rape of women of all ages from 12 to 71;=20
(3) Article 3 - by the inhuman treatment of prisoners and persons =
detained;=20
(4) Article 5 - by deprivation of liberty with regard to detainees =
and missing persons - a =20
continuing violation;=20
(5) Article 8 - by the displacement of persons creating more than =
170,000 Greek Cypriot =20
refugees, and by refusing to allow the refugees to return to =
their homes - a continuing =20
violation;=20
(6) Article 1 of the First Protocol to the Convention - by =
deprivation of possessions, =20
looting and robbery on an extensive scale.=20
On January 23, 1977, the London Sunday Times published excerpts of the =
re****t (page 1, col.1) and stated: "It amounts to a massive indictment =
of the Ankara government for the murder, rape and looting by its army in =
Cyprus during and after the Turkish invasion of summer 1974."
The Turkish army has continued to occupy this territory ever since. It =
is an affront to the international legal order and a continuing threat =
to regional stability.
The invasion and Turkey's continuing occupation have drawn universal =
international condemnation, as reflected in UN resolutions, statements =
by members of Congress and from many nations, and various court =
decisions in Europe, but not from the Executive Branch of the U.S. =
government. =20
Turkey contributes some $350 million annually in direct economic sup****t =
to the regime in the occupied parts of Cyprus, and it is estimated that =
the total cost to Turkey of its illegal occupation amounts to one =
billion dollars annually. To secure its land grab of Cypriot territory, =
Turkey has illegally settled northern occupied Cyprus with one hundred =
thousand Turks from Anatolia in violation of the Geneva Convention of =
1949, section III, art. 4, which prohibits colonization by an occupying =
power. These colonists are beholden to their Turkish sponsors whose =
heavy annual outlays subsidize them. As money is fungible, U.S. =
economic aid subsidized Turkey's occupation of Cyprus for decades.
=20
There is no legal distinction between Turkey's 1974 invasion of Cyprus =
and Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. The Cyprus problem is one of invasion and =
occupation by Turkey. Viewed objectively, Turkey in 1974 committed war =
crimes in Cyprus in view of the evidence presented to the European =
Commission of Human Rights and upheld by the Commission in its re****t =
referred to above.
=20
Then Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger bears the major =
responsibility for the Cyprus problem in 1974 because he encouraged and =
sup****ted Turkeys invasion of Cyprus, violated his oath of office by =
failing to halt immediately arms to Turkey as required by U.S. law and =
refused to denounce Turkey's aggression. The U.S. bears a moral =
responsibility to redress the situation.
Britain also bears a major responsibility for Turkey's invasion of 1974 =
and for failing to meet its responsibility under the Treaty of Guarantee =
to warn Turkey against invading and to take action to repel the invasion =
on July 20, 1974, and to have rejected Turkey's ultimatum on August 13, =
1974 during UN negotiations and to have acted on August 14, 1974 to =
oppose Turkey's renewed aggression.
We sup****t a settlement of the Cyprus problem through negotiations =
based on a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation in a state with a single =
sovereignty and international personality, incor****ating the norms of a =
constitutional democracy embracing key American principles, the EU =
acquis communautaire, the European constitution, UN resolutions on =
Cyprus, the pertinent decisions of the European Court of Human Rights =
and of other European Courts.
President Tassos Papadopoulos' new initiative with UN Secretary-General =
Kofi Annan praised=20
Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos initiated a meeting with =
Secretary-General Kofi Annan on February 28, 2006 aimed at reviving =
talks to achieve a settlement of the Cyprus problem. In 2005 President =
Papadopoulos had submitted extensive material to Mr. Annan regarding a =
renewal of discussions following the overwhelming rejection of the UN =
Annan plan, by a vote of 76%, by the Greek Cypriots on April 24, 2004.
Following their meeting, Messrs Annan and Papadopoulos issued a =
joint statement and held a press conference. The UN press release dated =
February 28, 2006 follows:
Joint statement readout by UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric:=20
"United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan and =
President Tassos Papadopoulos met in Paris today to review the situation =
in Cyprus and examine modalities for moving forward on the process =
leading to the reunification of the Island.
They agreed, as they have in the past, that the resumption =
of the negotiating process within the framework of the =
Secretary-General's Good Offices must be timely and based on careful =
preparation. To that end the Secretary-General was pleased to note that =
the leaders of both communities have agreed that bi-communal discussions =
on a series of issues, agreement on which are needed for the benefit of =
all Cypriots, will be undertaken at the technical level. The =
Secretary-General and President Papadopoulos expressed their common hope =
that these discussions would help restore trust between the two =
communities as well as prepare the way for the earliest full resumption =
of the negotiating process. The Secretary-General noted that he had =
received assurances from the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, =
Mr. Talat, that he shared the same aspirations.
The Secretary-General and Mr. Papadopoulos also agreed that =
it would be beneficial for all concerned, and would greatly improve the =
atmosphere for further talks, if progress could be achieved on further =
disengagement of forces and demilitarization on the Island, on the =
complete de-mining of Cyprus, and on the issue of Famagusta. They took =
note of the recent decision by the European Union to release the much =
awaited funds for the benefit of the Turkish Cypriot community. In this =
context, they expressed their warm wishes for the full and speedy =
recovery of Mr. Talat.
=20
The Secretary-General and President Papadopoulos agreed to =
continue their ongoing dialogue with the expressed aim at accelerating =
the search for a comprehensive, fair and mutually acceptable solution to =
the Cyprus problem."
Q: "What will be the role of the EU during this process?"=20
SG: "As you know, during the exercise of my good offices =
over the years, we have cooperated very effectively with the European =
Union and we intended to cooperate with them. In some situations they =
have provided experts and they have provided other assistance. In some =
cases [we] exchanged ideas on some of the technical issues and process, =
of the exercise of my good offices and I would expect [them] to work =
with me in that spirit. Besides, they have a direct interest in the =
settlement of this issue."
PRES. PAPADOPOULOS: "I agree with the Secretary-General. =
Our position is very clear. We want the European Union to have a more =
active role in the process and I have assurances that they are prepared =
to do that. The Cyprus problem remains under the aegis of the United =
Nations and the Secretary-General."
SG: "As I said, the EU has always been sup****tive and I =
expect them to continue to be sup****tive. There is no problem about =
it."
Q: "Mr. Secretary-General, what do you think of the recent =
Turkish proposals and, second, are you planning to invite Mr. Talat for =
the same meeting and are you going to appoint a new Cyprus envoy?"
SG: "First of all, we just wished Mr. Talat well. Be =
patient and be merciful. Let him get well first. Once he's back on his =
feet, it is not excluded that we will have an op****tunity to meet in New =
York some time in the future. As I said, we took stock of the =
negotiations, of the process of settlement of the Cyprus issue and we =
also touched on the Turkish initiative. We are going to take a look at =
a whole series of actions and Turkey does admit that it has an =
obligation, under the EU requirement, to undertake certain steps which =
it will take. But, of course, there were other measures proposed in =
their plan of action and, today, we looked at a whole series of other =
activities that the two sides can undertake, I am talking of the Turkish =
Cypriot side and [the Greek Cypriot side] and we will see what proposals =
we bring together for the parties to act on.
On the question of appointment of an envoy, yes, in the =
application of my Good Offices I usually do have an envoy and, at the =
right time, I will appoint an envoy, but that does not mean that we are =
not doing any work on the question. First of all, I have a very =
competent Special Representative on the ground, Mr. Michael Moller, whom =
I hope most of you have met, and he's going to work with the parties on =
certain steps and certain actions that they will need to take. We will =
be back-stopping and preparing for these things in New York with my =
Under-Secretary-General, Ibrahim Gambari and his staff, and when the =
time is ripe I will appoint an envoy."
Q: "Did you also discuss the issue of the missing people?"=20
SG: "Yes, we are just about to appoint a third member of the =
[Missing Persons] Committee and they will begin their work very soon and =
I do expect the two communities to work very expeditiously on this and =
move forward. There will be a full-time member [of the Committee] on =
the island."
Q: "Do you consider this meeting with President Papadopoulos =
a step forward in the process of the Cyprus forward?"
SG: "In negotiations, sometimes people say that as long as =
you are talking you are making progress. But what I have indicated, =
what I would want to see, is a much narrower gap between our words and =
our actions. In the next couple of months, we are going to whatever we =
can to narrow the gap as we move ahead with the process."
Q: "Mr. Secretary-General did you get in this meeting some =
new ideas from Pres. Papadopoulos [inaudible]and that the process will =
start soon. Is there enough time to do it before the end of your =
term?"
SG: "Let me say that, yes, there were quite a few proposals =
that were put on the table this afternoon, which we are going to analyze =
carefully and see how we can put them into action, after consulting the =
other side, working together and come up with a programme of action =
which we can begin to work on the ground. Obviously, when you are =
handling these sorts of negotiations, where there is a will among the =
parties things can move very fast. When the will is not there, it can =
take you a long time. Let's start with the initiatives I just said that =
we discussed today and begin to take concrete steps and see how things =
can be accelerated. And I hope that it will help bridge what I refer to =
as the gap between words and actions."
Q: "It is a symbolic question. We see you for the first =
time standing outside of the UN in front of the flag of the Republic of =
Cyprus. Is this some kind of measures that we have to keep in mind?"
SG: "Let me assure you that I will not want his job. I am =
looking forward at the end of the year, of having a balance between =
action and reflection and taking some rest. So, do not worry, I am not =
heading to Nicosia to take on another job."
PRES. PAPADOPOULOS: "I will send my best wishes to Mr. =
Talat for a quick recovery. I wish him a speedy recovery. [inaudible]"
Q: "Mr. Annan how optimistic are you?"=20
SG: "I am always optimistic."=20
U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) praised President =
Papadopoulos for his initiative in remarks on the Senate floor on March =
9, 2006 which follow:
=20
Ms. SNOWE. "Mr. President, I rise today to commend the President =
of Cyprus, Tassos Papadopoulos, for promoting a new U.N.-sponsored =
initiative to resolve the division of the island of Cyprus. Cyprus has =
been divided for more than 30 years, following a 1974 invasion by =
Turkey. The time is ripe for resolving this longstanding split, and I =
applaud President Papadopoulos for taking the initiative to end the =
division.=20
On February 28, 2006, President Papadopoulos met with U.N. =
Secretary-General Kofi Annan and proposed that the U.N. appoint a =
special envoy for Cyprus to lay the groundwork for negotiations to end =
the division of Cyprus. President Papadopoulos also proposed a number of =
cross-community confidence-building measures to strengthen the =
foundation for reunification. After the meeting, Secretary-General Annan =
and President Papadopoulos issued a joint statement agreeing on the =
resumption of bicommunal discussions on the technical aspects necessary =
to prepare the ground for full peace negotiations.=20
There have been significant developments in Cyprus over the past =
2 years that make this the right time for reunification. Nearly 2 years =
ago, Cyprus joined the European Union, and in that time, the Government =
of Cyprus has promoted the opening up of several crossing points through =
the U.N.-patrolled cease-fire line. As a result, the Government of =
Cyprus has transformed the everyday realities on Cyprus to that unlike =
any other divided nation.=20
Unlike other divisions with which my colleagues may be familiar, =
such as East and West Berlin, the people of Cyprus are able to cross the =
dividing line to visit their ancestral lands, work, and shop. Indeed, =
since the opening of crossing points, there have been more than 9 =
million incident-free crossings. Every day, more than 10,000 Turkish =
Cypriots cross from the occupied territory to the government-controlled =
area to work. This increased economic activity and trade across the =
dividing line has contributed in more than doubling the per-capita =
income of the Turkish-Cypriots in the past 2 short years.=20
As confidence building measures, President Papadopoulos has =
proposed to take additional steps to build on the gains of the past 2 =
years. The Government of Cyprus has already proposed the reopening of =
the occupied ****t of Famagusta and the return of the adjacent city of =
Varosha to its original inhabitants; a ``ghost'' city that has been =
abandoned since the 1974 Turkish invasion. Famagusta would operate under =
the joint administration of the two communities, bringing the two =
communities closer together, and also under the EU's regulatory =
auspices, enhancing trade op****tunities. President Papadopoulos has also =
proposed to open additional crossing points to make travel and trade =
between the two communities easier.=20
Last week, the European Union announced economic aid to the =
Turkish Cypriots of 139 million eurodollars--approximately $165 million. =
The Government of Cyprus had pushed strongly for this aid, despite =
unfortunate attempts by others to attach preconditions and political =
stipulations to its release. This aid from the EU further demonstrates =
the positive effect of Cyprus's EU member****p on the prospects for =
reunification.=20
I applaud the steps that the Government of Cyprus and President =
Papadopoulos have taken to encourage a just and lasting solution to the =
Cyprus division. His meeting with Secretary-General Annan is a positive =
first step toward the resumption of reunification negotiations. On =
Cyprus today, the two communities are closer together than at any time =
since the invasion. Although prior reunification efforts have failed, =
the developments of the past 2 years offer the greatest prospect for a =
peaceful and lasting solution to the division."=20
On March 18, 2006, Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland), at =
the American Hellenic Institute's annual awards dinner congratulated =
President Papadopoulos as follows:
"One of the things I feel strongly about as a nation is that we do =
need to rededicate ourselves in international relations to the rule of =
law. I believe that as a nation we had a great op****tunity out of the =
tragedy of September 11th. Because after that terrible tragedy the =
world rallied behind the United States. The United Nations unanimously =
passed a resolution condemning the attacks on the United States. NATO =
for the first time in its history invoked the article of the Charter =
that said an attack on one country is an attack on all. Yet if you look =
around the world today that great sup****t that we had has eva****ated, =
and I think we need as a country to get back to many of our earlier =
roots in the area of foreign policy. We need to understand that the =
rule of law is not an 'a la carte' selection. You can't pick and chose =
when you are going to abide by international law.=20
=20
I must say for our Ambassadors who are representing the United =
States overseas I really do feel for them when they are asked sometimes =
to go to another country and insist for example that people follow human =
rights provisions, when in fact the United States record unfortunately =
these days has been tarnished somewhat. And it is especially im****tant =
that we maintain note of those convictions because when we talk about =
situations like that in the Eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus we are going =
to need to depend on the rule of law for our argument.=20
I want to say with respect to Cyprus I join with my colleagues from =
the Senate side Olympia Snowe and Senator Sarbanes in congratulating =
President Papadopoulos on his recent meeting with Secretary General Kofi =
Annan and his interest in restarting the discussions with respect to =
bringing a resolution to the Cyprus problem. And in their joint =
communiqu=E9 they specifically mentioned the goal of the =
demilitarization of the island which we need to continue to remember =
that the biggest problem in Cyprus is the continuing occupation of the =
Turkish forces on the island. =20
That was an im****tant development, unfortunately, if you've been =
reading recently the Turkish government has actually so far spurned the =
request of a UN Special Representative, Michael Moller, to visit Ankara =
to begin to discuss these issues. That's unfortunate but I think it's =
im****tant for Turkey and others to understand that the original Kofi =
Annan plan is dead. It was rejected overwhelmingly by the people in =
Cyprus that rejected it by a vote of 76%.=20
=20
Now the United States and the Bush administration has been talking =
about the promotion of democracy. If we are going to be promoting =
democracy we have to honor the verdicts of people when they vote, and =
the people of Cyprus exercised their right to vote and they made a =
decision, and we must make sure as a nation the United States should not =
punish people for exercising their right to vote. =20
Now, there are some in the administration, there are some on Capitol =
Hill that would like to punish the Greek Cypriots for that vote. And, =
you are seeing more and more discussion about direct contacts between =
the United States and the North. I mean people visiting Cyprus going in =
through the North, talking about direct trade with the North.=20
And when we do that we undermine the position that we've always =
held, we undermine the rule of law and international agreements that =
were mentioned earlier. We also undermine the efforts of the European =
Union to make sure that as a condition of entering the European Union =
Turkey abides by the rules of the European Union. And, one of those =
rules is that you trade through the legitimate ****ts of entry.=20
Now, just last February you probably read that Turkey actually =
refused to accept a ****p with the Republic of Cyprus flag at one of =
their ****ts of entry. That, as the European Parliament just voted a =
couple of days ago, overwhelmingly, that is a violation of the terms =
under which Turkey would become a member of the European Union. =20
Now, Turkey's position is this, they say well look you are not =
allowing us to directly ex****t to the ****ts in the north so why should =
we accept your goods. The difference is they have a legal obligation =
now. It's sort of like saying I'll agree to follow a law but only if =
you do this. That's not the way we should be doing business, but we can =
only come from a position of strength on that issue if we say it is =
im****tant to abide by the rule of law.
So, I just want to end where I started with the fact that AHI has =
always stood up for the im****tance of following the rule of law. And we =
can't say one day we are going to follow the rule of law and the other =
day we won't because by doing that we undermine our position.=20
=20
So let me just thank all of you for all you've done over many years =
to sup****t the work of AHI. It's been a great privilege for me to work =
with many of you in this room on the fine work that you do. I look =
forward to continuing to work with you on the days ahead. Thank you =
very much for this honor."
Annan Plan "not a viable solution to the Cyprus problem"=20
The Annan Plan-5, submitted by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan as the =
basis for a settlement in 2004, was undemocratic, unworkable, not =
financially viable and not compatible with American principles, the EU's =
acquis communautaire, UN resolutions and the European Convention on =
Human Rights. Congresswoman Illeana Ros-Lehtinen, a senior member of the =
House International Relations Committee, in a March 12, 2005 letter to =
President Bush called the Annan Plan "not a viable solution to the =
Cyprus problem" and further stated: "The Annan Plan in its present form =
is unsuitable for a successful resolution of the Cyprus problem and =
needs major modifications to be viable." =20
Mrs. Ros-Lehtinen detailed the reasons why the Annan Plan was not a =
viable solution: "the continuing presence of Turkish troops;" "Turkish =
Cypriots and mainland Turkish settlers" keeping "Greek Cypriot homes and =
other property that they seized following the Turkish invasion of =
Cyprus" and "not have to reimburse the owners of the property;" Annan =
requires "the Greek Cypriots to be reimbursed by the federal treasury =
which is funded overwhelmingly by the Greek Cypriots" which means "the =
Greek Cypriots would be reimbursing themselves." (See Exhibit 7 for a =
detailed analysis of the Annan Plan's many obvious shortcomings. =
Exhibits 1-7 may be accessed at AHI's website at ahiworld.org.)
The Congresswoman also referred to "the unwarranted criticism and =
attacks on the Greek-Cypriots for their 'no' vote of 76%," and stated =
that: "The public has been misled by claims that Greek-Cypriots were the =
ones responsible for the ultimate failure of the unification plan."
In the letter to President Bush, she also stated: "Perhaps it is now =
time for a new approach to the issue." She urged the President "to =
remain engaged in efforts to resolve the conflict in Cyprus, and to =
continue the search for a just and lasting reunification that will =
promote peace and stability."=20
Dora Bakoyannis, Greece's new Foreign Minister, has stated, most =
recently on April 4, 2006 in Cyprus that the UN Annan Plan was =
"history." "'The Annan Plan, as it was submitted for approval by the =
Cypriot people, was rejected. From the moment it was rejected, it is =
history,' Bakoyannis said." (National Herald, April 8, 2006, page 13; =
col.1)
With the State Department's new political leader****p of Secretary =
Condoleezza Rice and the new career leader****p of Under Secretary for =
Political Affairs Nicholas Burns there is an op****tunity to redress the =
situation.
Syrian Troops Out of Lebanon- Turkish Troops Out of Cyprus=20
In March of 2005 President Bush called for the immediate =
removal of Syrian troops from Lebanon. Last year the U.S. actively =
sup****ted UN Security Council Resolution 1559 which called for the =
removal of all non-Lebanese forces from Lebanon, in effect telling Syria =
to get out of Lebanon.
Getting Syrian troops out of Lebanon is in the best =
interests of the U.S. Getting Turkish troops out of Cyprus is also in =
the best interests of the U.S.
The failure to call for the removal of Turkish troops from =
Cyprus is a striking example of the double standard in Turkey's favor. =
It is particularly distressing as the Turkish troops which invaded =
Cyprus caused substantial loss of lives, 180,000 Greek Cypriot refugees =
and huge destruction of property. The reasons to call for the removal =
of Turkish troops from Cyprus are as compelling, and more so, than =
getting Syrian troops out of Lebanon.
Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a senior member of the House =
International Relations Committee, in a speech in Wa****ngton on March 5, =
2005 at the American Hellenic Institute's annual dinner, called for an =
end to "the continuing presence of Turkish troops on the island. =
They've got to go," she said.
Removal from Cyprus of Turkey's 120,000 illegal colonists/settlers=20
President Bush should also call for the immediate withdrawal of =
Turkey's 120,000 illegal colonists/settlers in Cyprus in violation of =
the Geneva Convention of 1949. =20
Tear down Turkey's barbed wire fence across the face of Cyprus =20
The removal of Turkey's troops, colonists and barbed wire fence would =
end the Turkish Cypriot's economic isolation and go a long way to =
solving the Cyprus problem because the Greek and Turkish Cypriots could =
then work out a fair and effective agreement.
Why hasn't President Bush called for the removal of Turkey's =
illegal troops and colonists from Cyprus and the tearing down of the =
Green Line barbed wire fence (as President Reagan called for the Soviets =
to tear down the Berlin Wall)? The answer is that he has followed the =
failed State Department policy of a double standard on the application =
of the rule of law to Turkey. That policy started in 1974, when Turkey =
invaded Cyprus with the illegal use of U.S. arms, and has continued to =
the present time.
The person who led the effort in promoting the double standard this past =
decade is former Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Marc =
Grossman. Mr. Grossman retired on February 25, 2005 and has been =
succeeded by Nicholas Burns, former State Department spokesperson, U.S. =
Ambassador to Greece and U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO. =
Hopefully Mr. Burns will initiate a review of the U.S.-Turkey policy, a =
review which is long overdue.
Instead of calling for the removal of (1) Turkish invasion and =
occupation troops from Cyprus, (2) the illegal colonists and (3) the =
Turkish barbed wired fence across the face of Cyprus, the State =
Department says they are part of the negotiations, which means, in =
effect, the State Department's sup****t for Turkish aggression.
The State Department's "double speak" on Turkey's invasion of Cyprus in =
1974 compared to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990 is right out of =
George Orwell's 1984.
A review of U.S. policy towards Turkey should begin with the Eisenhower =
Doctrine: "There can be no peace without law. And there can be no law =
if we were to invoke one code of international conduct for those who =
oppose us and another for our friends." Eisenhower applied that =
doctrine to halt and reverse aggression by Britain, France and Israel =
against Egypt in 1956.
A top UN official informed Syria that the UN would consider "wide =
punitive sanctions" if Syria did not comply with UN SC Res. 1559. The =
U.S. should also consider such sanctions against Turkey if Turkey does =
not get out of Cyprus now.
To achieve a Cyprus settlement, the U.S. should apply forceful economic, =
political, and diplomatic pressure on Turkey, including sanctions and =
the withdrawal of trade benefits if necessary, to get Turkey to remove =
its 40,000 armed forces and its 120,000 illegal colonists from Cyprus, =
and to tear down the Turkish barbed wire fence across the face of Cyprus =
which are the causes of the Turkish Cypriots isolation.
The limited opening of the Green Line in Nicosia in April 2003 =
resulted in thousands of peaceful daily crossings by Turkish and Greek =
Cypriots and has demonstrated beyond a doubt that Greek and Turkish =
Cypriots can live and work together peacefully as they did before. It =
destroyed the propaganda of Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, that =
they could not live together and needed to be separated. =20
NATO's toleration of Turkey's aggression against Cyprus in violation of =
the NATO Treaty and the UN Charter is evidence of a double standard and =
a stain on NATO's record and honor. NATO should call for the immediate =
removal of Turkey's illegal occupation forces and settlers from Cyprus =
and the demilitarization of Cyprus. If Turkey refuses to cooperate, =
NATO should consider appropriate action to bring Turkey into compliance. =
We call on the U.S. to encourage NATO members to apply pressure on =
Turkey to abide by the clear requirements of the NATO Treaty, to desist =
from aggression against other states and to reform the constitution of =
Turkey to reflect Western standards of civilian democracy.
The U.S. should make the search for a just solution to the Cyprus =
problem a foreign policy priority and should expand its economic, =
political, diplomatic, and security relations with Cyprus. The U.S. in =
its own interests should sup****t amendments to the Annan Plan to make it =
democratic, workable, financially viable, just and compatible with =
American principles, EU democratic norms and human rights standards. =
Reunification of the island on just and viable terms and the nation's =
member****p in the EU as an integrated whole are worthy goals. They will =
benefit all parties concerned and will advance the U.S. interests in =
regional stability and adherence to the rule of law. To promote these =
interests, the U.S. should more forcefully exert its influence with =
Turkey, including the Turkish military.
The Greek Cypriots worked hard to recover from the devastation of the =
Turkish invasion and adhered in all their efforts to the rule of law. =
They achieved an economic miracle. Yet when the Greek Cypriots =
overwhelmingly voted no by 76% to the flawed Annan Plan, the State =
Department, led by then Under Secretary Marc Grossman, attacked them for =
exercising their democratic right to vote and personally attacked Cyprus =
President Tassos Papadopoulos. =20
The Cyprus problem is the central issue of U.S.-Cyprus relations, but it =
is not the only component of the relation****p. Cyprus is within the =
U.S. strategic perimeter in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle =
East. Cyprus is a strategic key for U.S. interests in the region. It =
is a stationary aircraft carrier in the region and its mountains provide =
areas for the most effective listening and transmitting devices in the =
region. We suggest that the Administration increase efforts to deepen =
its relations with Cyprus by ensuring regular visits to Cyprus by senior =
officials whose responsibilities are not directly related to the =
solution of the Cyprus problem.
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<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>
<P align=3Dcenter><B><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D4>Greek =
American Member****p=20
Organizations=92 2006 Policy Statement on the Cyprus =
Problem</FONT></B></P>
<P><B><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">WA****NGTON, DC</FONT></B><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D2>--</FONT><FONT face=3D"Times New =
Roman"> American=20
Hellenic Institute President Gene Rossides announced today that the =
major Greek=20
American member****p organizations endorse the 2006 policy statement on=20
the</FONT><B> <FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">Cyprus =
Problem</FONT></B><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">. Prepared by the American Hellenic Institute, =
it is part=20
of the</FONT><B> <FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">2006 Greek American =
Policy=20
Statements</FONT></B><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">. The major =
member****p=20
organizations are: the Order of AHEPA, the Hellenic American National =
Council,=20
the Cyprus Federation of America, the Panepirotic Federation of America, =
the=20
Pan-Macedonian Association of America, the PanCretan Association of =
America and=20
the American Hellenic Institute. The endorsed statement =
follows:</FONT></P>
<P align=3Dcenter><U><B><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D5>The =
Cyprus=20
Problem</FONT></B></U></P>
<P><U><B><FONT face=3DTimes size=3D4>Background</FONT></B></U> </P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">The U.S. failed to take advantage of =
at=20
least</FONT><B> <FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">three =
factors</FONT></B><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman"> since 2003 which presented the U.S. with =
op****tunities=20
for positive movement on the Cyprus problem. The</FONT><B> <FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">first</FONT></B><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman"> =
factor was=20
that Operation Iraqi Freedom demonstrated (1) Turkey=92s unreliability =
as a=20
strategic ally when it counted most when Turkey refused on March 1, 2003 =
to=20
allow up to 62,000 U.S. troops to use bases in Turkey to open a northern =
front=20
against Saddam Hussein=92s dictator****p; (2) that Turkey is of minimal =
strategic=20
value for U.S. interests in the Middle East, since the defeat of the =
Saddam=20
Hussein dictator****p without Turkey=92s help and the availability of =
military=20
facilities elsewhere in the region; and (3) that Turkey is an =
=93extortionist=94=20
state who tried to get for its cooperation $6 billion more over the $26 =
billion=20
offered, a veto over U.S. policy on the northern Iraq Kurds and access =
to=20
northern Iraq oil. (N.Y. Times, Feb. 20, 2003; A1; col. 6.)</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">Turkey's unreliability as an ally is =
not new!=20
There is a history of Turkey's actual sup****t of and assistance to the =
Soviet=20
military during the Cold War to the serious detriment of the U.S. (See =
Exh.=20
1)</FONT></P>
<UL>
<UL>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">The</FONT><B> <FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">second</FONT></B><FONT face=3D"Times New =
Roman"> factor=20
was Cyprus=92s accession to the European Union (EU) on May 1,</FONT> =
</P></UL></UL>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">2004. This is a seminal =
event. It=20
gives Cyprus permanent status as a state of the EU. </FONT></P>
<P> <FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">The</FONT><B> <FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">third</FONT></B><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman"> =
factor=20
which surfaced fully in 2005 is the virulent anti-Americanism and =
anti-Semitism=20
in Turkey today.</FONT></P>
<P> <BR><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman"> On February 16, 2005<I> The Wall Street =
Journal</I>=20
(WSJ) carried an editorial page article (A14; col.3) =93The Sick Man of=20
Europe=97Again=94 by Mr. Robert L. Pollock, a senior editorial page =
writer at the=20
WSJ. Finally a mainstream journalist, and a conservative one at =
that, has=20
given the U.S. public the real picture of Turkey=92s virulent =
anti-American and=20
anti-Semitic attitudes. He tells it as it is. (See Exhibit 2 =
for a=20
copy of Mr. Pollock=92s article.)</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">On March 8, 2005, the noted =
journalist, Arnaud=20
de Borchgrave, editor at large of</FONT><I> <FONT face=3D"Times New =
Roman">The=20
Wa****ngton Times</FONT></I><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman"> and of United =
Press=20
International, in an article titled =93Cold Turkey=94 (</FONT><I><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">Wa****ngton Times</FONT></I><FONT face=3D"Times =
New Roman">,=20
Mar. 8, 2005, A17, col.1) pointed out that =93Turkey, an erstwhile ally, =
nabbed=20
the gold medal recently in the global anti-American stakes=94 citing a =
BBC world=20
survey. (See Exhibit 3 for a copy of Mr. de Borchgrave=92s=20
article.)</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">On September 27, 2005, Frank J. =
Gaffney, Jr., in=20
an article in the</FONT><I> <FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">Wa****ngton=20
Times</FONT></I><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman"> titled =93=91No=92 to =
Islamist Turkey=94=20
highlighted why Europe should not accept Turkey into the EU. (See =
Exhibit=20
4)</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">On March 14, 2006, Frank J. Gaffney, =
Jr., in=20
another article on Turkey, this one titled =93Islamofascist Coup?=94 =
details Turkish=20
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan=92s =93creeping Islamofascist coup =
against the=20
country=92s secular institutions and traditions.=94 (See Exhibit =
5)</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">In February 2006 a new Turkish film =
=93Valley of=20
the Wolves: Iraq,=94 a virulent anti-American and anti-Semitic film, was =
released=20
to record breaking audiences in Turkey.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">On March 18, 2006 another article on =
Turkey by=20
Robert L. Pollock was published in the</FONT><I> <FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">Wall Street Journal</FONT></I><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman"> titled =93After Ataturk: The Weekend Interview =
with Recep=20
Tayyip Erdogan.=94 It was based on Mr. Pollock=92s interview with =
Turkey=92s=20
Prime Minister Erdogan and, in effect, is just as disturbing as his =
first=20
article. (See Exhibit 6)</FONT></P>
<P><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New =
Roman"> =
=20
In 2006, the U.S. can still take advantage of these</FONT><B> <FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">three factors</FONT></B><FONT face=3D"Times New =
Roman"> and=20
should do so in the interest of the U.S. </FONT></P>
<P> <FONT face=3D"Times New =
Roman">There=20
is no need now, if there ever was, for the U.S. to continue its harmful =
policy=20
of double standards for and appeasement of Turkey on Turkey's invasion =
of=20
Cyprus, its occupation of 37.3% of Cyprus, its violation of human rights =
in=20
Turkey and Cyprus , its outlandish claim to one-half of the Aegean Sea =
and its=20
disdain for the rule of law. The U.S. should alter its harmful =
=93double=20
standards=94 policy on the rule of law for Turkey and Turkey=92s =
aggression against=20
Cyprus and occupation of 37.3% of Cyprus,</FONT><U></U><U><B> <FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">now in its 32<SUP>nd</SUP> year</FONT></B><FONT =
face=3D"Times New Roman">.</FONT></U></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">On July 20, 1974, Turkey invaded the =
Republic of=20
Cyprus with the illegal use of U.S.-supplied arms and equipment in =
violation of the U.S. Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, the UN =
Charter=20
article 2 (4), the preamble and article 1 of the NATO Treaty and =
customary=20
international law. Turkey occupied about four percent of Cyprus during =
the=20
initial phase of its invasion. Turkish pilots flying American =
planes=20
dropped American-made bombs (including napalm bombs), terrorizing and =
killing=20
innocent Greek Cypriot civilians in Nicosia, Famagusta, Kyrenia, and =
elsewhere.=20
</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">Turkey=92s invasion had the sup****t =
and=20
encouragement of then Secretary of State Henry Kissinger who knew in =
advance=20
Turkey planned to invade Cyprus and refused to use the U.S. Sixth Fleet =
or=20
otherwise act to prevent the invasion, as requested by U.S. Ambassador =
to=20
Greece, Henry Tasca. Kissinger refused to denounce Turkey's aggression, =
as=20
Britain and most other nations did, and he refused to enforce U.S. laws=20
requiring an immediate halt in U.S. arms to Turkey, though he had the =
statutory=20
obligation to do so. He also violated his oath of office by =
failing to do=20
so.</FONT></P>
<P> <FONT face=3D"Times New =
Roman">On=20
August 14, 1974, three weeks after the legitimate government of Cyprus =
was=20
restored, Turkey launched the second phase of its invasion of =
Cyprus. This=20
was also encouraged by Secretary Kissinger, who the day before had =
authorized a=20
statement by the State Department's spokesman, Ambassador Robert =
Anderson, that=20
the Turkish Cypriots needed more protection. He failed to denounce =
the=20
second phase of Turkey=92s aggression and failed to uphold U.S. laws =
requiring an=20
immediate halt in U.S.- supplied arms. In the second phase of the=20
aggression, Turkey grabbed another 33 percent of the island, expanding =
its land=20
grab to a total of 37.3 percent of Cyprus=92s sovereign territory, =
killed innocent=20
civilians, raped women from the ages of 12-71, forced 180,000 Greek =
Cypriots=20
from their homes and property and committed massive destruction of =
property=20
including churches. The European Commission on Human Rights issued =
a=20
re****t on July 10, 1976 on the charges made in two applications by the =
Cyprus=20
government. In the re****t the Commission found Turkey guilty of =
violating=20
the following articles of the European Convention on Human =
Rights:</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman"></FONT> <BR><FONT face=3D"Times New =
Roman">(1)=20
Article 2 =96 by the killing of innocent civilians committed on a =
substantial=20
scale;</FONT> <BR><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">(2) Article 3 =96 by =
the rape of=20
women of all ages from 12 to 71;</FONT> <BR><FONT face=3D"Times New =
Roman">(3)=20
Article 3 =96 by the inhuman treatment of prisoners and persons =
detained;</FONT>=20
<UL>
<UL>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">(4) Article 5 =96 by deprivation =
of liberty=20
with regard to detainees and missing persons =96 a =
</FONT><BR><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman"> continuing=20
violation;</FONT> <BR><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">(5) Article 8 =
=96 by the=20
displacement of persons creating more than 170,000 Greek =
Cypriot =20
</FONT><BR><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman"> =
refugees,=20
and by refusing to allow the refugees to return to their homes =96 a =
continuing </FONT><BR><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman"> violation;</FONT> =
<BR><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">(6) Article 1 of the First Protocol to the =
Convention=20
=96 by deprivation of possessions, </FONT><BR><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman"> looting and =
robbery on an=20
extensive scale.</FONT> </P></UL></UL>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">On January 23, 1977, the London Sunday =
Times=20
published excerpts of the re****t (page 1, col.1) and stated:</FONT><B> =
<FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">=93It amounts to a massive indictment of the =
Ankara=20
government for the murder, rape and looting by its army in Cyprus during =
and=20
after the Turkish invasion of summer 1974.=94</FONT></B></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">The Turkish army has continued to =
occupy this=20
territory ever since. It is an affront to the international legal =
order=20
and a continuing threat to regional stability.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">The invasion and Turkey=92s continuing =
occupation=20
have drawn universal international condemnation, as reflected in UN =
resolutions,=20
statements by members of Congress and from many nations, and various =
court=20
decisions in Europe, but not from the Executive Branch of the U.S.=20
government. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">Turkey contributes some $350 million =
annually in=20
direct economic sup****t to the regime in the occupied parts of Cyprus, =
and it is=20
estimated that the total cost to Turkey of its illegal occupation =
amounts to one=20
billion dollars annually. To secure its land grab of Cypriot =
territory,=20
Turkey has illegally settled northern occupied Cyprus with one hundred =
thousand=20
Turks from Anatolia in violation of the Geneva Convention of 1949, =
section III,=20
art. 4, which prohibits colonization by an occupying power. These=20
colonists are beholden to their Turkish sponsors whose heavy annual =
outlays=20
subsidize them. As money is fungible, U.S. economic aid subsidized =
Turkey's occupation of Cyprus for decades.</FONT></P>
<P> =20
<BR><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">There is no legal distinction between Turkey's =
1974=20
invasion of Cyprus and Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. The Cyprus problem is =
one of=20
invasion and occupation by Turkey. Viewed objectively, Turkey in 1974 =
committed=20
war crimes in Cyprus in view of the evidence presented to the European=20
Commission of Human Rights and upheld by the Commission in its re****t =
referred=20
to above.</FONT></P>
<P> <BR><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">Then Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger =
bears =20
the major responsibility for the Cyprus problem in 1974 because he =
encouraged=20
and sup****ted Turkeys invasion of Cyprus, violated his oath of office by =
failing=20
to halt immediately arms to Turkey as required by U.S. law and refused =
to=20
denounce Turkey's aggression. The U.S. bears a moral responsibility to =
redress=20
the situation.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">Britain also bears a major =
responsibility for=20
Turkey=92s invasion of 1974 and for failing to meet its responsibility =
under the=20
Treaty of Guarantee to warn Turkey against invading and to take action =
to repel=20
the invasion on July 20, 1974, and to have rejected Turkey=92s ultimatum =
on August=20
13, 1974 during UN negotiations and to have acted on August 14, 1974 to =
oppose=20
Turkey=92s renewed aggression.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman"> We sup****t a settlement of the =
Cyprus=20
problem through negotiations based on a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation =
in a=20
state with a single sovereignty and international personality, =
incor****ating the=20
norms of a constitutional democracy embracing key American principles, =
the=20
EU</FONT><I> <FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">acquis =
communautaire</FONT></I><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">, the European constitution, UN resolutions on =
Cyprus,=20
the pertinent decisions of the European Court of Human Rights and of =
other=20
European Courts.</FONT></P>
<P><U><B><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">President Tassos Papadopoulos=92 =
new=20
initiative with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan praised</FONT></B></U> =
</P>
<P> <FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos initiated =
a meeting=20
with Secretary-General Kofi Annan on February 28, 2006 aimed at reviving =
talks=20
to achieve a settlement of the Cyprus problem. In 2005 President=20
Papadopoulos had submitted extensive material to Mr. Annan regarding a =
renewal=20
of discussions following the overwhelming rejection of the UN Annan =
plan, by a=20
vote of 76%, by the Greek Cypriots on April 24, 2004.</FONT></P>
<P> <FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">Following their meeting, Messrs Annan and =
Papadopoulos=20
issued a joint statement and held a press conference. The UN press =
release=20
dated February 28, 2006 follows:</FONT></P>
<UL>
<UL>
<P><U><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">Joint statement readout by UN =
Spokesman=20
Stephane Dujarric:</FONT></U> </P>
<P align=3Djustify> <FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">=93United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. =
Kofi Annan and=20
President Tassos Papadopoulos met in Paris today to review the =
situation in=20
Cyprus and examine modalities for moving forward on the process =
leading to=20
the reunification of the Island.</FONT></P>
<P align=3Djustify> <FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">They agreed, as they have in the past, that =
the=20
resumption of the negotiating process within the framework of the=20
Secretary-General=92s Good Offices must be timely and based on =
careful=20
preparation. To that end the Secretary-General was pleased to =
note=20
that the leaders of both communities have agreed that bi-communal=20
discussions on a series of issues, agreement on which are needed for =
the=20
benefit of all Cypriots, will be undertaken at the technical =
level. =20
The Secretary-General and President Papadopoulos expressed their =
common hope=20
that these discussions would help restore trust between the two =
communities=20
as well as prepare the way for the earliest full resumption of the=20
negotiating process. The Secretary-General noted that he =
had=20
received assurances from the leader of the Turkish Cypriot =
community, Mr.=20
Talat, that he shared the same aspirations.</FONT></P>
<P align=3Djustify> <FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">The Secretary-General and Mr. Papadopoulos =
also=20
agreed that it would be beneficial for all concerned, and would =
greatly=20
improve the atmosphere for further talks, if progress could be =
achieved on=20
further disengagement of forces and demilitarization on the Island, =
on the=20
complete de-mining of Cyprus, and on the issue of Famagusta. =
They took=20
note of the recent decision by the European Union to release the =
much=20
awaited funds for the benefit of the Turkish Cypriot =
community. In=20
this context, they expressed their warm wishes for the full and =
speedy=20
recovery of Mr. Talat.</FONT></P>
<P align=3Djustify> </P>
<P> <FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">The Secretary-General and President =
Papadopoulos=20
agreed to continue their ongoing dialogue with the expressed aim at=20
accelerating the search for a comprehensive, fair and mutually =
acceptable=20
solution to the Cyprus problem.=94</FONT></P>
<P> <FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">Q: =93What will be the role of the EU =
during this=20
process?=94</FONT> </P>
<P> <FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">SG: =93As you know, during the exercise of =
my good=20
offices over the years, we have cooperated very effectively with the =
European Union and we intended to cooperate with them. In some =
situations they have provided experts and they have provided other=20
assistance. In some cases [we] exchanged ideas on some of the=20
technical issues and process, of the exercise of my good offices and =
I would=20
expect [them] to work with me in that spirit. Besides, they =
have a=20
direct interest in the settlement of this issue.=94</FONT></P>
<P> <FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">PRES. PAPADOPOULOS: =93I agree with the=20
Secretary-General. Our position is very clear. We want =
the=20
European Union to have a more active role in the process and I have=20
assurances that they are prepared to do that. The Cyprus =
problem=20
remains under the aegis of the United Nations and the=20
Secretary-General.=94</FONT></P>
<P> <FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">SG: =93As I said, the EU has always been =
sup****tive and=20
I expect them to continue to be sup****tive. There is no =
problem about=20
it.=94</FONT></P>
<P> <FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">Q: =93Mr. Secretary-General, what do you =
think of the=20
recent Turkish proposals and, second, are you planning to invite Mr. =
Talat=20
for the same meeting and are you going to appoint a new Cyprus=20
envoy?=94</FONT></P>
<P> <FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">SG: =93First of all, we just wished Mr. =
Talat=20
well. Be patient and be merciful. Let him get well =
first. =20
Once he=92s back on his feet, it is not excluded that we will have =
an=20
op****tunity to meet in New York some time in the future. As I =
said, we=20
took stock of the negotiations, of the process of settlement of the =
Cyprus=20
issue and we also touched on the Turkish initiative. We are =
going to=20
take a look at a whole series of actions and Turkey does admit that =
it has=20
an obligation, under the EU requirement, to undertake certain steps =
which it=20
will take. But, of course, there were other measures proposed =
in their=20
plan of action and, today, we looked at a whole series of other =
activities=20
that the two sides can undertake, I am talking of the Turkish =
Cypriot side=20
and [the Greek Cypriot side] and we will see what proposals we bring =
together for the parties to act on.</FONT></P>
<P> <FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">On the question of appointment of an envoy, =
yes, in=20
the application of my Good Offices I usually do have an envoy and, =
at the=20
right time, I will appoint an envoy, but that does not mean that we =
are not=20
doing any work on the question. First of all, I have a very =
competent=20
Special Representative on the ground, Mr. Michael Moller, whom I =
hope most=20
of you have met, and he=92s going to work with the parties on =
certain steps=20
and certain actions that they will need to take. We will be=20
back-stopping and preparing for these things in New York with my=20
Under-Secretary-General, Ibrahim Gambari and his staff, and when the =
time is=20
ripe I will appoint an envoy.=94</FONT></P>
<P> <FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">Q: =93Did you also discuss the issue of the =
missing=20
people?=94</FONT> </P>
<P> <FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">SG: =93Yes, we are just about to appoint a =
third member=20
of the [Missing Persons] Committee and they will begin their work =
very soon=20
and I do expect the two communities to work very expeditiously on =
this and=20
move forward. There will be a full-time member [of the =
Committee] on=20
the island.=94</FONT></P>
<P> <FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">Q: =93Do you consider this meeting with =
President=20
Papadopoulos a step forward in the process of the Cyprus=20
forward?=94</FONT></P>
<P> <FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">SG: =93In negotiations, sometimes people =
say that as=20
long as you are talking you are making progress. But what I =
have=20
indicated, what I would want to see, is a much narrower gap between =
our=20
words and our actions. In the next couple of months, we are =
going to=20
whatever we can to narrow the gap as we move ahead with the=20
process.=94</FONT></P>
<P> <FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">Q: =93Mr. Secretary-General did you get in =
this meeting=20
some new ideas from Pres. Papadopoulos [inaudible]and that the =
process will=20
start soon. Is there enough time to do it before the end =
of your=20
term?=94</FONT></P>
<P> <FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">SG: =93Let me say that, yes, there =
were quite a=20
few proposals that were put on the table this afternoon, which we =
are going=20
to analyze carefully and see how we can put them into action, after=20
consulting the other side, working together and come up with a =
programme of=20
action which we can begin to work on the ground. Obviously, =
when you=20
are handling these sorts of negotiations, where there is a will =
among the=20
parties things can move very fast. When the will is not there, =
it can=20
take you a long time. Let=92s start with the initiatives I =
just said=20
that we discussed today and begin to take concrete steps and see how =
things=20
can be accelerated. And I hope that it will help bridge what I =
refer=20
to as the gap between words and actions.=94</FONT></P>
<P> <FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">Q: =93It is a symbolic question. We =
see you for=20
the first time standing outside of the UN in front of the flag of =
the=20
Republic of Cyprus. Is this some kind of measures that we have =
to keep=20
in mind?=94</FONT></P>
<P> <FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">SG: =93Let me assure you that I will =
not want his=20
job. I am looking forward at the end of the year, of having a =
balance=20
between action and reflection and taking some rest. So, do not =
worry,=20
I am not heading to Nicosia to take on another job.=94</FONT></P>
<P> <FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">PRES. PAPADOPOULOS: =93I will send my =
best wishes=20
to Mr. Talat for a quick recovery. I wish him a speedy =
recovery.=20
[inaudible]=94</FONT></P>
<P> <FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">Q: =93Mr. Annan how optimistic are =
you?=94</FONT>=20
</P>
<P> <FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">SG: =93I am always optimistic.=94</FONT> =
</P></UL></UL>
<P> <B> <FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe</FONT></B><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman"> (R-Maine) praised President Papadopoulos for =
his=20
initiative in remarks on the Senate floor on March 9, 2006 which=20
follow:</FONT></P>
<UL>
<UL>
<P> <BR><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman" =
color=3D#333333> </FONT><B><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman" color=3D#333333>Ms. SNOWE.</FONT></B><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman" color=3D#333333> =93Mr. President, I rise =
today to=20
commend the President of Cyprus, Tassos Papadopoulos, for promoting =
a new=20
U.N.-sponsored initiative to resolve the division of the island of =
Cyprus.=20
Cyprus has been divided for more than 30 years, following a 1974 =
invasion by=20
Turkey. The time is ripe for resolving this longstanding split, and =
I=20
applaud President Papadopoulos for taking the initiative to end the=20
division. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman" =
color=3D#333333> On February=20
28, 2006, President Papadopoulos met with U.N. Secretary-General =
Kofi Annan=20
and proposed that the U.N. appoint a special envoy for Cyprus to lay =
the=20
groundwork for negotiations to end the division of Cyprus. President =
Papadopoulos also proposed a number of cross-community =
confidence-building=20
measures to strengthen the foundation for reunification. After the =
meeting,=20
Secretary-General Annan and President Papadopoulos issued a joint =
statement=20
agreeing on the resumption of bicommunal discussions on the =
technical=20
aspects necessary to prepare the ground for full peace negotiations. =
</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman" =
color=3D#333333> There have=20
been significant developments in Cyprus over the past 2 years that =
make this=20
the right time for reunification. Nearly 2 years ago, Cyprus joined =
the=20
European Union, and in that time, the Government of Cyprus has =
promoted the=20
opening up of several crossing points through the U.N.-patrolled =
cease-fire=20
line. As a result, the Government of Cyprus has transformed the =
everyday=20
realities on Cyprus to that unlike any other divided nation. =
</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman" =
color=3D#333333> Unlike other=20
divisions with which my colleagues may be familiar, such as East and =
West=20
Berlin, the people of Cyprus are able to cross the dividing line to =
visit=20
their ancestral lands, work, and shop. Indeed, since the opening of =
crossing=20
points, there have been more than 9 million incident-free crossings. =
Every=20
day, more than 10,000 Turkish Cypriots cross from the occupied =
territory to=20
the government-controlled area to work. This increased economic =
activity and=20
trade across the dividing line has contributed in more than doubling =
the=20
per-capita income of the Turkish-Cypriots in the past 2 short years. =
</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman" =
color=3D#333333> As=20
confidence building measures, President Papadopoulos has proposed to =
take=20
additional steps to build on the gains of the past 2 years. The =
Government=20
of Cyprus has already proposed the reopening of the occupied ****t of =
Famagusta and the return of the adjacent city of Varosha to its =
original=20
inhabitants; a ``ghost'' city that has been abandoned since the 1974 =
Turkish=20
invasion. Famagusta would operate under the joint administration of =
the two=20
communities, bringing the two communities closer together, and also =
under=20
the EU's regulatory auspices, enhancing trade op****tunities. =
President=20
Papadopoulos has also proposed to open additional crossing points to =
make=20
travel and trade between the two communities easier. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman" =
color=3D#333333> Last week,=20
the European Union announced economic aid to the Turkish Cypriots of =
139=20
million eurodollars--approximately $165 million. The Government of =
Cyprus=20
had pushed strongly for this aid, despite unfortunate attempts by =
others to=20
attach preconditions and political stipulations to its release. This =
aid=20
from the EU further demonstrates the positive effect of Cyprus's EU=20
member****p on the prospects for reunification. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman"> I applaud the =
steps that=20
the Government of Cyprus and President Papadopoulos have taken to =
encourage=20
a just and lasting solution to the Cyprus division. His meeting with =
Secretary-General Annan is a positive first step toward the =
resumption of=20
reunification negotiations. On Cyprus today, the two communities are =
closer=20
together than at any time since the invasion. Although prior =
reunification=20
efforts have failed, the developments of the past 2 years offer the =
greatest=20
prospect for a peaceful and lasting solution to the =
division.=94</FONT><FONT=20
face=3DVerdana> </FONT></P></UL></UL>
<P> <FONT face=3D"Times New =
Roman">On=20
March 18, 2006,</FONT><B> <FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">Congressman =
Chris Van=20
Hollen</FONT></B> <FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">(D-Maryland), at the =
American=20
Hellenic Institute=92s annual awards dinner congratulated President =
Papadopoulos=20
as follows:</FONT></P>
<UL>
<UL>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">=93One of the things I feel =
strongly about as=20
a nation is that we do need to rededicate ourselves in international =
relations to the rule of law. I believe that as a nation we =
had a=20
great op****tunity out of the tragedy of September =
11<SUP>th</SUP>. =20
Because after that terrible tragedy the world rallied behind the =
United=20
States. The United Nations unanimously passed a resolution =
condemning=20
the attacks on the United States. NATO for the first time in =
its=20
history invoked the article of the Charter that said an attack on =
one=20
country is an attack on all. Yet if you look around the world =
today=20
that great sup****t that we had has eva****ated, and I think we need =
as a=20
country to get back to many of our earlier roots in the area of =
foreign=20
policy. We need to understand that the rule of law is not an =
=91a la=20
carte=92 selection. You can=92t pick and chose when you are =
going to abide=20
by international law. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman"></FONT> <BR><FONT face=3D"Times =
New Roman">I=20
must say for our Ambassadors who are representing the United States =
overseas=20
I really do feel for them when they are asked sometimes to go to =
another=20
country and insist for example that people follow human rights =
provisions,=20
when in fact the United States record unfortunately these days has =
been=20
tarnished somewhat. And it is especially im****tant that we =
maintain=20
note of those convictions because when we talk about situations like =
that in=20
the Eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus we are going to need to depend on =
the rule=20
of law for our argument. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">I want to say with respect to =
Cyprus I join=20
with my colleagues from the Senate side Olympia Snowe and Senator =
Sarbanes=20
in congratulating President Papadopoulos on his recent meeting with=20
Secretary General Kofi Annan and his interest in restarting the =
discussions=20
with respect to bringing a resolution to the Cyprus problem. =
And in=20
their joint communiqu=E9 they specifically mentioned the goal of the =
demilitarization of the island which we need to continue to remember =
that=20
the biggest problem in Cyprus is the continuing occupation of the =
Turkish=20
forces on the island. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">That was an im****tant development, =
unfortunately, if you=92ve been reading recently the Turkish =
government has=20
actually so far spurned the request of a UN Special Representative, =
Michael=20
Moller, to visit Ankara to begin to discuss these issues. =
That=92s=20
unfortunate but I think it=92s im****tant for Turkey and others to =
understand=20
that the original Kofi Annan plan is dead. It was rejected=20
overwhelmingly by the people in Cyprus that rejected it by a vote of =
76%.=20
</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman"></FONT> <BR><FONT face=3D"Times =
New Roman">Now=20
the United States and the Bush administration has been talking about =
the=20
promotion of democracy. If we are going to be promoting =
democracy we=20
have to honor the verdicts of people when they vote, and the people =
of=20
Cyprus exercised their right to vote and they made a decision, and =
we must=20
make sure as a nation the United States should not punish people for =
exercising their right to vote. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">Now, there are some in the =
administration,=20
there are some on Capitol Hill that would like to punish the Greek =
Cypriots=20
for that vote. And, you are seeing more and more discussion =
about=20
direct contacts between the United States and the North. I =
mean people=20
visiting Cyprus going in through the North, talking about direct =
trade with=20
the North. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">And when we do that we undermine =
the=20
position that we=92ve always held, we undermine the rule of law and=20
international agreements that were mentioned earlier. We also=20
undermine the efforts of the European Union to make sure that as a =
condition=20
of entering the European Union Turkey abides by the rules of the =
European=20
Union. And, one of those rules is that you trade through =
the=20
legitimate ****ts of entry. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">Now, just last February you =
probably read=20
that Turkey actually refused to accept a ****p with the Republic of =
Cyprus=20
flag at one of their ****ts of entry. That, as the European =
Parliament=20
just voted a couple of days ago, overwhelmingly, that is a violation =
of the=20
terms under which Turkey would become a member of the European =
Union. =20
</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">Now, Turkey=92s position is this, =
they say=20
well look you are not allowing us to directly ex****t to the ****ts in =
the=20
north so why should we accept your goods. The difference is =
they have=20
a legal obligation now. It=92s sort of like saying I=92ll =
agree to follow=20
a law but only if you do this. That=92s not the way we should =
be doing=20
business, but we can only come from a position of strength on that =
issue if=20
we say it is im****tant to abide by the rule of law.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">So, I just want to end where I =
started with=20
the fact that AHI has always stood up for the im****tance of =
following the=20
rule of law. And we can=92t say one day we are going to follow =
the rule=20
of law and the other day we won=92t because by doing that we =
undermine our=20
position. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman"></FONT> <BR><FONT face=3D"Times =
New Roman">So=20
let me just thank all of you for all you=92ve done over many years =
to sup****t=20
the work of AHI. It=92s been a great privilege for me to work =
with many=20
of you in this room on the fine work that you do. I look =
forward to=20
continuing to work with you on the days ahead. Thank you very =
much for=20
this honor.=94</FONT></P></UL></UL>
<P><U><B><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">Annan Plan =93not a viable =
solution to the=20
Cyprus problem=94</FONT></B></U> </P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">The Annan Plan-5, submitted by UN=20
Secretary-General Kofi Annan as the basis for a settlement in 2004, was=20
undemocratic, unworkable, not financially viable and not compatible with =
American principles, the EU's acquis communautaire, UN resolutions and =
the=20
European Convention on Human Rights.</FONT><B> <FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">Congresswoman Illeana =
Ros-Lehtinen</FONT></B><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">, a senior member of the House International =
Relations=20
Committee, in a March 12, 2005 letter to President Bush called the Annan =
Plan=20
=93not a viable solution to the Cyprus problem=94 and further stated: =
=93The Annan=20
Plan in its present form is unsuitable for a successful resolution of =
the Cyprus=20
problem and needs major modifications to be viable.=94 </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">Mrs. Ros-Lehtinen detailed the reasons =
why the=20
Annan Plan was not a viable solution: =93the continuing presence of =
Turkish=20
troops;=94 =93Turkish Cypriots and mainland Turkish settlers=94 keeping =
=93Greek Cypriot=20
homes and other property that they seized following the Turkish invasion =
of=20
Cyprus=94 and =93not have to reimburse the owners of the property;=94 =
Annan requires=20
=93the Greek Cypriots to be reimbursed by the federal treasury which is =
funded=20
overwhelmingly by the Greek Cypriots=94 which means =93the Greek =
Cypriots would be=20
reimbursing themselves.=94 (See Exhibit 7 for a detailed analysis =
of the=20
Annan Plan=92s many obvious shortcomings. Exhibits 1-7 may be =
accessed at=20
AHI=92s website at ahiworld.org.)</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">The Congresswoman also referred to =
=93the=20
unwarranted criticism and attacks on the Greek-Cypriots for their =
=91no=92 vote of=20
76%,=94 and stated that: =93The public has been misled by claims that =
Greek-Cypriots=20
were the ones responsible for the ultimate failure of the unification=20
plan.=94</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">In the letter to President Bush, she =
also=20
stated: =93Perhaps it is now time for a new approach to the =
issue.=94 She=20
urged the President =93to remain engaged in efforts to resolve the =
conflict in=20
Cyprus, and to continue the search for a just and lasting reunification =
that=20
will promote peace and stability.=94 </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">Dora Bakoyannis, Greece=92s new =
Foreign Minister,=20
has stated, most recently on April 4, 2006 in Cyprus that the UN Annan =
Plan was=20
=93history.=94 =93=91The Annan Plan, as it was submitted for =
approval by the=20
Cypriot people, was rejected. From the moment it was rejected, it =
is=20
history,=92 Bakoyannis said.=94 (</FONT><I><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">National Herald</FONT></I><FONT face=3D"Times =
New Roman">,=20
April 8, 2006, page 13; col.1)</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">With the State Department=92s new =
political=20
leader****p of Secretary Condoleezza Rice and the new career leader****p =
of Under=20
Secretary for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns there is an op****tunity =
to=20
redress the situation.</FONT></P>
<P><U><B><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">Syrian Troops Out of Lebanon- =
Turkish=20
Troops Out of Cyprus </FONT></B></U></P>
<P><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New =
Roman"> =
=20
In March of 2005 President Bush called for the immediate removal of =
Syrian=20
troops from Lebanon. Last year the U.S. actively sup****ted UN =
Security=20
Council Resolution 1559 which called for the removal of all non-Lebanese =
forces=20
from Lebanon, in effect telling Syria to get out of Lebanon.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman"=20
size=3D2> &nbs=
p; </FONT>=20
<FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">Getting Syrian troops out of Lebanon is =
in the best=20
interests of the U.S. Getting Turkish troops out of Cyprus is also =
in the=20
best interests of the U.S.</FONT></P>
<P> <FONT face=3D"Times New =
Roman">The=20
failure to call for the removal of Turkish troops from Cyprus is a =
striking=20
example of the double standard in Turkey=92s favor. It is =
particularly=20
distressing as the Turkish troops which invaded Cyprus caused =
substantial loss=20
of lives, 180,000 Greek Cypriot refugees and huge destruction of =
property. =20
The reasons to call for the removal of Turkish troops from Cyprus are as =
compelling, and more so, than getting Syrian troops out of =
Lebanon.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a =
senior=20
member of the House International Relations Committee, in a speech in =
Wa****ngton=20
on March 5, 2005 at the American Hellenic Institute=92s annual dinner, =
called for=20
an end to =93the continuing presence of Turkish troops on the =
island. =20
They=92ve got to go,=94 she said.</FONT></P>
<P><U><B><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">Removal from Cyprus of =
Turkey=92s 120,000=20
illegal colonists/settlers</FONT></B></U> </P>
<P> <FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">President Bush should also call for the =
immediate=20
withdrawal of Turkey=92s 120,000 illegal colonists/settlers in Cyprus in =
violation=20
of the Geneva Convention of 1949. </FONT></P>
<P><U><B><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">Tear down Turkey=92s barbed wire =
fence=20
across the face of Cyprus</FONT></B></U><B></B><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman"> </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">The removal of Turkey=92s troops, =
colonists and=20
barbed wire fence would end the Turkish Cypriot=92s economic isolation =
and go a=20
long way to solving the Cyprus problem because the Greek and Turkish =
Cypriots=20
could then work out a fair and effective agreement.</FONT></P>
<P> <FONT face=3D"Times New =
Roman">Why=20
hasn=92t President Bush called for the removal of Turkey=92s illegal =
troops and=20
colonists from Cyprus and the tearing down of the Green Line barbed wire =
fence=20
(as President Reagan called for the Soviets to tear down the Berlin =
Wall)? =20
The answer is that he has followed the failed State Department policy of =
a=20
double standard on the application of the rule of law to Turkey. =
That=20
policy started in 1974, when Turkey invaded Cyprus with the illegal use =
of U.S.=20
arms, and has continued to the present time.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">The person who led the effort in =
promoting the=20
double standard this past decade is former Under Secretary of State for=20
Political Affairs Marc Grossman. Mr. Grossman retired on February =
25, 2005=20
and has been succeeded by Nicholas Burns, former State Department =
spokesperson,=20
U.S. Ambassador to Greece and U.S. Permanent Representative to =
NATO. =20
Hopefully Mr. Burns will initiate a review of the U.S.-Turkey policy, a =
review=20
which is long overdue.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DTimes>Instead of calling for the removal of (1) Turkish =
invasion=20
and occupation troops from Cyprus, (2) the illegal colonists and (3) the =
Turkish=20
barbed wired fence across the face of Cyprus, the State Department says =
they are=20
part of the negotiations, which means, in effect, the State =
Department=92s sup****t=20
for Turkish aggression.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">The State Department=92s =93double =
speak=94 on=20
Turkey=92s invasion of Cyprus in 1974 compared to Iraq=92s invasion of =
Kuwait in=20
1990 is right out of George Orwell=92s 1984.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">A review of U.S. policy towards Turkey =
should=20
begin with the Eisenhower Doctrine:</FONT><B> <FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">=93There can be no peace without law. And =
there can=20
be no law if we were to invoke one code of international conduct for =
those who=20
oppose us and another for our friends.=94</FONT></B> <FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman"> Eisenhower applied that doctrine to halt and =
reverse=20
aggression by Britain, France and Israel against Egypt in =
1956.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">A top UN official informed Syria that =
the UN=20
would consider =93wide punitive sanctions=94 if Syria did not comply =
with UN SC Res.=20
1559. The U.S. should also consider such sanctions against Turkey =
if=20
Turkey does not get out of Cyprus now.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">To achieve a Cyprus settlement, the =
U.S. should=20
apply forceful economic, political, and diplomatic pressure on Turkey, =
including=20
sanctions and the withdrawal of trade benefits if necessary, to get =
Turkey to=20
remove its 40,000 armed forces and its 120,000 illegal colonists from =
Cyprus,=20
and to tear down the Turkish barbed wire fence across the face of Cyprus =
which=20
are the causes of the Turkish Cypriots isolation.</FONT></P>
<P> <FONT face=3D"Times New =
Roman">The=20
limited opening of the Green Line in Nicosia in April 2003 resulted in =
thousands=20
of peaceful daily crossings by Turkish and Greek Cypriots and has =
demonstrated=20
beyond a doubt that Greek and Turkish Cypriots can live and work =
together=20
peacefully as they did before. It destroyed the propaganda of =
Turkish=20
Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, that they could not live together and =
needed to=20
be separated. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">NATO=92s toleration of Turkey=92s =
aggression against=20
Cyprus in violation of the NATO Treaty and the UN Charter is evidence of =
a=20
double standard and a stain on NATO=92s record and honor. NATO =
should call=20
for the immediate removal of Turkey=92s illegal occupation forces and =
settlers=20
from Cyprus and the demilitarization of Cyprus. If Turkey refuses =
to=20
cooperate, NATO should consider appropriate action to bring Turkey into=20
compliance. We call on the U.S. to encourage NATO members to apply =
pressure on Turkey to abide by the clear requirements of the NATO =
Treaty, to=20
desist from aggression against other states and to reform the =
constitution of=20
Turkey to reflect Western standards of civilian democracy.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">The U.S. should make the search for a =
just=20
solution to the Cyprus problem a foreign policy priority and should =
expand its=20
economic, political, diplomatic, and security relations with =
Cyprus. The=20
U.S. in its own interests should sup****t amendments to the Annan Plan to =
make it=20
democratic, workable, financially viable, just and compatible with =
American=20
principles, EU democratic norms and human rights standards. =
Reunification of the=20
island on just and viable terms and the nation=92s member****p in the EU =
as an=20
integrated whole are worthy goals. They will benefit all parties =
concerned=20
and will advance the U.S. interests in regional stability and adherence =
to the=20
rule of law. To promote these interests, the U.S. should more =
forcefully=20
exert its influence with Turkey, including the Turkish =
military.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">The Greek Cypriots worked hard to =
recover from=20
the devastation of the Turkish invasion and</FONT><B> <FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">adhered in all their efforts to the rule of=20
law</FONT></B><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">. They achieved an =
economic=20
miracle. Yet when the Greek Cypriots overwhelmingly voted no =
by 76%=20
to the flawed Annan Plan, the State Department, led by then Under =
Secretary Marc=20
Grossman, attacked them for exercising their democratic right to vote =
and=20
personally attacked Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos. =
</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">The Cyprus problem is the central =
issue of=20
U.S.-Cyprus relations, but it is not the only component of the=20
relation****p. Cyprus is within the U.S. strategic perimeter in the =
Eastern=20
Mediterranean and the Middle East. Cyprus is a strategic key for =
U.S.=20
interests in the region. It is a stationary aircraft carrier in =
the region=20
and its mountains provide areas for the most effective listening and=20
transmitting devices in the region. We suggest that the =
Administration=20
increase efforts to deepen its relations with Cyprus by ensuring regular =
visits=20
to Cyprus by senior officials whose responsibilities are not directly =
related to=20
the solution of the Cyprus =
problem.</FONT></P><BR></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>
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