Cyprus-Forum.com

[humanist]

http://www.financialmirror.com/more_new ... t=Politics

US Congress legislation to end Turkish occupation of Cyprus


07/08/2007

The US Congress has taken another significant step toward improving American policy on Cyprus with the introduction of two Cyprus bills, which the sponsors noted complement each other, said the leaders of the Coordinated Effort of Hellenes (CEH).

According to a CEH statement, “one of the two bills, House Resolution 620, calls on Turkey to `end its military occupation…particularly because Turkey’s pretext has been refuted by over 13 million crossings by Turkish-Cypriots and Greek-Cypriots into each other’s communities without incident.’ ”

“This legislation carries particular weight with American policy-makers because its primary sponsors, Congressmen Albio Sires (D-NJ) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), are among only 14 out of the 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives selected by their colleagues to oversee matters relating to Europe -- as members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on Europe. Cyprus advocates Representatives Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), John Sarbanes (D-MD) and Zack Space (D-OH) are also original co-sponsors”, CEH added.

“The bill adds to momentum that is building in the U.S. to end Turkey’s occupation of Cyprus, particularly after 13 million peaceful crossings of the Green Line”, CEH said, noting that it also “builds on the recent statement by the Chairman of the powerful U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Joe Biden (D-DE), who encouraged America to refocus on this matter that is at the heart of the Cyprus problem."

It also adds to the impetus generated by the recent letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice by the creator of the Congressional Turkey Caucus and Chairman of the House Europe Subcommittee, Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL), the statement notes. "Chairman Wexler felt that it is in Turkey’s interests to focus on withdrawing troops", it says.

“No legislation in recent years that has focused on ending the division of Cyprus has received more than 27 members of Congress asking to become cosponsors (advocates). If this new momentum continues, and we plan to make sure that it does, many more that 27 members of Congress will become cosponsors.”

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the island’s northern third. Restrictions on free movement to and from the island’s occupied areas, imposed by the Turkish Cypriot regime, were partially lifted in April 2003, a move that is still in place and allows, albeit under restrictions, Cypriots to cross the UN controlled buffer zone.

Can anyone tell me what this means. Kikapu I look to you for further clarification as I believe you live in the States?

Cheers

[Kikapu]

http://www.financialmirror.com/more_news.php?id=7908&nt=Politics

US Congress legislation to end Turkish occupation of Cyprus


07/08/2007

The US Congress has taken another significant step toward improving American policy on Cyprus with the introduction of two Cyprus bills, which the sponsors noted complement each other, said the leaders of the Coordinated Effort of Hellenes (CEH).

According to a CEH statement, “one of the two bills, House Resolution 620, calls on Turkey to `end its military occupation…particularly because Turkey’s pretext has been refuted by over 13 million crossings by Turkish-Cypriots and Greek-Cypriots into each other’s communities without incident.’ ”

“This legislation carries particular weight with American policy-makers because its primary sponsors, Congressmen Albio Sires (D-NJ) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), are among only 14 out of the 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives selected by their colleagues to oversee matters relating to Europe -- as members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on Europe. Cyprus advocates Representatives Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), John Sarbanes (D-MD) and Zack Space (D-OH) are also original co-sponsors”, CEH added.

“The bill adds to momentum that is building in the U.S. to end Turkey’s occupation of Cyprus, particularly after 13 million peaceful crossings of the Green Line”, CEH said, noting that it also “builds on the recent statement by the Chairman of the powerful U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Joe Biden (D-DE), who encouraged America to refocus on this matter that is at the heart of the Cyprus problem."

It also adds to the impetus generated by the recent letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice by the creator of the Congressional Turkey Caucus and Chairman of the House Europe Subcommittee, Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL), the statement notes. "Chairman Wexler felt that it is in Turkey’s interests to focus on withdrawing troops", it says.

“No legislation in recent years that has focused on ending the division of Cyprus has received more than 27 members of Congress asking to become cosponsors (advocates). If this new momentum continues, and we plan to make sure that it does, many more that 27 members of Congress will become cosponsors.”

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the island’s northern third. Restrictions on free movement to and from the island’s occupied areas, imposed by the Turkish Cypriot regime, were partially lifted in April 2003, a move that is still in place and allows, albeit under restrictions, Cypriots to cross the UN controlled buffer zone.

Can anyone tell me what this means. Kikapu I look to you for further clarification as I believe you live in the States?

Cheers

Humanist, I believe this article was posted on the forum last month, unless I'm having a de ja vu.

It appears that the Democrats are trying to get things moving in Cyprus. Perhaps it is because finally the Israel-Palestinian issues are being addressed more clearly in the recent weeks after being totally ignored by the Bush team since he has been in office, that this part of the world needs stability and tackling these issues will benefit the whole region. The Democrats may also believe by solving these issues, will also help solve most of Iraq's on going problems for the US Military. The Democrats may also want to be seen as "deal makers" in this region, which will help them in next years National elections in the USA. I don't know if anything will come out of it, but Joe Biden is a very senior Senator who wields a lot of power. The Republicans always talk about the "Rule of Law and Democracy" but only if it serves their purpose.

Bill Clinton was in fact trying to resolve the Cyprus problems when he was in office, then the Monica Lewinsky scandal broke, and once again, Cyprus was put on the shelf. Democrats are less likely to give Turkey a "easy pass" on the Kurds and the Armenian issues and at the same time, also recognises, that Turkey's entry into the EU depends on fixing these same issues that surrounds Turkey, including Cyprus.

Turkey is at cross roads with her future I believe. They are a very proud nation, therefore it will be very hard for them to accept any changes to the present situations that are facing her. However, if the USA starts making demands on her, then I believe the Turks can shift their positions to allow changes to take place and at the same time, use the USA as the culprit for these changes. I believe that these changes will be good for her and all those concerned, including Cyprus. Even as we speak, North and South Korea are about to have face to face meetings, to bring the two sides closer diplomatically. Changes are on the move around the world, and Cyprus issues, which are minuscule in comparison to most other problems in the world, will be solved sooner or later. It is no longer acceptable to the world, that this tiny island's problems can not be solved in a fair and balanced way for all Cypriots. I support all efforts by the Democrats to get the Cypriot issues resolved, so that the people of Cyprus can once again call the whole island as their HOME.

[raymanuva]

Have a look how Americans are passing laws really entertaining... (subject on OIL dependency)

[GorillaGal]

it bothers me that the title of this thread is "even the US has smelled the oil." that was the purpose in that?

[paliometoxo]

what was the last war for from us? wasent it for control of the oil?

[GorillaGal]

you mean the one right now? it is for terrorism. although you will argue it is about oil, and i am sure that plays some part in it, this present war is to stop terrorism. remember 9-11????

[RRichie]

What did Iraq have to do wth 9 11 ? I thought that was Afganistan and Bin Laden.

[DT.]

you mean the one right now? it is for terrorism. although you will argue it is about oil, and i am sure that plays some part in it, this present war is to stop terrorism. remember 9-11????

I remember 9-11 and was there for 7-7 Poor Iraqis however will have a hard time excluding a date from the calender that they weren't attacked by terrorism since the war began.

[GorillaGal]

Have a look how Americans are passing laws really entertaining... (subject on OIL dependency)

what is so amusing here? i am proud to live in a country where popular vote rules.

[GorillaGal]

you mean the one right now? it is for terrorism. although you will argue it is about oil, and i am sure that plays some part in it, this present war is to stop terrorism. remember 9-11????

I remember 9-11 and was there for 7-7 Poor Iraqis however will have a hard time excluding a date from the calender that they weren't attacked by terrorism since the war began.

we were attacked for no reason as well. as was the UK.