Doug Bereuter: “Several weeks ago, this House for the first time in 6 years spoke unanimously and decisively on the current situation…”

“Several weeks ago, this House for the first time in 6 years spoke unanimously and decisively on the current situation involving Cyprus. On March 27, this body voted 422-0 to express our disappointment that a United Nations-backed settlement plan would not be presented to the people of Cyprus for their consideration. The resolution, introduced by this Member, also called for the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders to quickly return to the negotiating table to find a fair and lasting settlement acceptable to all. Since passage of that resolution, two extraordinary events have taken place on that divided island. The first took place over Easter holiday when Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr. Rauf Denktash, announced a freedom of movement policy whereby the border separating the two sides would be open for the free passage of the island's population. In another welcome move shortly thereafter, the Cyprus Government announced that it was initiating 19 confidence-building measures. Some of those included lifting of trade restrictions between the north and the south and the de-mining of the Greek Cypriot side of the buffer zone. Mr. Speaker, whatever the impact the actions of this House had on events which have taken place on Cyprus, a new and positive attitude has taken hold on that island. This Member would like to commend Mr. Denktash for taking the bold and most welcome actions he initiated.”