Political Quotes

“today I want to thank Mr. Bereuter for his leadership in introducing H. Con. Res. 165, expressing support for a renewed effort to find a peaceful, just, and lasting settlement to the Cyprus problem, and I want to take this opportunity to voice my strong support for this resolution. In today's uncertain world, where conflict and instability abound, one such long-standing dispute was quietly moving toward a resolution. However, while the world has been focused on Iraq and deadlines on the Hussein regime came and went, another deadline, one vitally important to a resolution to the conflict on Cyprus, passed with little fanfare. The stakes in Cyprus are high, and while the United States is rightly focusing on more pressing foreign policy problems like the war on terrorism, the war in Iraq and other issues in the Middle East, we should also devote attention to bringing an end to this conflict. The outcome of a peaceful resolution to the division of Cyprus will have a significant impact on Turkey and Greece, two key NATO players whose antagonistic relationship has too often roiled the alliance. It would benefit U.S. interests in the eastern Mediterranean, would strengthen NATO by improving relations between our two key allies, and defuse an ongoing regional arms race. Just as they are standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the United States in the war against terror, so too must they play a constructive role in resolving this longstanding dispute.”