Frank Pallone: “Last month the Greek Cypriot majority on the island nation of Cyprus overwhelmingly rejected a U.N. plan that forced…”

“Last month the Greek Cypriot majority on the island nation of Cyprus overwhelmingly rejected a U.N. plan that forced them to put too much faith in the government of Turkey. Mr. Speaker, let us be clear. The Greek Cypriot people did not reject reunification of Cyprus. They rejected a proposal by U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, a proposal they determined was not in the best interests of their nation as it prepared to join the European Union. After the Annan plan was defeated, Cypriot President Papadopoulos said, ``I should emphasize that the Greek Cypriots have not rejected the solution of the Cyprus problem. They are not turning their backs on their Turkish Cypriot compatriots.'' President Papadopoulos once again called upon Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to work together for a united Cyprus. Both the United Nations and the Bush administration must realize that the Greek Cypriots are still dedicated to reunification, but they were simply not willing to accept a plan that forced them to accept the good will of the Turkish Government.”