Frank Pallone: “2 days from now the people of Cyprus will take a historical vote on the future of their country, voting on a referendum…”

“2 days from now the people of Cyprus will take a historical vote on the future of their country, voting on a referendum finalized several weeks ago by U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan. Secretary General Annan has dedicated a great deal of time over the past couple of years to finally resolving the 30-year Cyprus problem. He has been extremely patient in dealing with the intransigence of Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, intransigence that continues to this day. Having met with the Secretary General last month, I have no doubt that he understands the concerns of both the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots; but unfortunately, his final plan unfairly benefits the Turkish side and does not achieve the goal of truly reunifying the island nation. Mr. Speaker, I have serious reservations about the final Annan plan because it forces the Cypriot people to put too much faith in the Turkish Government. When Cypriots go to the voting booth on the 24th, they are forced to take the Turkish Government at its word that the Turkish parliament will ratify the treaty.”