Benjamin Gilman: “I commend the gentleman from Florida, Mr. Bilirakis, who has over the years taken care that this House does not fail to…”

“I commend the gentleman from Florida, Mr. Bilirakis, who has over the years taken care that this House does not fail to observe the events of July 1974 whose tragic consequences still persist today nearly a quarter of a century later. The occupation of northern Cyprus by Turkish troops, which began some twenty-four years ago, has turned into one of the most vexing problems of the international community. it has confounded the efforts of five U.S. Presidents, four United Nations Secretaries General, and many of the world's top diplomats, including our own. Most recently we had the strong effort of Ambassador Richard Holbrooke and Ambassador Tom Miller run into a brick wall as Denktash, backed by the Turkish government, came up with new conditions before they would agree to resume negotiations with President Clerides. These conditions, as the Turkish side well understood, were non-starters--the Turks insisted that northern Cyprus be regarded as a sovereign entity, and that the government of Cyprus halt negotiations on joining the EU. We are all disappointed that the hard-fought efforts of our envoys did not produce a breakthrough. I agree with their assessment that the impasse is a result of the Turkish position, and that they key to breaking the current stalemate lies in Ankara. That being said, however, it is difficult to foresee a way around the current deadlock unless there is a change of heart on the Turkish side.”