Political Quotes

“this week marks the 23d year since the brutal partition of Cyprus, yet the focus of the international community and the Congress on a resolution to this tragic separation has not lessened. If anything, attention on the plight of Cyprus has heightened recently. In 1996 we unfortunately witnessed the worst outbreak of violence since the invasion in 1974. In January of this year the Clerides government signed a contract to purchase Russian S- 300 air defense missiles. These factors combined threaten to introduce a new and destabilizing element in the mediation process, and has generated a sense of urgency in the efforts towards achieving a viable settlement. Indeed, the role of the United States in pressing for peace on the island has become even more vital to ensuring the creation of a stable, secure and free Europe. On June 4, President Clinton named former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Canadian Affairs, Richard Holbrooke, as Special Presidential Envoy for Cyprus. I wholeheartedly welcome that appointment. As one of our most capable negotiators, Mr. Holbrooke's appointment demonstrates the United States' commitment to help support a final political settlement on Cyprus.”