14-R356

2014 -- S 3118

Enacted 06/18/14

S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THAT THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS AND THE UNITED NATIONS WORK TOGETHER TOWARDS FINDING A PEACEFUL SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEMS IN CYPRUS

Introduced By: Senators Raptakis, Doyle, Paiva Weed, Algiere, and Gallo

Date Introduced: June 18, 2014

     WHEREAS, This year marks the fortieth anniversary of the illegal Turkish invasion and

continued occupation of Cyprus; and

     WHEREAS, The Republic of Cyprus has been divided and occupied by foreign forces

since 1974, in violation of numerous United Nations' Resolutions; and

     WHEREAS, The Republic of Cyprus is the only internationally recognized and legal

entity on the Island of Cyprus and is a member of the United Nations and the European Union.

United States Vice President Joseph Biden re-affirmed these facts and the United States' support

for the Republic of Cyprus on his recent visit to the Island of Cyprus; and

     WHEREAS, The international community, with the support of the United States, has

repeatedly supported the Republic of Cyprus in this dispute. It has called for the removal of the

43,000 Turkish troops from the Island, the return of all illegal settlers, and has continuously urged

the government of Turkey to engage in good faith negotiations to achieve these ends; and

     WHEREAS, A peaceful, just and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem would greatly

benefit the security and the political, economic and social well-being of all Cypriots, as well as

contribute to improved relations between Greece, Turkey and the European Union; now, therefore

be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby marks the fortieth anniversary of the unlawful Turkish invasion and occupation of Cyprus.

We furthermore respectfully request that the President of the United States and the United States

Congress fully support all United Nations efforts to create a peaceful and democratic solution that

will be based on European law and will guarantee all Cypriot citizens equal human rights; and be

it further

    RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to President Barack Obama, Vice President Joseph

Biden, Jr., Secretary of State John Kerry, the Rhode Island Delegation to the United States

Congress, Speaker of the House of Representatives John Boehner, House Minority Leader Nancy

Pelosi, United States Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, United States Senate Minority Leader

Mitch McConnell, and United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

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LC005988

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