congressional_record: CREC-1998-12-18-pt1-PgE2347-4
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| granule_id | date | congress | session | volume | issue | title | chamber | granule_class | sub_granule_class | page_start | page_end | speakers | bills | citation | full_text |
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| CREC-1998-12-18-pt1-PgE2347-4 | 1998-12-18 | 105 | 2 | RUSSIA IS A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM IN CYPRUS | HOUSE | EXTENSIONS | ALLOTHER | E2347 | E2348 | [{"name": "Ed Whitfield", "role": "speaking"}] | 144 Cong. Rec. E2347 | Congressional Record, Volume 144 Issue 154 (Friday, December 18, 1998) [Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 154 (Friday, December 18, 1998)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E2347-E2348] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] RUSSIA IS A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM IN CYPRUS ______ HON. ED WHITFIELD of kentucky in the house of representatives Friday, December 18, 1998 Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Speaker, the tensions in Cyprus continue, despite a new round of American diplomatic efforts and shuttle diplomacy by the United Nations envoy. In my view, our government should focus its attention on a significant part of the problem: Russia. As it has since May, Russia refuses to halt its planned sale of S-300 missiles to the Greek Cypriots, despite resounding protests [[Page E2348]] and criticism from our government and the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United Nations. The world realizes that introducing sophisticated antiaircraft missiles and powerful air surveillance radar into the fragile Cyprus peace would dangerously raise tensions between Greek and Turkish Cypriots, and between Greece and Turkey. Even though Russia is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, it seemingly flouts numerous Security Council resolutions and United Nations efforts to defuse the tensions in Cyprus. Indeed, just last Friday the U.N. Security General cited the S- 300 sales in his report to the Security Council recommending renewal of the U.N. peacekeeping force in Cyprus. Even Greece argued for an alternative; place the S-300s on the Greek island of Crete instead of Cyprus. Although not an optimal solution, this alternative at least would have kept the missiles out of the immediate crisis zone. United States Ambassador Kenneth Brill endorsed such an idea, stating in the press that the United States would like to see the missiles deployed anywhere but Cyprus. President Clerides of the Republic of Cyprus rejected the Greek plan. In press statements, he tried to downplay the missile crisis, calling it but one issue of many regarding security. This is quite an understatement, as the missiles could destroy aircraft flying in southern Turkey and the radar equipment reportedly could reach as far as Israel. The introduction of these missiles creates a real risk of wider conflict in the eastern Mediterranean. More disappointing was Russia's reaction to the proposal. The Russian reaction was more defensive, more ominous--and insulting. Russia condemned Mr. Brill's statement as ``unfriendly'', and formally rebuked our diplomats in Moscow for interfering in what Russia labels an exclusively commercial and bilateral deal. The Russian Ambassador to Cyprus responded by saying that Russia is ``nobody's colony.'' The Russians appear to have mistaken diplomacy for interference, and arms sales for acts of sovereignty. International prestige comes from settling crises, not provoking them. With power comes responsibility. The best way for Russia to show it remains important on the world stage is to act responsibly, to work for a solution to the military tension on Cyprus rather than inflame it for financial gain. It is unclear why Russia has taken this course at a time when it hopes for foreign aid to help ease its deep financial crisis. Russia risks damaged ties with the U.S., international condemnation, and the disruption of commerce in the Mediterranean. What is the motive?-- making money from the missile sale; trying to divide NATO members; posturing against Israel and its expanding ties to Turkey; or asserting a bold Russian presence abroad to divert attention from problems at home? Certainly none of these reasons should be worth damaging relations with the international community--or provoking hostilities in Cyprus. We should expect higher standards of conduct from Russia, a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council. Further, its treatment of United States diplomats, who are working to find solutions to a crisis which everyone except the Greek Cypriots and Russia want to resolve, is unacceptable. The Administration needs to more forcefully persuade the Russian leadership to halt the sale. The President must take a hard line against Russia's treatment of United States diplomatic efforts and personnel, and their efforts to thwart the will of the international community. The U.S. and international community must not take sides in the Cyprus matter, but work for an honest and fair solution for both sides. Stoking the fire with high tech weaponry sales to one party can only lead to further deterioration and a more difficult road for peacemakers in the international community. ____________________ |