[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 39 (Thursday, April 7, 2005)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E575-E576] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY ______ HON. DAN BURTON of indiana in the house of representatives Wednesday, April 6, 2005 Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Greek-Americans on the occasion of Greek Independence Day, and wish all people of Greek descent across the globe, peace, happiness and prosperity. In the same spirit of friendship and brotherhood, I ask all of my Greek friends to use this joyous occasion to renew their commitment to peace by doing all that they can to facilitate and promote the end of the long-standing stalemate on the beautiful Mediterranean island, Cyprus. Recent remarks made by Greek Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis with regards to Greece's support for the resumption of negotiations on the Cyprus question along the lines of the United Nations' Plan for a settlement (the ``Annan Plan'') are deeply encouraging, and should be supported by the international community and the United States. Greece's role in facilitating negotiations under U.N. auspices and convincing the Greek Cypriot side, [[Page E576]] under the leadership of President Tassos Papadopoulos, to return to the negotiating table cannot be understated. Now, the time is right for peace and reconciliation on the island. The Turkish Cypriots have already declared that they are ready and willing to sit down and discuss the ``Annan Plan''--a plan they overwhelmingly supported in the referendum held on April 24, 2004--with their Greek Cypriot counterparts. I fervently hope, Mr. Speaker, that all sides will seize the opportunity of Greek Independence Day to come together in a spirit of friendship and cooperation to achieve the final and lasting peace that has so long eluded the people of Cyprus. ____________________