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15 December 2003

U.S. Statement on Turkish Cypriot Election Results

Vote "advances the cause of peace in Cyprus"

The Turkish Cypriot election December 14 expressed the people's "desire for a comprehensive Cyprus settlement that will enable them to join the EU next May 1 alongside Greek Cypriots," said State Department spokesman Richard Boucher. "This vote advances the cause of peace on Cyprus."

"The United States will continue to promote a just and durable solution to the long-standing division of the island, on the basis of UN Secretary General [Kofi] Annan's peace plan," he said.

Following is Boucher's statement:

(begin text)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
December 15, 2003

Statement by Richard Boucher, Spokesman

TURKISH CYPRIOT ELECTION RESULTS

In their vote on Sunday, December 14, Turkish Cypriots expressed their desire for a comprehensive Cyprus settlement that will enable them to join the EU next May 1 alongside Greek Cypriots. A pro-solution party won the greatest number of votes and more than half of all voters supported candidates who favor having a settlement approved by Cypriots in referenda before May. We hope a new administration will be in place as soon as possible that will carry out the will of the majority of Turkish Cypriots.

This vote advances the cause of peace on Cyprus. It is a vote for hope over fear. It is all the more noteworthy given pressures faced by Turkish Cypriot voters during the pre-election period.

The United States will continue to promote a just and durable solution to the long-standing division of the island, on the basis of UN Secretary General Annan's peace plan. We hope the Turkish Cypriot desire for a settlement will be honored by the swift resumption of UN-brokered negotiations, beginning with the necessary expression of political will to Secretary General Annan by all parties.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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