I believe it would be helpful and appropriate for the United States to give a new. tangible expression of Americas concern for the people of Cyprus which will continue toward the establishment of a peaceful. prosperous Cyprus. I am. therefore. proposing the appropriation of $25 million for humanitarian aid to the people of Cyprus during the next fiscal year. and I have introduced a bill to authorize such an appropriation on behalf of the Senator from Massachusetts and myself. While we focus on our vital security interests which require that we maintain the integrity of NATO. we must not lose sight of the human dimension of the Cyprus problem and of the need for food. shelter. and economic development which can ease the burden of the refugees. In the south alone. some 140.000 displaced persons remain in need of assistance in one form or another. The relief effort has been efficiently and effectively run by the Cypriot authorities. working in conjunction with the International Committee of the Red Cross and the U.N. High Commission for Refugees which. at U.N. Secretary General Waldheims request. has coordinated international contributions to the Cyprus relief effort. Further contributions will. however. be required from the international community. The United States has to date provided a total of $14.1 million to the Cyprus relief effort-$10.9 million through the U.N. High Commission for Refugees and $3.2 million through the International Red Cross. I also understand that the remaining portion of the $25 million authorized will be obligated shortly. Therefore. further relief wil! be necessary.
Keywords matched
Refugees refugees