[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 91 (Thursday, July 14, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 14, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
      THE FREEDOM FIGHT IN CYPRUS: 20 YEARS OF TURKISH OCCUPATION

  Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, today, I address the past and present 
political status of Cyprus. We now are witnessing the 20-year mark of 
the division of the island between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots. 
Cypriot loyalties have long been torn between Cyprus, Greece, and 
Turkey.
  Over the past two decades, we have witnessed numerous failed attempts 
at reconciliation under official U.N. auspices. Additionally, many 
unofficial rounds of negotiations have not succeeded in ending Cyprus' 
political turmoil. As we remember the invasion of Cyprus, we should 
commit ourselves to strive for an international solution to the 
division of this illegal country.
  Cyprus' division began in 1974. A Turkish military junta ousted 
President Makarios and eventually took control of the northern one-
third of the nation. The so-called Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus 
has yet to gain diplomatic recognition from any of the world's 
countries except Turkey. The southern two-thirds of the Republic of 
Cyprus is inhabited by Greek Cypriots, who comprise 80 percent of the 
population.
  The political goals of each side have wavered little in the past 20 
years. The balance to be struck between the establishment of a single-
sovereignty federation, favored by the Greek Cypriots, and the 
formation of two independent States, favored by the Turkish Cypriots, 
continues to be a somewhat elusive goal. The primary issues are also 
clouded by other complicating factors. Displaced persons, territory, 
property, and military rights reveal the far reaching effects the 1974 
invasion continues to have--not only on the people of Cyprus, but also 
on the efforts for political compromise and reconciliation.
  Mr. President, an end to the illegal Turkish occupation of Cyprus is 
long overdue. Twenty years have passed since Greek Cypriots, comprising 
at least 75 percent of the population of Cyprus, have lived without the 
presence of Turkish troops in their homeland. Since 1974, Greek 
Cypriots have looked to the United States Congress to help them end the 
unacceptable status quo of division and Turkish occupation.
  To help implement a viable solution to the problem in Cyprus, I have 
sponsored legislation in past Congresses which would make United States 
aid to Turkey contingent upon the removal of troops from Cyprus. While 
I do not believe the necessary votes to pass such legislation currently 
exist, I still am compelled to reiterate the need to withhold aid from 
Turkey unless we are assured the Turks are not violating the human 
rights of both Kurds in Turkey and Greek Cypriots. Additionally, we 
should demand assurance that no portion of Cyprus will be governed by 
Turkish settlers and troops.
  After two decades of illegal Turkish occupation of Cyprus, the United 
States should reexamine its policy toward Turkey. The United States 
Congress and the Clinton administration need to send a signal to the 
people of Turkey: Basic principles of human rights must be respected. 
For the past 20 years, Greek Cypriots have faced Turkish intransigence. 
The United States, as the leader of the world community, no longer 
should tolerate Turkey's unreasonable position regarding the settlement 
of Cyprus and its gross human rights violations.
  An end to the division of Greek and Turkish Cypriots rests squarely 
in the hands of Turkish Government leaders. It is time the United 
States held the Turkish Government accountable for two decades of 
illegal military occupation in Cyprus. Let us not forget that the 
occupation is being carried on with the support of United States 
military equipment, made available through United States foreign aid to 
Turkey. We clearly have a responsibility to contribute to a solution to 
a problem that we, in part, have helped to create. I urge my colleagues 
to consider the plight of divided and foreign occupied Cyprus as we 
consider United States financial aid to Turkey.

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