[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 95 (Wednesday, July 20, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 20, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                   THE CONTINUING DIVISION OF CYPRUS

                                 ______


                         HON. RICHARD H. LEHMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 20, 1994

  Mr. LEHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise before my colleagues today to express 
my concern over the continuing unrest in Cyprus on this, the 20th year 
of its illegal occupation by the Turkish Army.
  I also want to thank my distinguished colleague from Florida for his 
efforts in focusing our attention on this illegal occupation and his 
call for peace and resolution on this sad and bitter anniversary.
  As a result of the 1974 occupation, sadly there are still 1,619 Greek 
Cypriots and 5 United States citizens who remain missing and 
unaccounted for.
  Since 1974, the United Nations has adopted numerous resolutions 
concerning Cyprus, resolutions that condemn the status quo as 
unacceptable and call for the withdrawal of the foreign forces, the 
return of the refugees, the ascertainment of the fate of the missing 
and respect for the human rights of all Cypriots. The Government of 
Cyprus, ever determined to reach a solution to the problem, has made 
every possible effort to reach an agreement.
  Unfortunately, Turkey has ignored those efforts and the international 
community's persistent calls to resolve the Cyprus problem, and instead 
has systematically taken steps to obstruct the achievement of a just 
and lasting resolution of the Cyprus problem.
  The United States Government has always supported a lasting solution 
and it is important that the Congress continue to firmly support the 
people of Cyprus by pressing Turkey to remove its illegal occupation 
force and work constructively for resolution. There must be a solution 
that will benefit both communities on Cyprus, stabilize the often 
tenuous relationship between Greece and Turkey, and be a significant 
step toward peace in the volatile eastern Mediterranean region.
  The strong support of Congress combined with President Clinton's 
reaffirmation of his personal commitment to ``work for an end to the 
tragic conflict on Cyprus, which is dividing too many people in too 
many ways,'' are clearly essential in bringing about a long overdue 
peaceful resolution of the Cyprus problem for the near future.

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