[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 116 (Tuesday, July 18, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H7163-H7168]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      CYPRUS: 21 YEARS OF DIVISION

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Florida [Mr. Bilirakis] is recognized for 20 minutes.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the 
time. I also thank the gentleman and commend the gentleman and the 
others for basically sharing the facts and the truth regarding the 
Medicare picture with our viewers out there.
  Mr. Speaker, Thursday, July 20, marks the twenty-first anniversary of 
the illegal invasion and occupation of Cyprus by Turkey. I rise here 
today, as I have since I first came to the Congress in 1983, to remind 
us all of this sad day in the history of the Republic of Cyprus.
  We must all be reminded that the Green Line, separating the northern 
part of the island--some 40 percent and Turkish-occupied--from the free 
portion is the only wall remaining in the world dividing a country.
  We must be reminded that our conduct here in this Congress has played 
a major part in ensuring that wall continues to stand.
  On July 20, 1974, 6,000 Turkish troops and 40 tanks landed on the 
north coast of Cyprus. Turkish forces captured almost 40 percent of 
Cyprus, representing 70 percent of the country's economic health.
  As a result of Turkey's illegal invasion, 1,619 people have never 
been seen again. Among these 1,619 missing individuals, five are United 
States citizens.
  In addition, more than 200,000 Cypriots were forcibly driven from 
their homes. They are now refugees--a people without a home.
  Today, Turkey continues its occupation of the northern portion of 
Cyprus, maintaining more than 35,000 troops and some 65,000 settlers 
there. As I previously mentioned, a barbed wire fence, known as the 
Green Line, cuts across the island separating thousands of Greek 
Cypriots from the towns and communities in which they and their 
families had previously lived for generations.
  As you might guess, this has led to frequent incidents and disputes--
and in the near future, the settlers and occupying troops will 
outnumber the indigenous Turkish Cypriots.

[[Page H 7164]]

  At this point, Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield to the gentleman 
from Pennsylvania [Mr. Gekas].
  Mr. GEKAS. I thank the gentleman. As usual, the gentleman from 
Florida has gone to extra lengths to bring a vital issue to the floor 
and to utilize the special auspices of the special order to get across 
a vital message.
  The gentleman has begun his presentation with talk about refugees, 
and about an act of aggression. The invasion was a bold and dastardly 
act of aggression, was it not? The answer is yes. I will answer my own 
question.
  Refugees became one of the results of this act of aggression. Missing 
persons is another disaster that came directly because of that act of 
aggression. Does not this remind you of what is happening in Bosnia?
  Here we have a situation where an act of aggression resulted in 
refugees, in missing persons, in atrocities of every kind of 
description. The United Nations passed resolutions dealing directly 
with the Bosnian situation. Here we are in turmoil and dismay at being 
unable to do anything about what is happening in Bosnia.
  Well, we could have all predicted that if only one would set that 
same eyeglass on the Cyprus situation: an act of aggression, ethnic 
cleansing, refugees, dastardly atrocities, missing persons. The United 
Nations passed resolution after resolution to try to do something about 
it. Their inaction there, in my judgment, laid the groundwork for the 
inaction that they are now undergoing in Bosnia.
  I am sick of it. I no longer can tolerate even a gentle discussion on 
the Cyprus situation. How can the world community coalesce behind a 
Desert Storm situation to help Kuwait regain its independence, and 
indeed, enlist the aid of Cyprus in that effort, and then tolerate a 
continuing act of aggression? Every single minute that that force 
occupies the northeastern part of Cyprus is an act of aggression 
repeated and repeated.
  Let us do something about this. We argue about it, we debate it, we 
pass resolutions, we send letters. The Bosnian situation will never be 
solved, nor will the Cyprus situation ever be solved, unless the 
resolve, as evidenced by the individuals who will be speaking this 
evening, is mounted into legislative action here in the Congress of the 
United States.
  I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS, I thank the gentleman for his remarks.
  While I am saddened by the anguish that the invasion and occupation 
has caused the people of Cyprus, I am also inspired and encouraged by 
their undaunted spirit and determination as they have endured this 
tragedy.
  In fact, the government of cyprus has persisted in making every 
possible effort to reach a just and lasting solution.
  Most recently, in December of 1993, the Cyprus government submitted 
to the United Nations a bold and innovative proposal calling for the 
demilitarization of the island-nation. In exchange for the withdrawal 
of Turkish troops, Cyprus offered to disband its national guard, 
transfer the national guard's military equipment to an enlarged U.N. 
peacekeeping force and use the money saved from defense spending for 
development projects that would benefit both communities. 
Unfortunately, the Turkish side rejected Cyprus' proposal.
  At this point, Mr. Speaker, I would yield to the gentleman from Ohio 
[Mr. Hoke].
  Mr. HOKE. I heard what you said, Mr. Bilirakis, about the Turkish 
troops. Are these Turkish Cypriot troops, or are these Turkish troops 
who have been exported to Cyprus and are occupying the island.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Clearly exported to Cyprus.
  Mr. HOKE. Clearly. There are 35,000 Turkish troops that are standing 
on the north side, that are an occupying force on this island that was 
at one time an island paradise that is now divided. They are using, as 
I understand the situation, they are using Cyprus as a bargaining chip 
in their own designs and insecurities about their own domestic 
situation and the longtime problems that they have had with the Nation 
of Greece generally.
  They use Cyprus as a way to get at Greece and create untold misery 
for the Greek Cypriots who live on that island. I know of one situation 
particularly in Famagusta where 60,000 people lived in Famagusta, which 
is just on, as I understand it, and correct me if I'm wrong, but it is 
just on the north side of the green line.
  Now, 21 years ago at the time of the invasion by the Turks of the 
island of Cyprus, this city was evacuated; 60,000 people were forced to 
flee from Famagusta and that is now an abandoned city. Nobody is in it. 
There are these 60,000 people in exile of the Famagusta municipality.
  It seems to me that it really is time that we began to identify the 
genuine source of the trouble over there. We talk a lot about human 
rights in this body; we talk a lot about our concern for self-
determination and the concern that we have that nations be allowed to 
have their own rights.
  Here we are with a situation in Cyprus where the Turks have invaded 
that beautiful nation where Moslem Cypriots and Christian Cypriots got 
along for centuries side-by-side, and now for the past 21 years they 
have not, and the Turks again are using them as a pawn.
  There are 1,619, as I understand it, I think that is the correct 
number, people who are still missing and unaccounted for from that 
invasion that took place 21 years ago, and of those, five were American 
citizens, including one who was a young boy, or young man at the time, 
just in college, who was snatched away, literally in the sight of his 
parents when they were there on vacation. They are from Michigan, and 
he has never been seen since, never been accounted for. The Turkish 
Government refuses to cooperate or give any information about his 
whereabouts, and certainly he puts a very real and personal face on 
this tragedy.
  I thank you for your leadership and what you are doing. I agree with 
the gentleman from Pennsylvania that enough is enough, and it is time 
to act.
                              {time}  2115

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. I thank the gentleman and thank him for his interest 
during all the time you have been here in the Congress and on all of 
the other Hellenic issues, and we appreciate your concern and your 
caring, I say to the gentleman.
  Mr. Speaker, tomorrow we will have another chance when the House 
International Relations Committee begins its mark-up of House 
Concurrent Resolution 42, introduced by my colleague from New York [Mr. 
Engel] and of which I am an original cosponsor.
  This important resolution calls for the demilitarization of Cyprus 
and insists that all parties to the dispute regarding Cyprus agree to 
seek a solution based upon relevant U.N. resolutions, including 
provisions of Security Council Resolution 939. Resolution 939 reaffirms 
that a solution to the Cyprus problem be based upon a State of Cyprus 
with a single sovereignty, citizenship and international personality.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from New York [Mrs. Maloney], 
who has truly been an inspiration on this issue.
  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I want to first thank the gentleman from 
Florida for once again organizing this special order.
  Mr. Bilirakis is a true champion of human rights and justice and has 
been an inspiration to many of us as we attempt to solve the problems 
of the beautiful island of Cyprus.
  The past few years have seen great advances in peace and human rights 
throughout the world.
  The end of the cold war, the triumph of democracy in South Africa, 
and the movement toward peace in the Middle East and Northern Ireland 
have been beacons of hope for us all.
  In light of these advances, the situation on Cyprus is all the more 
tragic.
  This island remains divided by the continuing shackles of occupation 
and oppression.
  This week, we commemorate the 21st anniversary of the 1974 illegal 
Turkish invasion of Cyprus and its occupation of 37 percent of the 
island.
  The continued presence of 35,000 Turkish troops represents a gross 
violation of human rights and international law.
  During the invasion, almost 200,000 Greek Cypriots were expelled from 
their homes. They were removed from 

[[Page H 7165]]
the land that had been theirs' for generations. Their property was 
confiscated.
  Worst of all, 1,614 Greek Cypriots and 5 Americans were seized by 
Turkish troops and remain unaccounted for to this day.
  I've shared the pain of some of my own constituents in Astoria, 
Queens whose beloved family members are still missing. On this issue, 
there can be no compromise. We will never give up hope that people like 
Chrisaci Loizoi, Andrew Kassapis, and George Anastasiou will be 
accounted for.
  I'm pleased that last year Congress passed, and the President signed 
into law, a bill which directs the Department of State to conduct an 
investigation into the whereabouts of the five Americans that are still 
missing.
  But we must do more. Human decency demands that we use all means at 
our disposal to account for all of the 1,619 who are missing.
  For this reason, I was particularly pleased to play an active role in 
the passage of an amendment to the Foreign Operations bill offered by 
my friend and colleague Mr. Porter that would cut $25 million in United 
States economic aid to Turkey.
  By a decisive vote of 247 to 155, this House spoke out loud and clear 
that Turkey must be forced to pay a price for its continuing human 
rights violations and its refusal to act in good faith on the Cyprus 
issue.
  The House did the right thing when it passed the Porter amendment.
  I am also pleased that the Clinton administration is taking concrete 
actions on a variety of issues of importance to the Hellenic community.
  The President's appointment of a
   special emissary to Cyprus, Mr. Richard Beattie, was an important 
development. Mr. Beattie, and the special emissary to FYROM, Matt 
Nimitz, have both visited my district and spoken at heavily attended 
town hall meetings.

  The actions of the President and the Congress to help secure the 
release of the ``Omonia Four'' represent another example of progress in 
Greek-American relations. Many of us in this Chamber tonight worked 
very hard to gain the freedom of these ethnic Greeks who were unfairly 
imprisoned in Albania.
  Just this afternoon, several of us met at length with Ambassador 
Richard Holbrooke and other top State department officials and urged 
them to continue to press Turkey to come to a solution on Cyprus.
  And there are additional revenues for the supporters of Greece and 
Cyprus to take to keep Turkey's feet to the fire on these important 
matters.
  I strongly support the March 6 accord which will set a firm timetable 
for Cyprus' accession to the European Union.
  Conversely, the United States should condition the admission of 
Turkey into the European Customs Union on an improvement on Turkish 
human rights and progress on the Cyprus issue.
  We must likewise carefully monitor recent Turkish actions and 
bellicose statements with respect to the Law of the Sea Treaty. This 
important treaty has been signed by nearly 200 nations, including the 
United States and Greece, but Turkey has not only refused to sign, but 
has threatened war if Greece asserts its legitimate rights.
  We must continue to support the $15 million earmark for economic and 
peace-enhancing assistance for Cyprus, and I'm pleased that this aid 
was included in the recently-passed Foreign Operations bill.
  Finally, the United States must be mindful of a variety of Turkish 
abuses, even the ones that do not receive headlines. For example, the 
gentleman from Florida and I have introduced a House resolution to 
protect the Eastern Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarchate.
  In recent years, there have been terrible terrorist attacks on the 
Ecumenical Patriarchate premises in Turkey. In addition, religious 
schools have been shut down and freedom of religion threatened.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to conclude by thanking my colleagues, for once 
again joining in this special order.
  We must continue to rise each and every July to commemorate these 
terrible events and to fulfill our obligation to the missing in Cyprus, 
and all the Cypriot people that we will never forget their plight.
  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to thank my distinguished 
colleague, Mr. Bilirakis, for organizing this commemoration of a sad 
and frustrating anniversary.
  Twenty-one years--for many American young people, it's a coming of 
age. But for Cypriots, and for us tonight, its a reminder that on July 
20, 1974, Turkish troops invaded their island and began a military 
occupation.
  Today, 35,000 Turkish troops remain on Cyprus. They occupy one-third 
of the island. In a chilling reminder of the Berlin Wall, a barbed wire 
fence known as the Green Line cuts across Cyprus, separating thousands 
of Greek Cypriots from the towns and communities in which their 
families have lived for generations.
  As a result of the invasion 21 years ago, thousands of people were 
killed, more than 200,000 people were expelled from their homes, and 
today, more than 1,600 remain missing--including five Americans.
  Instead of helping us to locate the missing and enter negotiations 
aimed toward unity and freedom for Cypriots, Turkey today continues to 
keep troops on the island.
  U.S. Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali just last month called 
Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus ``one of the most highly militarized 
areas in the world.''
  Most disturbing of all, when you look at the amount of United States 
dollars flowing into Turkey today, it is nearly identical to the amount 
of money Turkey spends to keep those troops housed in Cyprus.
  So in effect, American taxpayers are paying to keep Turkish troops 
housed in Cyprus.
  Until Turkey begins to remove its troops from Cyprus, we have no 
business sending aid to Turkey. That is why I strongly supported the 
Porter amendment to the foreign operations appropriations bill.
  The Turkish government must know that the division of Cyprus will 
continue to be an obstacle to better relations with the United States.
  Over the past few years, we have witnessed tremendous changes around 
the world--the fall of the Berlin Wall, the beginning of reconciliation 
in the Middle East and the end of Apartheid. It is my sincere hope that 
soon we will be able to add Cyprus to that list of places where peace 
and freedom have triumphed.
  Mr. MANTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in this 
important special order marking the 21st anniversary of Turkey's 
invasion of Cyprus. At the outset, I want to thank my colleague Mr. 
Bilirakis for organizing this important special order to commemorate 
this anniversary.
  The division of Cyprus has the distinction of being one of the most 
intractable in the world today. Since Turkey first invaded Cyprus in 
1974, 1619 people including eight Americans last seen alive in the 
occupied areas of Cyprus have never been accounted for. We must not let 
the passage of years weaken our resolve to pressure the Turkish 
government to provide answers to the families of the missing. We cannot 
forget their suffering continues.
  Mr. Speaker, last year, when marking this solemn anniversary, many of 
us felt hopeful that this conflict would soon be resolved peacefully 
through the auspices of the United Nations. Today, while I applaud the 
efforts of United Nations to resolve the issue of the continuing 
division of Cyprus, I am very frustrated by Turkish leader Rauf 
Denktash's stubborn resistance to meaningful negotiations. Its not just 
Greek Cypriots and their supporters who think Denktash has been 
unreasonable.
  In December of 1993, in an effort to facilitate a peace resolution of 
the problem, President Clerides submitted to the United Nations a 
thoughtful and innovative proposal calling for the demilitarization of 
Cyprus. In exchange for the withdrawal of Turkish troops, Cyprus would 
disband its National Guard; transfer the National Guard's military 
equipment to the United Nations peace keeping force; and the money 
saved from Defense spending for development projects that would benefit 
both communities. Demilitarization would alleviate the security 
concerns of all parties and substantially enhance the prospects for a 
peaceful resolution of the problem. Once again the Turkish side 
rejected Cyprus' efforts toward ending the tragic unacceptable status 
quo. In April of this year I was proud to join my colleagues as a 
cosponsor of House Concurrent Resolution 42, which calls for the 
demilitarization of Cyprus. I urge my colleagues to join me as a co-
sponsor of this very important legislation.
  The United States Government has always supported a just and lasting 
solution to the Cyprus problem. It is important for the Congress to 
continue to firmly support the people of Cyprus by pressing Turkey to 
remove its illegal occupation force and to work constructively for a 
resolution of the problem in accordance with the relevant U.N. 
resolutions and agreements between the two sides. A just and lasting 
solution to the problem will benefit both communities on Cyprus, 
stabilize the often tenuous relationship between Greece and Turkey, as 
well as constitute a significant step towards peace in the unstable 
eastern Mediterranean region.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to commend the Secretary 
General for his tireless efforts to resolve this issue. I also want to 
recognize the Greek Cypriot people for their valiant commitment to 
resolving this conflict, 

[[Page H 7166]]
despite the seeming bad faith shown by the Turkish side. It is my hope 
that this will be the last year members must join to discuss the 
longstanding problems of the people of Cyprus, that next year we may 
join to celebrate the end to this conflict. Until that happens, the 
Turkish government must know we in the United States will continue to 
mark this anniversary and speak out for rights of the missing.
  Mr. DELLUMS. Mr. Speaker, 12 months have passed since we last 
recognized, and reminded ourselves that July 20, 1974 marks the 
occupation and division of the Republic of Cyprus. One of the tragic 
consequences of that invasion and occupation is the continued 
`disappearance' of almost 2,000 people.
  The passing years only add to our enormous embarrassment that 
although there is a great deal of evidence to indicate that these 
individuals were arrested by Turkish military personnel during the 
invasion and subsequent occupation, that we, the international 
community, have not been able to negotiate or pressure the Turkish 
government into releasing any information on these individuals.
  This 21st anniversary of that occupation presents us once again with 
the opportunity to support the work of the United Nations negotiating 
team's efforts to persuade Mr. Glafcos Clerides, President of the 
Republic of Cyprus, and Mr. Rauf Denktash, Turkish Cypriot leader, in 
reaching an understanding on obtaining information on these detainees.
  As always, I am honored to stand with my colleagues in calling upon 
the President to continue to work with the United Nations in resolving 
the issues of territorial control in Cyprus, in gaining knowledge of 
the 1,619 innocent people still missing and in achieving their eventual 
release.
  Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Speaker, this Thursday will mark the 21st 
anniversary of Turkey's invasion on the peaceful, self-governing island 
of Cyprus. For 21 years, Turkey has tried to make the island its own. 
It has done this by installing 80,000 illegal colonists, by maintaining 
over 30,000 heavily armed troops on the island, and by moving 200,000 
Greek Cypriots from their homes. Through 21 years of hardship, the 
people of Cyprus have held on to a hope for peace and for the return of 
their island. Their purpose has not been revenge, but negotiation and 
reconciliation. Here in the House of Representatives, we have the 
opportunity to help the cause of justice. I urge my colleagues to 
support House Concurrent Resolution 42, calling for demilitarization of 
Cyprus. I encourage them to cosponsor H.R. 3475, legislation I have 
introduced that would reduce United States aid to Turkey by $500,000 
per day until that country complies with several conditions, including 
progress toward withdrawal from Cyprus. As saddened as I am by their 
plight, as dismal as their treatment by a foreign force has been, we 
should all be inspired by the patience, courage and faith shown by the 
people of Cyprus. Let us make this the year when the people of Cyprus 
once again can govern themselves with peace and dignity.
  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to applaud and express my 
gratitude to my fellow colleagues for conducting this special order to 
acknowledge the 21st anniversary of the Turkish occupation of Cyprus.
  This year, the Members of the House meet again to remember this sad 
day and to denounce the atrocities taking place in Cyprus. There are 
still 1,619 people missing as a result of the occupation. Five of these 
missing persons are American citizens. This is an outrage.
  In the time since the Turks have taken over Cyprus the situation 
there has steadily worsened. The widespread violence and violations of 
human rights can not be ignored. Action must be taken to amend these 
horrible travesties.
  For some time I have been interested in the situation in Cyprus. I 
have supported legislation which would require an investigation into 
the whereabouts of United States citizens and others missing from 
Cyprus. Another bill I have supported would prohibit all United States 
military and economic assistance for Turkey until the Turkish 
Government takes responsibility for its actions in Cyprus and complies 
with its obligations under international law. I hope there will soon be 
a resolution to the problems in Cyprus once an for all.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, today's Special Order on Cyprus comes on the 
eve of the 21st anniversary of the brutal invasion by Turkish troops. I 
congratulate my friend, the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Bilirakis] for 
organizing this Special Order. The international community is still 
faced with the fact that in excess of 30,000 Turkish military personnel 
remain on the island to enforce an illegal partition and to protect a 
self-proclaimed government that has been recognized by only one other 
country--Turkey itself.
  Those of us in Congress who have supported a negotiated settlement to 
the dispute which has led to the division of Cyprus are painfully aware 
of the complexities of the issue, the injustices committed, and 
particularly the suffering over these many long years of the Cypriot 
people on both sides of the Green line.
  Indeed, Cyprus has become a code-word for stale-mate and 
intractability in international diplomacy.
  Last year, the House passed H.R. 2826, which provides for an 
investigation by the President of the whereabouts of persons mission in 
Cyprus since 1974. The resolution of the long lingering question of the 
whereabouts of 1,619 persons--including 5 Americans--needs to be 
resolved. The United Nations has been looking into this matter since 
the early 1980's. But has not solved a single case. I understand that 
former Ambassador Bob Dillon who has had long experience in the region 
will head an investigative team. I hope the administration and 
President Clinton will diligently pursue an investigation that can 
provide to the families and friends of the missing, some long overdue, 
answers. It is also hoped that the governments of Turkey and Cyprus 
will cooperate fully in providing all available information to the 
President as he conducts this investigation.
  Old history and grievances must be placed behind us as we seek to 
resolve the division of Cyprus. I hope and pray that both sides of the 
problem will reach within themselves to find and resolve to settle this 
persistent problem. The Greek Cypriots have demonstrated both, the 
flexibility and the spirit of compromise in recent rounds in U.N. 
sponsored talks. The international community and the U.N. should 
recognize this as we reevaluate our tactics in the light of the most 
recent failure to move beyond the current situation.
  I have urged and will continue to prod the administration to do more 
to focus the Turkish Government on the necessity of withdrawing from 
Cyprus without further delay. Regrettably, Prime Minister Ciller 
appears to be in a weak position, unable to reign in recalcitrant 
elements among Turkey's political and military establishment. But the 
fortunes of the people of Cyprus must not be held hostage to internal 
Turkish political problems.
  Twenty-one years is too long a time. There are now young people 
coming of age in Cyprus who know nothing other than the experience of 
living in a divided society. For this next generation what can guide 
them in learning to accept life with a neighboring but different 
culture? Time is running out for the possibility of achieving a 
peaceful settlement. The people of Cyprus now have to ask themselves if 
the enmity between the two communities is truly worth the price of a 
divided nation.
  As we approach the 21st anniversary of Turkey's invasion of Cyprus, 
let us call on the world community to help resolve this problem of a 
divided and occupied Cyprus.
  Mr. FAZIO. Mr. Speaker, this week marks the 21st year of the 
occupation and division of the Republic of Cyprus. This island nation 
that gained its independence from Great Britain over three decades ago 
was invaded by Turkey in 1974. Since the invasion, northern Cyprus has 
been in the grip of foreign occupation, a siege marked by violence and 
bloodshed.
  Over 1,600 people--among them 5 United States citizens--have been 
missing since the island was divided after the invasion. They remain 
unaccounted for. Their families have no idea whether they are sick or 
well, dead or alive.
  I want to once again profess my support for a negotiated peace on 
Cyprus, and for the reunification of this Mediterranean nation which 
has been our faithful ally over the course of its history. Lastly, Mr. 
Speaker, I wish to thank my colleague from Florida, [Mr. Bilirakis] for 
his devotion and dedication to the Cyprus issue. Every year, Mr. 
Bilirakis is instrumental in calling this special order and providing 
us with an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the innocent 
victims and families of Cyprus' occupation, as well as to an end to the 
turmoil and conflict under which Cypriots are forced to live. I am, as 
always, pleased to join my colleagues in recognition of this solemn 
anniversary.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in 
commemorating a tragic event--Turkey's military invasion of the 
Republic of Cyprus in July 1974. But I think we all agree that the even 
greater tragedy is the fact that 21 years later, Turkey's illegal 
occupation of northern Cyprus remains in place and the suffering of the 
people of Cyprus continues.
  Driven from their homes and villages, brutalized, and denied 
information as to the fate of over 1,600 loved ones missing since the 
invasion, the people of Cyprus have patiently cooperated with 
international negotiators--for 21 years) in the hopes of securing a 
peaceful coexistence.
  Mr. Speaker, Greek-Americans in San Diego and across the United 
States also share in the agony created by the occupation of Cyprus. 
They agonize about mission friends and family, the destruction of the 
Greek Cypriot culture and the denial of access to ancestral homelands 
now occupied by the Turkish Army. These people have suffered too long. 

[[Page H 7167]]

  And so, together with the Greek-American community, I urge Congress 
and the administration to adopt a far more active role in pressing the 
Turkish Government to withdraw its troops from Cyprus, end the human 
rights abuses there and provide a full accounting of those who are 
missing.
  It is time we let Turkey know that a peaceful resolution to this 
crisis is tragically overdue.
  Mrs. KELLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join with my colleagues in 
marking the tragic events that occurred 21 years ago on the Island of 
Cyprus. On July 20, 1974, the Government of Turkey sent troops to 
Cyprus and forcefully assumed control of more than one-third of the 
island. This action dislocated much of the Greek Cypriot population, 
creating a refugee problem that exists to this day. Additionally, over 
1,600 Greek Cypriots are still missing or unaccounted for as a result 
of this brutal invasion.
  The Turkish Cypriot community has continually shown its unwillingness 
to move toward a negotiated settlement with their Greek neighbors. The 
removal of the roughly 35,000 Turkish troops from the Island of Cyprus 
is central to any such agreement. However, the Turkish Government is 
doing the exact opposite. They continue their arms buildup on the 
island, in effect making any sort of rapprochement all the more 
unlikely.
  The Greek Cypriots have demonstrated repeatedly their flexibility and 
willingness to compromise in order to bring an end to this long-
standing dispute. As late as last year, President Glafcos Clerides of 
Cyprus unveiled a plan that would demilitarize the island. This 
proposal should be commended. The United States has also taken steps to 
facilitate an agreement. Earlier this year, President Clinton appointed 
a Special Envoy for Cyprus and dispatched Assistant Secretary of State 
Richard Holbrooke to the region in hopes of helping to achieve a 
solution.
  However, these efforts have failed to produce any movement toward an 
agreement. It is time that the United States Government take bold steps 
to show its resolve to the Turkish Government that it is serious about 
moving toward peace on Cyprus. In this regard, I am pleased to be a 
cosponsor to House Concurrent Resolution 42, which officially calls for 
the demilitarization of Cyprus. Perhaps more importantly, I was very 
encouraged by the passage of an amendment to H.R. 1868, the Foreign 
Operations Appropriations Act, which cuts economic support funds and 
military assistance to Turkey until it withdraws its troops from 
Cyprus, lifts its blockade of Armenia, and makes progress on extending 
political and economic rights to is Kurdish minorities.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with decisive steps such as these that we can 
begin to hope for a brighter future for Cyprus. I wish to commend the 
gentleman from Florida, [Mr. Bilirakis] for his steadfast work in this 
area. I look forward to working with him, and all my colleagues who 
share our concerns, to achieve a unified and peaceful Cyprus in the 
future.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, today we commemorate the 21st 
anniversary of a very sad event when a democratic country, Cyprus, fell 
victim to a foreign army.
  Today, all the people of that country continue to suffer the ill 
consequences of that intervention and a military occupation of part of 
Cyprus.
  The situation in Cyprus deserves our attention.
  As a country at the crossroads of the great civilizations of Europe 
and the Middle East, Cyprus has long been an island where people from 
all these civilizations and cultures mingled freely and in harmony.
  Twenty-one years ago, the population of Cyprus lived in peace and 
friendship despite the differences in religion, language, and national 
origin.
  The Greek Cypriots did not abuse their electoral strength, and 
despite being 80 percent of the Cypriot population, they did not use 
the opportunity to deny the other citizens and residents of Cyprus of 
their rights to full participation in that democratic system.
  Nonetheless, outside intervention led to the division of the country.
  Since then, all efforts to restore Cyprus to national sovereignty and 
to restore the legitimate government's authority over all the national 
territory have been to no avail.
  I sincerely hope that all parties to this conflict will heed the 
consensus among the democratic states of the world and put an end to 
its illegal occupation of the northern portion of Cyprus.
  A continuation of a divided Cyprus is not in the interest of any of 
the citizens of that country.
  Since the foreign occupation of the northern part of the island, the 
per capita income of the Cypriots living under the legitimate and 
recognized Government of the Republic of Cyprus in the south has soared 
from less than $1,500 in 1973 to $10,430 in 1993, while those who live 
in the occupied territory have seen their incomes stagnating.
  The European Union is moving toward a decision in which the residents 
of the area under the control of the legitimate Government of Cyprus 
will be offered membership in the European Union, while simultaneously 
taking measures to further isolate the residents of the occupied 
territory from their market opportunities in Europe.
  A settlement in Cyprus would be good for all countries in the region.
  As I understand it, the European Union is willing to negotiate a 
customs union with Turkey which would give Turkey duty free access to 
the 367 million residents of the European Union countries. Thus, both 
Greece and Turkey will be able to move beyond the misunderstandings and 
conflicts of the past and become part of a customs union that will 
bring increased prosperity to both countries.
  But that customs union cannot be achieved until there is a settlement 
in Cyprus to restore the legitimate government to full control of the 
island, and the withdrawal of all foreign troops from that island.
  The expansion of democracy throughout Cyprus is a noble goal, that I 
urge all Members to support.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness and frustration 
that I rise tonight to commemorate the anniversary of an international 
crisis that has to date defied resolution. Twenty-one years ago, 
demonstrating a gross disrespect for both international law and human 
life, Turkish troops stormed into the Mediterranean island nation of 
Cyprus and stole its independence. Defiantly ignoring the calls of the 
United Nations and NATO to allow Cyprus to resume its existence as a 
free and sovereign country, Turkey currently maintains its illegal 
occupation of the island with a force of over 30,000.
  As we gather here to remember those who have died, as well as those 
who today live in a divided country, we must also be sure to vigorously 
communicate our determination to persevere until Cyprus is once again 
free. We must continue to point out, as I and my fellow cosponsors have 
done in House Concurrent Resolution 42, that the presence of 30,000-
plus Turkish troops ``hampers the search for a freely negotiated 
solution to the dispute regarding Cyprus.'' Calling for a complete 
demilitarization of the island, House Concurrent Resolution 42 asks for 
nothing more than Turkish compliance with the numerous resolutions 
passed by the United Nations Security Council.
  And if the Turks continue to resist the idea of a sovereign, 
independent Cyprus, let there be no doubt that we will continue--just 
as I and many of my colleagues joined together to do in voting for the 
Porter amendment to the fiscal year 1996 foreign operations bill--to 
cut U.S. assistance to them.
  Mr. Speaker, we should be proud of our efforts in the Congress to 
resolve this situation, but there is much work that still needs to be 
done. Answers must be found for those who have disappeared, including 
five Americans who were in Turkish held territory, following the 1974 
invasion; in the absence of a complete Turkish withdrawal from the 
island, human rights improvements for the Cypriots must be secured; and 
the regional instability caused by tension between Greece and Turkey 
must be contained.
  Thus, although we hope we will not have to return to commemorate this 
event next year, be assured that we will return for as many years as it 
takes to once again see a peaceful and independent State of Cyprus.
  Mr. Speaker, I again thank the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Bilirakis] 
for organizing this special order and for his leadership on this issue 
and on many others.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. I thank the gentlewoman for her wonderful words.
  Very quickly, getting back to demilitarization. Demilitarization is 
crucial to a satisfactory resolution of the division of this island-
nation. In fact, this couldn't have been made more clear than in a 
recent report submitted to the U.N. Security Council regarding its 
resolution renewing the U.N. peace-keeping force in Cyprus. In that 
report, U.N. Secretary General, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, referred to 
occupied Cyprus as ``one of the most highly militarized areas in the 
world.''
  Demilitarization would alleviate the security concerns of all parties 
and substantially enhance the prospects for a peaceful resolution of 
the problem.
  In addition to these efforts, the United States and the international 
community have undertaken numerous other endeavors to end the 
occupation, but again and again the Turkish side has resisted.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Klink].
  Mr. KLINK. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, the other 
half of the Hellenian Caucus, for yielding, and I thank him for his 
leadership on this issue. 

[[Page H 7168]]

  I note you have a brief amount of time. I will just try to mention 
some things I do not think have been said, maybe putting this in a 
different perspective.
  When it comes to the topic of Cyprus, there are so many paradoxes 
involved here. If you go back to September 14, 1829, after a tenacious 
8-year battle, Hellenic troops were able to conquer larger Ottoman 
forces. The Greeks finally won their recognition as a sovereign state. 
They did that with the support of countries like Russia, Britain, 
France, and the United States, all supporting a return of democracy to 
the Greeks.
  Yet, now for 21 years, these countries and many others around the 
world have turned their backs on Cyprus and the situation in Cyprus. It 
is the Greeks themselves who are credited with the entire concept of
 democracy. As early as the sixth century B.C., the ideas upon which 
our own Constitution was written were being debated by the ancient 
Athenian philosophers. Greeks were the first people to believe all 
persons are created equal and should be recognized as so, and these 
people can go and govern their own affairs. Yet, for 21 years on 
Cyprus, the Greeks who lived there, the Cypriots there, have not been 
allowed to do that.

  Hundreds of years after the Greeks first talked about democracy, our 
own Founding Fathers referred to the wisdom of Pericles, Plato, and 
Aristotle in drafting the principles of America's own democracy and 
Constitution. Yet, we turn our back for 21 years on what has occurred 
in Cyprus.
  When and under what other circumstance would this Nation turn its 
back on five American citizens captured and held? The gentleman from 
Ohio [Mr. Hoke] referred to a 17-year-old boy, who is a 38-year-old 
man, if he is alive. He had his passport in his hand.
  The family was there, along with five Americans, along with 1,600 
Greek Cypriots, who have not been heard of for 21 years. Yet, our 
Nation stands by, giving millions of dollars in economic aid to Turkey, 
giving hundreds of millions of dollars in military aid to Turkey.
  In fact, it is amazing, if you take a look at those figures, the 
amount of money coming from the United States to Turkey is about what 
it costs that nation to be able to occupy Cyprus each of those 21 
years, and every time the United Nations has spoken up on Cyprus, they 
have found that the Turkish Government has not paid attention. They 
have ignored everything we have done.
  So I say to the gentleman, I am proud to be here on the floor with 
you commemorating this, and I hope that we never have to do this again, 
that something before the next anniversary comes up will occur so the 
people of Cyprus can again know the freedom that Greeks for centuries 
have talked about and people of this country for 200 years have also 
spoken about.

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