[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 118 (Thursday, July 20, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1484]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


      TWENTY-FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE TURKISH OCCUPATION OF CYPRUS

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                       HON. JOSEPH P. KENNEDY II

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 20, 1995
  Mr. KENNEDY of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I had hoped that this 
would not be necessary. Yet here we are again, observing yet another 
anniversary of this awful tragedy--the occupation of Cyprus by Turkish 
forces.
  The whole world recognizes the injustice of the situation:
  The United Nations has adopted a Security Council Resolution calling 
for a settlement that respects the sovereignty of Cyprus.
  The European Union has taken steps to include Cyprus as a member 
state. Greece is cooperating in the process by lifting its veto against 
Turkey's customs union with the EU. Yet Turkey remains intransigent. 
More must be done.
  I am pleased that President Clinton has demonstrated his commitment 
to a resolution of the problem by this appointment of a Special 
Presidential Emissary for Cyprus.
  Recently, President Clerides of Cyprus proposed a plan that calls for 
the demilitarization of the island. With more than one third of Cyprus 
under foreign occupation by 30,000 troops, demilitarization offers an 
opportunity to build an atmosphere of trust that could bring the sides 
closer to a framework for a resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I support President Clerides' efforts to introduce a new 
approach that recognizes the need for bold diplomatic initiatives to 
solve this intractable problem. The world has seen many promising signs 
for the cause of peace. The fragile processes in the Middle East and 
Northern Ireland are two examples where progress has occurred despite 
great difficulties and decades old animosities. We have an opportunity 
now to commit ourselves to an initiative that offers the possibility of 
demilitarizing this land which has suffered so much.
  But these hopeful signs do not quiet the suffering of the island's 
people. International diplomatic efforts are meaningless if they do not 
lead to a resolution. For twenty-one years, the people of Cyprus have 
lived under foreign occupation. Twenty-one years! The families who 
grieve for fathers and mothers and sons and daughters killed or missing 
since the occupation have waited too long for a just settlement.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my sincere hope that this is the last time we find 
ourselves on the floor of this House marking yet another anniversary of 
this occupation.


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