[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 118 (Thursday, July 20, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1485]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


               THE TURKISH OCCUPATION OF CYPRUS MUST END

                                 ______


                            HON. DICK ZIMMER

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, July 20, 1995
  Mr. ZIMMER. Mr. Speaker, today marks the 21st anniversary of the 
illegal Turkish occupation of 40 percent of the island of Cyprus. As I 
have in the past, I once again urge Turkey to end that occupation so 
that the people of Cyprus can work toward a peaceful, democratic and 
independent future.
  This House recently approved an amendment by Congressman Porter to 
reduce United States aid to Turkey. This amendment was in part the 
result of Turkey's blind disregard for the territorial integrity of 
Cyprus.
  The Porter amendment represented the second time we have voted to 
reduce aid to Turkey because of its abuses of human rights and 
international law. I hope it will be the last.
  Turkey must realize that we are growing impatient with its empty 
promises to address the Cyprus problem. For 20 years it has ignored or 
rejected virtually all calls to end its occupation and resolve the 
problems it has created.
  As a result, there are still five Americans whose whereabouts remains 
unknown after they were swept up in the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 
1974. There are also 1,614 Greek Cypriots who were abducted during that 
invasion and who remain unaccounted for today.
  Seventeen years ago, Congress agreed to lift the partial arms embargo 
it had imposed on Turkey for treaty violations on the condition that 
Turkey would work toward a lasting resolution of the Cyprus problem.
  And what has happened in 17 years? Nothing, Mr. Speaker. Rather than 
trying to resolve the problem, in fact, Turkey has aggravated it by 
declaring, in 1983, the independence of its occupied land on Cyprus and 
naming it the ``Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.''
  That was not the peaceful resolution that Cyprus had expected. And it 
is time that we make it clear that our patience with procrastination 
and broken promises is exhausted.
  Mr. Speaker, i continue to support legislation offered by Mr. Andrews 
and Mr. Porter that would ban all aid to Turkey until the Turkish 
Government complies with a number of conditions relating to human 
rights, as well as the condition that Turkey withdraw its troops from 
Cyprus.
  Until Turkey withdraws its troops, we have little hope for a 
resolution. If we do not demand decisive action by Turkey and hold that 
nation accountable for its deeds, we will be back here next year sadly 
noting the 22d anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus.