[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 106 (Thursday, July 18, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1321]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    THE CONTINUING STRIKE IN CYPRUS

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 18, 1996

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recall the unprovoked 
Turkish invasion of Cyprus on July 20, 1974, and the strife that still 
exists on the island as a result of Turkish aggression.
  After Cyprus gained independence from Great Britain in 1960, the 
island, whose population remains nearly 80 percent Greek, experienced 
clashes between the Greek and Turkish communities. Despite the 
overwhelmingly Greek population and culture dating back to ancient 
times, the Turkish government invaded Cyprus during a transition in 
political rule. Turkish forces invaded the northern coast of the island 
and soon amassed 30,000 troops that quickly overwhelmed the unexpecting 
Greek Cypriot population. Although the U.N. Security Council negotiated 
peace talks, the Turkish forces controlled 37 percent of Cyprus by 
August, leaving one-third of the Cypriot population homeless and more 
than 1,600 persons still unaccounted for to this day--including 5 
Americans.
  Now, 22 years later, Cyprus remains divided despite repeated attempts 
at peace talks. Greek Cypriots who lived in towns for generations now 
stare across a barbed-wire fence that divides them from the Turkish 
controlled section of their homeland where their homes, property, and 
churches have been destroyed. This 112-mile border that divides the 
Greek south from the Turkish-controlled north, is as tense as the old 
Berlin Wall. U.N. troops still patrol this partition that has existed 
since the Turkish invasion.
  Mr. Speaker, after 22 years of cold war, sharp division, unanswered 
questions, and tension created by Turkish actions since 1974, there 
must be a resolution and settlement since this situation is tragic for 
Greek Cypriots and a real danger to greater European peace and 
security.
  Cyprus should be a free and open state and those responsible for the 
tragedies and crimes of the past and present should be held accountable 
and brought to justice.

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