[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 106 (Thursday, July 24, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1510]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      OBSERVING THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE TURKISH INVASION OF CYPRUS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. JOSEPH P. KENNEDY II

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 24, 1997

  Mr. KENNEDY of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, on July 20, 1974, Turkish 
troops landed on the island of Cyprus. The ensuing 23-year occupation 
has been a tragedy for the people of Cyprus and an embarrassment to the 
NATO alliance.
  The United States has a special responsibility to play a role in the 
resolution of the Cyprus dilemma. Twenty-three years ago, as Washington 
was paralyzed by the Watergate scandal, the administration turned a 
blind eye to the crisis that was mounting in the Eastern Mediterranean. 
For many years prior to 1974, Washington had ignored Turkey's overt 
threats against Cyprus. In 1974, we watched with cold indifference as 
Turkish troops invaded the island. Our failure to avert the Cyprus 
conflict and to achieve a diplomatic solution to the standoff helped 
seal the fate of the island for the next 23 years. It is for this 
reason that the United States has a duty to help achieve peace on 
Cyprus.
  I commend President Clinton and my colleagues here in the House for 
turning the spotlight on the tragedy of Cyprus. Recent United States 
diplomatic initiatives and the appointment of Richard Holbrooke as 
Special Emissary for Cyprus give new hope that an old struggle may be 
resolved. The United Nations-sponsored talks between President Clerides 
and Mr. Denktash in New York City are another promising step. Congress 
must continue to support the President and the international community 
in this long-overdue effort.
  We may not be able to bring back the Greek-Cypriots who perished and 
disappeared at the hands of Turkish troops. But we can take occasions 
such as this to remember those who have suffered, and we can continue 
to search for answers to the cases of missing persons. And we can honor 
them by working to help today's Cypriots realize their dreams of a 
free, unified Cyprus. In doing so, we may be able to secure lasting 
peace and economic security for a people who are so richly deserving of 
it.

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