[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 97 (Monday, July 20, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S8577]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 ANNIVERSARY OF THE INVASION OF CYPRUS

 Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President: Twenty four years ago today, 
Turkish troops invaded and divided the nation of Cyprus. This illegal 
and immoral division of Cyprus continues today--dividing a country and 
creating instability in the Mediterranean.
  During the early days of the Turkish occupation, six thousand Greek-
Cypriots were killed. Over two hundred thousand were driven from their 
homes. Many of the missing, including some Americans, have never been 
accounted for.
  Little has changed in the past quarter century. Today, forty thousand 
Turkish troops remain in Cyprus. The Greek-Cypriots who remain in the 
northern part of the island are denied basic human rights such as the 
right to a free press, freedom to travel, and access to religious 
sites.
  I am disappointed that we have made no progress in ending the 
occupation of Cyprus. Earlier this year, there were reasons to be 
hopeful. We thought that possible European Union membership would made 
Turkey more receptive to peace talks. but Turkey is not on the short 
list for EU membership--and Turkey responded by imposing preconditions 
on any negotiations. So we are far as ever from a peaceful solution for 
Cyprus.
  This year, as we mark this somber anniversary, I urge my colleagues 
to join me in recommitting ourselves to bring peace to Cyprus.
  First of all, we must continue to make the resolution of the Cyprus 
problem a priority. President Clinton and Secretary of State Albright 
have focused more attention on this region that any other 
Administration. Ambassador Richard Holbrooke and Ambassador Tom Miller 
have done an excellent job trying to bring both sides together. As 
Ambassador Holbrooke assumes his new responsibilities at the United 
Nations, we must encourage the Administration to replace him with an 
emissary of equal stature.
  The secondary priority is that we must continue to provide 
humanitarian assistance to the people of Cyprus. Each year, Congress 
provides fifty million dollars to foster bicommunal cooperation in 
Cyprus. These funds are used for education, health care, and to help 
both communities to solve regional problems--such as to improve water 
and energy supplies.
  The third priority is that Congress should pass the Enclaved People 
of Cyprus Act. Senator Olympia Snowe and I introduced this legislation 
to call for improved human rights for the Greek Cypriots living under 
Turkish control.
  Mr. President: The crisis in Cyprus has brought two NATO allies to 
the brink of war. The occupation is also a human tragedy that should 
enrage all of us who care about human rights. I urge my colleagues to 
continue to work toward a peaceful and unified Cyprus.

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