[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 151 (Wednesday, October 21, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2294]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


           THE AMERICAN COMMITMENT TO HUMAN RIGHTS ON CYPRUS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 21, 1998

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to share with my colleagues the 
following remarks by George Paraskevaides, a renowned Cypriot 
businessman, concerning the situation on Cyprus. Mr. Paraskevaides, a 
very good friend of the United States, as a citizen of Cyprus, has some 
excellent insights to offer with regard to why the American people need 
to be concerned about achieving a peaceful and just solution to the 
Cyprus problem.
  Mr. Speaker I submit the full text of Mr. Paraskevaides address to 
the 50th Annual Dinner Dance of the American-Hellenic chamber of 
Commerce to be inserted at this point in the Record.

                  Address by Mr. George Paraskevaides

       Your decision to honour me with the `Man of the Year' 
     award, on this your 50th Anniversary Dinner Dance, has deeply 
     touched me, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. 
     Please allow me, to consider this honour as extending to all 
     Cypriots, both in and out of Cyprus, who are struggling for 
     the liberation of our country.
       Although not a resident of this great country, I am well 
     aware of the success of your business activities, which, in 
     many cases, are not limited to the boundaries of the United 
     States.
       I am sure that all of you, Americans, Greek-Americans and 
     Cypriot-Americans, are very concerned with the problems of 
     Hellenism. Among these, the Cyprus problem is very high on 
     the list of priorities, and I beg your permission to 
     elaborate on this.
       I am of the opinion, that we all agree, that the Second 
     World War was a disaster for mankind, with millions of 
     victims. We also believed that such sacrifice would have 
     resulted in universal freedom, democracy, the Rule of Law, 
     and respect for Human Rights. Principles that should apply to 
     every corner of the world.
       Regrettably, since the tragic events of 1974, when Turkey 
     invaded Cyprus, these principles, which form the corner stone 
     of the Constitution of the United States, and of the Free 
     World, have not been implemented in my country. The Turkish 
     occupation, with all its evils, still continues.
       You are citizens of the United States of America; but you 
     are also descendants of ancient Greeks, and you carry with 
     you the ideals of Democracy. You are more sensitive to its 
     principles, because democracy grew out of the bones of your 
     ancestors.
       The ancient Greeks, did not keep democracy and civilization 
     to themselves; they spread them, and taught them to the 
     world, through Alexander the Great.
       Nobody can deny the great and important role that the 
     Greeks contributed to today's civilization. The world, no 
     doubt, is grateful to Greece.
       It is my humble request, that you sustain and even 
     increase, if possible, the efforts of the world Hellenism to 
     help Cyprus resolve its tragic situation, and reach a fair 
     solution of its national problem, for all its people, whether 
     Greek, or Turkish, or other ethnic minorities. I have no 
     doubt that the misery and suffering brought about by the 
     Turkish occupation, have increased the desire of all Cypriots 
     to live together against as friends, in a united and peaceful 
     country without armies.
       Dear friends, the island of Cyprus, in the center of the 
     Eastern Mediterranean, can be made into a shining star, which 
     can help to change the whole of the Mediterranean, so that 
     the people of the area can live in brotherly peace, for the 
     glory of peace in the whole world.
       Thank you once again for honouring me tonight, and on 
     behalf of my wife and family, and my fellow Cypriots, I wish 
     you health, happiness and continuous progress with God's 
     blessings.
       God bless America and Cyprus.

       

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