[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 100 (Wednesday, July 18, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1362]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    27TH ANNIVERSARY OF TURKEY'S INVASION OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL E. CAPUANO

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 18, 2001

  Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, today marks the 27th anniversary of one of 
the most devastating events in Greek-Turkish-Cypriot relations. On July 
20th 1974, troops from Turkey started a campaign that displaced almost 
200,000 Greek Cypriots from the northern part of the island of Cyprus. 
Throughout this invasion, over 1,600 men, women, and children 
disappeared. To date, the Turkish government declines to supply any 
information regarding their whereabouts. After twenty-five years, Greek 
Cypriots still remain refugees within their own country and are not 
allowed to return to their homes.
  Turkey has spent a great deal of time working to modify the 
demographic structure in Northern Cyprus. The Turkish government has 
resettled 80,000 Turkish citizens to this area, mostly to the homes of 
the Greek Cypriots who were evicted. Turkey also promoted a 
``unilateral declaration of independence'' by the Turkish Republic of 
Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in 1983, although this was condemned by the UN 
Security Council and the U.S. government. Turkey is the only country 
that officially recognizes the TRNC as a sovereign state to this day.
  As atrocities against various ethnic groups plague our world today, 
it is time to confront the aggression of the Turkish government against 
the Greek Cypriots. Although there have been attempts to settle this 
dispute peacefully, Greeks on Cyprus continue to suffer, especially 
when you take human rights into consideration. They are often banned 
from attending school and work, are not permitted to obtain medical 
care, and are kept from their families living in the Republic of 
Cyprus. This is a gross infringement on their basic human rights and 
clearly violates of international law.
  Mr. Speaker, although there have been numerous UN resolutions for 
Turkey to return these refugees to their homes and withdraw its troops, 
the Turkish government has unashamedly ignored these requests. With the 
entire international community working hard to remedy this issue 
peacefully by continuously requesting that the Turkish government 
respect the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Cyprus, it 
is disconcerting to watch as they disregard these various offers of 
help. Not only is this an affront to the United Sates, but the global 
community as a whole.
  In spite of these setbacks, the United States, as well as the rest of 
the international community, must carry on their effort to find a 
peaceful resolution to this struggle that has split Cyprus in two. As a 
member of Congress, I will continue to do all that I can to bring about 
Justice for the Greek Cypriots.
  Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

                          ____________________