[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 107 (Friday, July 27, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1462-E1463]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TURKEY INVASION OF CYPRUS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PATRICK J. KENNEDY

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 27, 2001

  Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Mr. Speaker, I would first like to thank 
my colleague from Florida, Mr. Bilirakis, for organizing this special 
event to commemorate the 27th anniversary of the Turkish occupation of 
the island of Cyprus.
  In 1960, the Republic of Cyprus was formed after the island was 
granted independence by Great Britain. However, the people of Cyprus 
enjoyed this freedom for only fourteen short years. On July 20th 1974, 
sixteen days after our own independence day, Turkish troops invaded and 
took control of one third of the island nation. The Republic of Cyprus 
was then divided into two parts--Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of 
Northern Cyprus--by a 113 mile barbed wire fence. This present day 
equivalent of a Berlin Wall remains standing even now. As a result, 
over 200,000 Greek Cypriots were displaced and forced to flee their 
homes. To this day, they are not permitted to return.
  The Turkish government has made little progress in normalizing any 
sort of relations with Cyprus. The Turkish government still maintains 
35,000 troops on the island, making it one of the most militarized 
areas in the world. Most recently, the Turkish Cypriot leader refused 
to take part in talks with the U.N. Security Council about the issue of 
Cyprus unless his own preconditions were met.
  Most disturbing though, the Turkish government is guilty of countless 
human rights violations against the island of Cyprus, including 
continued inhuman treatment, harassment, and intimidation. Because of 
this deplorable human rights record, no other nation besides Turkey 
itself recognizes the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. It is a 
cruel irony that Cyprus, a nation so rich in history and culture, has 
been subdued by the most barbaric of methods-unlawful military 
occupation.
  There is a glimmer of hope, though, despite the bleak outlook. The 
Republic of Cyprus is expected to be brought into the European Union. I 
hope that with their acceptance into the European Union, Cyprus will 
once again

[[Page E1463]]

be able to become a free and united nation. And as a free and united 
nation, Cyprus will grant stability to a violate area of the world 
where the United States has crucial interests.
  Mr. Speaker, during my years in congress, I have worked diligently on 
behalf of the Greek and Cypriot community to help locate family members 
lost during the Turkish invasion and advocated for the removal of the 
barbed wire which prevents the restoration of a independent and united 
Cyprus.
  This Congress has let the issue of Cyprus remain quiet for too long. 
I ask my colleagues to show their strong support for a united Cyprus.

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