[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 130 (Tuesday, October 2, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1755-E1756]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   THE 41ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH CROWLEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 2, 2001

  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, October 1, 2001, marks the 41st anniversary 
of the Independence of Republic of Cyprus. It was on this date in 1960 
that Cyprus became an independent republic after decades of British 
colonial rule. Cyprus and the United States have much in common. Both 
countries achieved their independence from Britain, and commemorate the 
anniversary of that independence as their national holiday. Moreover, 
both the United States and Cyprus maintain close relations with Britain 
today.
  Cyprus and the United States also share a deep and abiding commitment 
to democracy, human rights, free markets, and the ideal and practice of 
equal justice under law. This year, the people of Cyprus and the 
Cypriot-American community mark Cyprus Independence Day with a heavy 
heart, as the shock and grief over the September 11 terrorist attacks 
continues to be felt. The leaders and the people of Cyprus have 
expressed strong condemnation for the terrorists and those who support 
them, while voicing their solidarity with the American people. The 
Cyprus government has pledged to cooperate with the U.S. Government and 
all the other governments engaged in the battle against terrorism. 
Messages from Cypriot officials and religious leaders, including Cyprus 
President Glafcos Clerides, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus, 
the Ambassador of Cyprus to the United States Erato Kozakou Marcoullis, 
and the Primate of the Cyprus Church, Archbishop Chrysostomos, 
expressed shock and horror at these devastating attacks and a 
commitment of support and friendship in a time of need.
  Within hours of the terrorist attacks, Cyprus President Glafcos 
Clerides--who was on his way to New York at the time for meetings at 
the U.N.--strongly denounced the terrorist attacks. In a message to 
President Bush the day after the attacks, the Cyprus President strongly 
condemned, ``in the most unequivocal manner, these cowardly, horrific 
acts against the American people and extend to the families of the 
victims my heartfelt condolences on behalf of the government and the 
people of Cyprus.'' In its September 12 statement, the Ministry of 
Foreign Affairs of Cyprus noted that, ``The terrorist attacks were 
attacks not

[[Page E1756]]

against the United States and its people but against the international 
legal order, democracy, freedom and the most fundamental of all human 
rights, that of the right to life. Yesterday, terrorists attacked 
humanity and human dignity.'' The statement continued, ``Yesterday's 
events underline that the members of the international community, both 
individually and collectively, must redouble their efforts in a more 
systematic and coordinated manner to fight terrorism and its 
sponsorship.''
  The Cyprus Government, adopting a decision by the European Union, 
declared September 14 a Day of Mourning for the victims. Flags were 
flown at half-mast, while high-ranking officials and ordinary people 
signed a book of condolences at the U.S. Embassy in the capital of 
Nicosia. Many Cypriots laid flowers at the Embassy.
  Overseas Cypriots have also denounced the terrorist attacks against 
the US, describing them as ``barbaric acts against humanity.'' The 
International Coordinating Committee Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA), the 
World Federation of Overseas Cypriots (POMAK) and all their member 
organizations worldwide, said they were devastated by the terrorist 
attacks against thousands of people in the U.S. and that ``these 
barbaric acts against humanity prove nothing but the apathy and 
sickness of those committing them. Our prayers are for the families and 
with those missing and unaccounted for, and we praise those individuals 
who have given themselves selflessly, helping to the best of their 
abilities.''
  Sadly, at least one American of Cypriot descent was killed in the 
attacks. Michael Tarrou, 38, an air steward, and his fiancee Amy King, 
were aboard United Airlines flight 175, which crashed into one of the 
World Trade Center towers. United States Ambassador to Cyprus Donald 
Bandler expressed gratitude for the sympathy and support received from 
the Cyprus government and people and expressed his condolences ``to 
Cypriots who have lost members of their family and friends in this 
tragic and senseless attack.''
  Unfortunately, the commemoration of Cyprus's Independence Day is also 
clouded by the fact that 37 percent of the Mediterranean island 
nation's territory continues to be occupied by a hostile foreign power, 
as it has been for more than a quarter of a century. On July 20, 1974, 
Turkey invaded Cyprus, and to this day continues to maintain an 
estimated 35,000 heavily armed troops. Nearly 200,000 Greek Cypriots, 
who fell victim to a policy of ethnic cleansing, were forcibly evicted 
from their homes and became refugees in their own country. 1,493 Greek 
Cypriots, including four Americans of Cypriot descent, have been 
missing since 1974; the remains of another Cypriot American were found 
and identified in 1997, following an investigation mandated by the 
United States Congress.
  In 1983, in flagrant violation of international law and the treaties 
establishing the Republic of Cyprus and guaranteeing its independence 
and territorial integrity, Ankara promoted a ``unilateral declaration 
of independence'' in the area under its military occupation. The U.S. 
Government and the U.N. Security Council condemned the declaration and 
attempted secession. To date, no other country in the world except 
Turkey recognized the so-called ``Turkish Republic of Northern 
Cyprus.''
  In a landmark May 10, 2001 decision, the European Court of Human 
Rights found Turkey responsible for continuing violations of human 
rights, emphasizing that the Republic of Cyprus is the sole legitimate 
Government of Cyprus and pointing out that Turkey is engaged in the 
policies and actions of the illegal occupation regime.
  Since 1974, the U.N. has adopted numerous resolutions on Cyprus that 
call for the withdrawal of all foreign forces from the island, the 
return of the refugees to their homes in safety and respect for the 
sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and unity of the 
Republic of Cyprus. The Security Council stated in 1999 that, ``a 
Cyprus settlement must be based on a State of Cyprus with a single 
sovereignty and international personality and a single citizenship, 
with its independence and territorial integrity safeguarded and 
comprising two political equal communities as described in the relevant 
Security Council resolutions, in a bicommunal and bi-zonal federation 
and that such a settlement must exclude union in whole or in part with 
any other country or any form of partition of secession.'' These 
parameters were reiterated by the Security Council on June 11, 2001.
  The Government of the Republic of Cyprus accepts these parameters as 
the basis for negotiations leading to the reunification of the island. 
However, Rauf Denktash, the leader of the Turkish-Cypriot side, backed 
by Ankara, withdrew from the peace talks last November and earlier this 
month rejected U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan's invitation to resume 
the talks on September 12, claiming the ground had not been prepared 
for talks and insisting on his demand for recognition of his self-
styled regime in Turkish occupied Cyprus.
  On September 26, 2001, the U.N. Security Council expressed 
disappointment over the ``unjustified decision'' of the Turkish side to 
decline an invitation by the U.N. Secretary General to resume the 
search for a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus in New York in 
September. The Council stressed that ``progress can only be made at the 
negotiating table'' and urged all those concerned to cooperate with 
Kofi Annan and his Special Adviser Alvaro de Soto to help move the 
peace process forward. Council members encouraged the Secretary General 
and his Special Adviser to ``continue their efforts using the 
guidelines in Security Council resolutions 1250, namely that there 
should be no preconditions, that all issues are on the table, that both 
sides should make a commitment in good faith to negotiate until a 
settlement is reached and that there should be a full consideration of 
relevant U.N. resolutions and treaties.'' They also gave their ``full 
support to the Secretary General's efforts to achieve a comprehensive 
settlement to the Cyprus problem.
  Despite the hardships and trauma caused by the ongoing Turkish 
occupation, Cyprus has registered remarkable economic growth, and the 
people living in the Government-controlled areas enjoy one of the 
world's highest standards of living. Sadly, the people living in the 
occupied area continue to be mired in poverty. Today, Cyprus is one of 
the leading candidate nations to join the European Union in the next 
round of expansion, in 3 to 4 years. On June 19, 2001, a concurrent 
resolution (H. Con. Res. 164) was introduced, ``expressing the sense of 
Congress that security, reconciliation, and prosperity for all Cypriots 
can be best achieved within the context of membership in the European 
Union that will provide significant rights and obligations for all 
Cypriots.'' The measure has 60 co-sponsors.
  On September 15, 2001, U.S. State Department Special Coordinator for 
Cyprus Thomas Weston reiterated Washington's ``unwavering support'' for 
U.N. efforts to find a negotiated settlement in Cyprus and said that 
the Republic's European Union accession process offers ``an incentive'' 
towards achieving this objective. He also said that Turkey, through its 
engagement with the EU for membership, can and should contribute 
towards a Cyprus solution. ``U.S. policy is very clear on Cyprus'' EU 
accession: we support Cyprus' accession and we believe the accession 
process offers an incentive and it is helpful to achieve a settlement 
in Cyprus,'' Mr. Weston said, noting that Washington continues to back 
the EU Helsinki conclusions which say a political settlement in Cyprus 
would facilitate accession but it is not a precondition for EU 
membership. He added, ``we believe that Turkey, through its political 
dialogue with the EU and the national program it has put forward, can 
and should contribute towards a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus 
question.''
  The relationship between Cyprus and the United States is strong and 
enduring. The people of Cyprus stand with the American people at this 
time of tragedy in the United States, and share in the firm resolve to 
uphold the ideals of freedom, justice and democracy threatened by the 
evil hand of terrorism. For our part, on this important day, we 
continue to stand with the people of Cyprus in the continuing wish for 
a bizonal, bicommunal and federal Cyprus, created on the basis of the 
United Nations Security Council resolutions.

                          ____________________