[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 98 (Thursday, July 18, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H4920-H4921]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TURKISH INVASION OF CYPRUS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor and 
privilege to commemorate the 28th anniversary of the 1974 illegal 
Turkish invasion of Cyprus. I have commemorated this day since I came 
to Congress; and unfortunately, each year the occupation continues.
  PSEKA, the International Coordinating Committee Justice for Cyprus; 
the Cyprus Federation of America, an umbrella organization representing 
the Cypriot American community in the United States; SAE, the World 
Council of Hellenes Abroad; and the Federation of Hellenic Societies, 
are all primarily located in the 14th Congressional District, which I 
am fortunate to represent.
  These individuals refuse to believe that peace will not come to 
Cyprus and have chosen to commemorate this event in very special ways.
  On Saturday, July 20, and Sunday, July 21, in the spirit of 
remembrance and commemoration, a concert will be held on July 20 at the 
Summer Stage in Central Park, New York, with the participation of two 
artists from Greece, Dionyssios Savopoulos and Alkinoos Ioannides.
  These remarkable performers have been strong advocates against the 
division of Cyprus and the human rights violations by the Turkish Army 
in Cyprus.
  On July 21, memorial services will be held for the victims of the 
Turkish invasion and occupation of Cyprus at the Cathedral of Holy 
Trinity in Manhattan. His Eminence, Archbishop Demetrios, Primate of 
the Greek Orthodox Church in America, will officiate.
  The fundamental fact is that the continued presence of Turkish troops 
represents a gross violation of human rights and international law. 
Since they invaded Cyprus in July, 1974, Turkish troops have continued 
to occupy 37 percent of Cyprus. This is in direct defiance of numerous 
United Nations resolutions and has been a major source of instability 
in the eastern Mediterranean.
  The new peace initiatives embarked upon by Cyprus, Greece and Turkey 
continue to say there is hope. I support President Bush, like his 
predecessor, President Clinton, in saying that true human rights are 
the goal of the United States Government. A unified Cyprus would 
promote a stable Mediterranean, economic stability and justice with a 
comprehensive and fair settlement. Now is the time for a solution.
  More than 20 years ago, the leaders of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot 
communities reached two high-level agreements which provided for the 
establishment of a bicommunal, bizonal federation. Even though these 
agreements were endorsed by the U.N. Security Council, there has been 
no action on the Turkish side to fill in the details or to reach a 
final agreement.

[[Page H4921]]

  Instead, for the past 28 years, there has been a Turkish Cypriot 
leader presiding over a regime recognized only by Turkey and condemned 
as legally invalid by the U.N. Security Council. Cyprus has been 
divided by the Green Line, a 113-mile barbed wire fence that runs 
across the island. Greek-Cypriots are prohibited from visiting the 
towns and communities where their families have lived for generations.
  With 35,000 Turkish troops illegally stationed on the island, it is 
one of the most militarized areas in the world. This situation has also 
meant the financial decline of the once-rich northern part of Cyprus to 
just one-quarter of its former earnings.
  Perhaps the single most destructive element of Turkey's fiscal and 
foreign policy is its nearly 28-year occupation of Cyprus. We now have 
an atmosphere where there is no valid excuse for not resolving this 
long-standing problem. Cyprus is set for entrance into the European 
Union in 2004, and I am hopeful that this reality will act as a 
catalyst for a lasting solution of the Cyprus challenge. EU membership 
for Cyprus will clearly provide important economic, political, and 
social benefits for all Cypriots, both Greek and Turkish alike.
  This is why both sides must continue to negotiate. There is also a 
new climate of cooperation between Turkey and Greece with many positive 
signs. More has been achieved in the past 2 years than in many years 
before.

                              {time}  1830

  While the U.S., the EU, Greece and Cyprus have all acted to 
accommodate Turkish concerns, it is time for Turkey to complete the 
peace process in good faith. Make no mistake about it, if Turkey wants 
the Cyprus problem resolved, it will happen. Now is the time for a 
solution to the Cyprus problem. It will take diligent work by both 
sides, but with U.S. support and leadership, I am hopeful that we will 
reach a peaceful and fair solution soon. Twenty-eight years is too long 
to have a country divided, it is too long to be kept from your home, 
and it is too long to be separated from your family.
  We have seen many tremendous changes around the world.
  It is time for the Cypriots to live in peace and security, with full 
enjoyment of their human rights.
  I am hopeful that their desire for freedom will one day be fulfilled.
  In recognition of the spirit of the people of Cyprus, I ask my 
colleagues to join me in honoring the Cyprus Federation of America, and 
in solemnly commemorating the twenty-eighth anniversary of the invasion 
of Cyprus.
  I hope that this anniversary will mark the advent of true freedom and 
peace for Cyprus.

                          ____________________