[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 131 (Tuesday, October 8, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1794]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 FORTY-SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH CROWLEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 8, 2002

  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, October 1, 2002, marked the 42nd 
anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Cyprus. The 
anniversary of Cyprus' independence is a day of mixed emotions. While 
Cypriots celebrate the lifting of 80 years of British colonial rule, 37 
percent of the island's territory remains under occupation. Since 
Turkish troops invaded in 1974, seizing 37 percent of the island, 
Turkey has expelled 200,000 Greek Cypriots, moved 80,000 settlers from 
the Turkish mainland into their homes in an attempt to change the 
demographics of the area and restricted the rights of the few Greek 
Cypriots who remained in the north. Turkey's actions have been 
condemned by the United Nations Security Council and the European 
Commission of Human Rights as flagrant violations of international law.
  Delays in negotiating a settlement only prolongs the suffering of the 
thousands of Cypriots on both sides who have lost their homes and are 
separated from their communities. The conflict has wasted political, 
economic, and military resources that could have gone toward economic 
and commercial development and increased the standard of living of 
inhabitants of both peoples.
  Yet despite the division of the territory, the internationally-
recognized government in Cyprus has made extraordinary strides toward 
political and economic development. And while the Turkish Cypriot 
leadership stalls and avoids serious negotiations, the Government of 
Cyprus stands to benefit greatly from membership in the European Union. 
Cyprus is one of only two countries that have applied for European 
Union membership that met all of the EU's membership criteria--all 80 
thousand pages of rules and regulations. Cyprus's admission to the EU 
would be a boon to the island's economy, and it would add greatly to 
stability in the region. Neither Turkey nor the Turkish Cypriot 
leadership should be permitted to derail this process through political 
or economic blackmail.
  The European Union has asserted that Cyprus's accession to the EU, 
expected in 2004, will proceed whether or not a settlement is reached 
on the island's division. Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash should 
recognize that Turkish Cypriots would benefit greatly from a 
combination of national unification and EU accession, which would bring 
foreign investment, access to markets and jobs throughout Europe, and 
additional development assistance to northern Cyprus. The unification 
of Cyprus into a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation--as called for by 
United Nations Security Council resolutions--is the only solution that 
can guarantee economic development and equal political representation 
for all inhabitants of the island.
  The Government of Cyprus has long been a close partner of the United 
States, and it has proven the strength of these ties by providing its 
support in our fight against global terrorism.
  Immediately after the September 11 terrorist attacks, Cyprus was 
among the first nations to express its solidarity with the United 
States. Cyprus has granted blanket clearance for U.S. military aircraft 
to fly over Cyprus and to use its airports, and is sharing intelligence 
with and providing legal assistance to various U.S. agencies.
  Cyprus has also introduced tough new criminal laws and regulations to 
deter and punish terrorists and their supporters, taken measures to 
freeze the assets of terrorists and increased security measures at 
seaports and airports and at the U.S. Embassy in the capital of 
Nicosia.
  Cyprus has also endorsed and implemented U.N. Security Council 
Resolution 1373 (2001) to freeze the assets of terrorists and their 
supporters; implemented all other relevant resolutions and decisions of 
the U.N. Security Council, the EU and other international 
organizations; and ratified the International Convention for the 
Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism.
  And most recently, on September 18, the United States and Cyprus 
signed a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty that will promote closer 
coordination between the two countries in the fight against global 
terrorism, organized crime, drug-trafficking and related violent 
crimes.
  As an active member of both the Congressional Hellenic Issues Caucus 
and the Europe Subcommittee of the House International Relations 
Committee, I have supported a number of legislative initiatives to 
resolve the Cyprus dispute and promote the accession of the government 
of Cyprus to the European Union.
  I joined my congressional colleagues in writing to President Bush to 
urge that the United States help move the U.N.-led proximity talks 
toward resolution of the conflict.
  I strongly support the accession of Cyprus to the European Union, 
whether or not a solution to the island's division has been reached 
beforehand. I have cosponsored legislation calling on the U.S. 
Government to support EU accession, and I have written to President 
Bush too on this matter as well.
  I have co-sponsored legislation introduced in the House to end 
restrictions on the freedoms and human rights of the Greek Cypriot 
enclaves in northern Cyprus. I personally tried to visit the enclaves 
during a recent trip to Cyprus so I could see for myself the condition 
of the Greek Cypriots living there, but I was prevented from doing so 
by the Turkish Cypriot leadership.
  I support the Administration's allocation of $15 million each year to 
promote measures aimed at reunification of the island and designed to 
reduce tensions and promote peace and cooperation between the two 
communities in Cyprus.
  I believe it is critical that the Turkish Cypriot side provide 
information on the five American citizens of Greek Cypriot descent who 
have been missing since 1974. As a purely humanitarian matter, the 
Turkish side must make progress on this issue.
  As our global village becomes increasingly interdependent, societies 
around the world are adopting democracy, free trade, and respect for 
human rights. The Government of Cyprus has embraced these concepts, 
becoming a responsible actor on the international stage, and its people 
have benefited greatly from its leadership. I sincerely hope that the 
Turkish Cypriot leadership decides to make the compromises necessary to 
end the division of Cyprus so that the entire island can enjoy the 
fruits of globalization.
  Until that time comes, I congratulate the people of Cyprus on the 
42nd anniversary of their independence.

                          ____________________