[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 41 (Thursday, March 13, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E470]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                 CYPRUS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 13, 2003

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I am deeply disappointed by the failure of 
the recent talks between the President of the Republic of Cyprus, 
Tassos Papadopolous and Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, which 
ended yesterday without an agreement due to the intransigence of Mr. 
Denktash.
  We have observed years of intense negotiations between the Greek and 
Turkish Cypriot communities and were hopeful that this round would end 
in success. As you know, in 1974, Turkey invaded Cyprus, and to this 
day continues to maintain an estimated 35,000 heavily armed troops in 
Cyprus. 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.
  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. The latest success is the European 
Council's invitation to Cyprus to become one of the ten new Member 
States of the European Union. Sadly, the people living in the occupied 
area continue to be mired in poverty. We had hoped that a united Cyrus 
would join EU.
  Instead, we are faced with failure. Failure because Mr. Rauf Denktash 
has denied Turkish Cypriots the opportunity to determine their own 
future and to vote in a referendum which would have likely lead to a 
solution of the Cyprus problem.
  Despite my concerns and disappointment, I appreciate the comments of 
President Papadopolus who has stated that the Greek Cypriot side will 
``continue the efforts for reaching a solution to the Cyprus question 
both before and after Cyprus joins the EU.''
  I urge the government of Turkey to take constructive steps for 
resolving the Cyprus problem. And I urge the Administration to continue 
with its efforts to persuade Turkey and the Turkish-Cypriot leader to 
work within the UN process to end the division of Cyprus.
  At a time when tensions are rising around the world, we must seize 
every opportunity to achieve peace and stability.

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