[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 112 (Friday, July 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1603]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1603]]
             ANNIVERSARY OF THE TURKISH INVASION OF CYPRUS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. STEVEN R. ROTHMAN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 24, 2003

  Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of the 29th 
Anniversary of the Turkish Invasion of Cyprus and to commemorate this 
tragedy for the Greek Cypriot people.
  On the 29th Anniversary of the Turkish Invasion of Cyprus, we 
solemnly remember the victims of the invasion. The invasion claimed 
5,000 Cypriot lives, displaced 200,000 Greek Cypriots from their homes, 
and has created one of the most militarized areas in the world, with 
40,000 Turkish troops continuing to occupy the island. The invasion 
also created hatred between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots that 
poisoned the way they thought of each other for years.
  While we mourn the tragic losses of the past 29 years, we are also 
able to celebrate the future of a Cyprus integrated into the European 
Union. This is an historic year for Cyprus, and I would like to commend 
Cyprus and the Greek Cypriot people for their commitment and 
determination in reaching a settlement on the reunification of the 
island and especially membership in the European Union. On April 16, 
2003, Cyprus signed the Accession Treaty to the European Union and will 
now have a host of new opportunities open to its people. Just this 
week, the Wall Street Journal ran an article describing the emotional 
meetings of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots going back to their 
former villages, and their realization that the hatred melted away once 
they met and spoke with people on the other side. If this is truly the 
case, then there is hope for a peaceful future.
  Nevertheless, it is the obligation of the U.S. Congress to condemn 
the violence that separated the island nation of Cyprus, and to 
encourage Turkish Cypriot leaders as needed to negotiate in good faith 
with their Greek Cypriot counterparts to settle this dispute. The 
reunification of the island nation is a priority for this Congress and 
the international community. On this anniversary of the Turkish 
invasion of Cyprus, we mourn the deaths of those killed in the invasion 
and the lost opportunities over the years, and we look forward to a 
future of a reunited Cyprus in the European Union.

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