[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 112 (Friday, July 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1611]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         THE 29TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TURKISH INVASION OF CYPRUS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. HILDA L. SOLIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 24, 2003

  Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, twenty-nine years ago, on July 20, 1974, 
Turkish forces invaded the Republic of Cyprus and seized control of 
over one third of the island. As a Member of the Congressional Caucus 
on Hellenic Issues, I rise today to remember that Cyprus remains 
divided by the green line, a 113-mile barbed wire fence that runs 
across the island, and partially occupied. Such division and occupation 
is harmful to both Greek and Turkish Cypriots: and must end.
  The Turkish invasion of 1974 claimed the lives of 5,000 Cypriots, 
expelled another 200,000 from their homes and took control of 37 
percent of Cyprus's territory. Such human devastation is deeply 
saddening. I stand with the Cypriot-American community and the 
Hellenic-American community in condemning this black anniversary hope 
that a settlement to the Cyprus problem can be facilitated. I am 
pleased that the House of Representatives unanimously passed a 
resolution ``to give any assistance necessary for finding a just and 
durable settlement for the Cyprus problem,'' but we must not stop 
working on this issue until Cyprus is reunited and Greek and Turkish 
Cypriots can live peacefully together.

                          ____________________