[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 112 (Friday, July 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1625-E1626]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TWENTY-NINTH BLACK ANNIVERSARY FOR CYPRUS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 25, 2003

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor and privilege to 
commemorate the 29th anniversary of the 1974 illegal Turkish invasion 
of Cyprus.
   I have commemorated this day each year since I became a Member of 
Congress, and although the occupation has continued for almost three 
decades, there are signs that progress is being made.
  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 (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 have refused to believe 
that peace will not come to Cyprus, and they have been strong advocates 
against the division of Cyprus and the human rights violations 
perpetrated by the Turkish army in Cyprus.
  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 of 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.
  I support President Bush, like his predecessor President Clinton, in 
saying that true human rights are the goal of the U.S. Government.
   A unified Cyprus would promote stability, both politically and 
economically, to the entire Mediterranean region.

[[Page E1626]]

  Now is the time for a solution.
  More than 20 years ago, (in 1977 and 1979) the leaders of the Greek 
and Turkish Cypriot communities reached two high-level agreements which 
provided for the establishment of a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation.
  For the last 29 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 in resolution 541 
(1989) and 550 (1984).
  Cyprus has been divided by the green line--a 113-mile barbed wire 
fence that runs across the island.
  In April 2003, the Turkish occupation regime partially lifted 
restrictions on freedom across the artificial line of division created 
by Turkey's military occupation.
  Since then, hundreds of thousands of Greek Cypriots and Turkish 
Cypriots have crossed the line, to visit homes and areas of their own 
country that were inaccessible to them for nearly 30 years.
  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.

  The occupation of Cyprus is perhaps the single most destructive 
element of Turkey's fiscal and foreign policy.
  We now have an atmosphere where there is no valid excuse for not 
resolving this long-standing problem.
  Cyprus signed the Accession Treaty to the European Union on April 16, 
2003 at which time President Papadopoulos pledged that the Greek 
Cypriot community and his government will ``continue the efforts to 
reach a solution to the Cyprus question both before and after Cyprus 
joins the EU'' in May 2004.
  Of course, it would be desirable if a negotiated settlement to end 
the Turkish occupation and reunite the island were to be achieved prior 
to that date, Cyprus' EU accession will go forward regardless of a 
settlement. 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 are also signs of a new climate of cooperation between Turkey 
and Greece. More has been achieved in the past several years than in 
many before.
  The U.S., the EU, Greece and Cyprus have all acted to accommodate 
Turkish concerns, and it is time for Turkey to complete the peace 
process in good faith.
  And make no mistake about it, if Turkey wants the Cyprus problem 
resolved, it will happen.
  It will take diligent work by both sides, but with U.S. support and 
leadership, I am very hopeful that we will reach a peaceful and fair 
solution soon.
  Twenty-nine years is too long to have a country divided. It is too 
long to be kept from your home. It is too long to be separated from 
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 hope that when I speak in Congress on the same subject next year, 
that freedom and unification will have been achieved.
  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 29th anniversary of the invasion of 
Cyprus. I hope that this anniversary will mark the advent of true 
freedom and peace for Cyprus.
  Finally, I would like to say goodbye to a good friend and colleague 
Cyprus' Ambassador to the United States, Mrs. Erato Marcoullis. After 
nearly five years of service in our nation's capital, Ambassador 
Marcoullis will be leaving in August to assume a high-level post in the 
Foreign Ministry in the Cypriot capital of Nicosia. We will miss her, 
but next year I hope to join together and celebrate a unified Cyprus.
  Long Live Freedom.
  Long Live Cyprus.
  Long Live Greece.

                          ____________________