[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 137 (Wednesday, October 1, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1946]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




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

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH CROWLEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 1, 2003

  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, today marks the forty-third anniversary of 
the independence of the Republic of Cyprus, after 80 years of British 
colonial rule. Independence is particularly significant for the Cypriot 
people because of their ancient and extensive history of conquerors, 
empire builders, and invaders. Throughout history Cyprus has endured 
oppression and occupation by preserving its unique identity and 
culture. While this is a day of celebration for the progress and 
successes that the Republic of Cyprus has achieved, it is also a solemn 
reminder of the Turkish occupation under which 37 percent of the island 
struggles.
  Since Turkish troops invaded in 1974, Turkey has expelled 200,000 
Greek Cypriots, moved 80,000 settlers from the Turkish mainland into 
Greek Cypriot homes in an attempt to change the demographics of the 
area and restricted the rights of the few Greek Cypriots who remain in 
the north. The United Nations Security Council and the European Union 
have condemned these actions by the Turkish government as explicit 
violations of international law.
  After 29 years of illegal occupation, the Turkish-Cypriot leadership 
under Rauf Denktash has proven itself unwilling to resolve this 
situation. Tens of thousands of Turkish Cypriots have demonstrated in 
the occupied areas of the north, urging Mr. Denktash to support the 
U.N. peace process. But Mr. Denktash has not only rejected the plan, he 
has refused to allow his constituency to voice their opinion through a 
referendum. Due to this intransigent policy, the opportunity has been 
lost for all Cypriots--both Turkish and Greek. However, throughout this 
long path towards peace, the people of Cyprus have held on to their 
independence and taken huge strides in building a prosperous and 
flourishing nation.
  Today--after 43 years of independence--Cyprus continues to grow 
economically, develop democratically and foster regional stability as 
it takes momentous steps toward joining the European Union. On April 
16, 2003, along with nine other countries, Cyprus signed the Accession 
Treaty to the European Union with the intention of officially becoming 
a member-state of the EU in May 2004. The Accession of Cyprus will 
proceed whether it is as an island with a partition or as an island 
newly reunified.
  The positive impact of the forthcoming EU accession will bring great 
benefits to all Cypriots both Greek and Turkish. It will bring foreign 
investment; access to markets and jobs throughout Europe, and 
additional development assistance to the areas of northern Cyprus. 
Having looked out across the Green line during my last visit to Cyprus, 
I strongly believe that 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.
  Globally--the United States, the EU and the international community 
and locally--the government of the Cypriot Republic, and the people of 
Cyprus, both Greek and Turkish, are committed to finding a peaceful 
settlement in the near future--it is time to work in good faith to make 
it a reality.
  Despite the ongoing conflict and the obstructionist stance of the 
Turkish-Cypriot leadership, the Government of Cyprus has continued to 
also strengthen its close partnership with 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 U.S. 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 House Committee on International Relations, 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 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 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 prevent 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.
  My district includes a large Cypriot-American community in Queens and 
I have listened to their needs and concerns regarding their homes and 
families in Cyprus many times. On this day of independence and 
celebration for Cyprus, I believe that it is important that both the 
United States and the Republic of Cyprus renew the commitment towards 
strengthening relations and working towards a peaceful and durable 
settlement for this divided island. 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 continue to prosper 
and develop as an active member of the international community.
  Until that time comes, I congratulate the people of Cyprus on the 43d 
anniversary of their independence.

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