[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 103 (Thursday, July 22, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1504-E1505]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PATRICK J. KENNEDY

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 22, 2004

  Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the 
commitment of the Republic of Cyprus to democracy, human rights, free 
markets, and equal justice under law.
  Regrettably, this July 20th marked the thirtieth anniversary of the 
invasion of Cyprus by Turkish military forces. This illegal military 
occupation of more than one-third of Cyprus' territory is a violation 
of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions.
  To this day, Turkey maintains a force of 30,000 heavily armed troops 
in Cyprus. 1,500 Greek Cypriots and 4 Americans of Cypriot descent 
remain missing since 1974, when the Turkish military forces commenced a 
policy of ethnic cleansing, forcibly evicting 200,000 Greek Cypriots 
from their homes.
  In 1983, displaying blatant disregard for international law and the 
sovereign independence of the Republic of Cyprus, Turkey encouraged the 
secession and declaration of independence of the occupied areas.
  The ``Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus'' has been recognized by no 
nation except for Turkey, and the U.N. General Assembly has made 
numerous calls for the immediate withdrawal of all foreign military 
forces from Cyprus.
  Cyprus' accession to the European Union in May of 2004 has given 
Cypriots new resolve to overcome the division of their nation and 
citizens. It will be a difficult path towards a united Cyprus that is 
founded on respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. But it is 
a path paved with the hope of a determined people.
  Currently, the Republic of Cyprus is seeking a bizonal and bicommunal 
federation, reunifying society and economy, while granting each 
community the right to retain its own identity and culture, without 
military occupation.
  Although a reunification plan was set forth by the United Nations, in 
April of this year 76 percent of Greek Cypriot voters stood in 
opposition to the plan due to issues of vital concern, such as 
security, property restitution,

[[Page E1505]]

and dissatisfaction with the structure of the proposed central 
government.
  Despite the rejection of the plan, 90 percent of the Greek Cypriot 
community turned out to vote on the UN plan, displaying a deep interest 
and concern in the future of the reunification of their nation and the 
changes this would bring.
  We must learn from the message sent by those who could not support 
the proposed Plan. The lesson is Cyprus' reunification is too important 
an issue to rush into a Plan that does not address the serious concerns 
of all Cypriots.

                          ____________________