[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 103 (Thursday, July 22, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1516]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECALLING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TRAGIC AND INFAMOUS INVASION OF 
                                 CYPRUS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 22, 2004

  Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
recall a tragic and infamous event, the 30th anniversary of the 
invasion of Cyprus by Turkey.
  On July 20, 1974, Turkey invaded Cyprus. As part of a two stage 
offensive, Turkish troops forcefully seized approximately one-third of 
the island nation of Cyprus. This abominable act of violence against 
the people of Cyprus has never been undone. To this day, Turkish troops 
occupy Cyprus, splitting the nation into two areas.
  Since 1974, the nation has been divided, but progress is being made 
toward the reunification of Cyprus. In late April, the people of Cyprus 
went to the polls to vote on a plan of reunification. Unfortunately, 
this reunification proposal was rushed to coincide with the ascension 
of Cyprus into the European Union. Citing many issues of concern, 
including security, approximately 75 percent of Greek Cypriots opposed 
the plan.
  In the end, it was too much to ask that concerns that have been 
unresolved for 30 years be effectively settled in a process that lasted 
less than 3 months. However, one failure must not be the end of 
attempts to reunify the island. A lasting and equitable solution for 
the people of Cyprus, and the goal of a united Cyprus, is too important 
to abandon, now or ever. The goal of the process must be to attain a 
just and lasting solution, not a rushed solution. I remain committed to 
achieving a solution to this problem so that we never have to gather 
again to commemorate an anniversary of this hostile and unjustifiable 
invasion.
  The people of Cyprus have suffered from the division of their nation 
for 30 years. Mr. Speaker, I pray that this will be the last year of a 
divided Cyprus. I sincerely hope that 30 years after the nation of 
Cyprus was torn asunder, all Cypriots can be reunited, living in peace 
and freedom forever.

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