[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 124 (Thursday, September 29, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1998]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       ANNIVERSARY OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 29, 2005

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 45th Anniversary 
of the Republic of Cyprus. It was on October 1, 1960, that Cyprus 
became an independent republic after decades of British colonial rule.
  I am very fortunate and privileged to represent Astoria, Queens--one 
of the largest and most vibrant communities of Greek and Cypriot 
Americans in this country. Among my greatest pleasures as a Member of 
Congress are participating in the life of this community and the 
wonderful and vital Cypriot friends that I have come to know.
  As a full-fledged member of the European Union, Cyprus is playing a 
vital role in European affairs while also strengthening relations with 
the United States. On July 25, the United States and the Republic of 
Cyprus signed a reciprocal Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Ship 
Boarding Agreement, which is aimed at preventing the proliferation of 
weapons of mass destruction. Cyprus was the first EU member to sign 
this agreement. Earlier this month Cyprus became a signatory to the 
International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear 
Terrorism. Finally, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Cyprus offered 
both its condolences and assistance to the victims of this horrible 
disaster.
  I am saddened that the commemoration of Cyprus' Independence Day this 
year, as in the past, is clouded by the fact that Cyprus continues to 
be illegally occupied by the Turkish military forces, in violation of 
U.N. Security Council resolutions. On July 20, 1974, Turkey invaded 
Cyprus, and to this day continues to maintain an estimated 35,000 
heavily armed troops. However, I remain hopeful that an end to this 
division will be achieved.
  Cyprus and the United States have a great deal in common. We share a 
deep and abiding commitment to democracy, human rights, free markets, 
and the ideal and practice of equal justice under the law. Despite the 
hardships and trauma caused by the ongoing Turkish occupation, Cyprus 
has registered remarkable economic growth, and the people living in the 
Government-controlled areas enjoy one of the world's highest standards 
of living. Sadly, the people living in the occupied area continue to be 
mired in poverty.
  I am encouraged that since the Turkish occupation regime partially 
lifted restrictions on freedom of movement across the artificial line 
of division created by Turkey's military occupation, hundreds of 
thousands of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots have crossed the U.N. 
ceasefire line to visit their homes and properties or areas of their 
own country that were inaccessible to them for nearly 30 years. The 
peaceful and cooperative spirit in the person-to-person, family-to-
family interactions between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots bodes 
well for the successful reunification of Cyprus.
  In the times we are facing, it is clear that divisions among people 
create harmful, destructive environments. We must find a peaceful 
solution to the Cyprus problem. The relationship between Cyprus and the 
United States is strong and enduring, and we stand together celebrating 
democracy and freedom.

                          ____________________