[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 97 (Friday, July 21, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1486-E1487]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     THE 32ND ANNIVERSARY OF THE ILLEGAL TURKISH INVASION OF CYPRUS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 20, 2006

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 32nd 
anniversary of the 1974 illegal Turkish invasion of Cyprus.
  I have commemorated this day each year since I became a Member of 
Congress.
  PSEKA, the International Coordinating Committee ``Justice for 
Cyprus'', the Cyprus Federation of America, SAE, World Council of 
Hellenes Abroad, and the Federation of Hellenic Societies are primarily 
located in the 14th Congressional district of New York, which I am 
fortunate to represent.
  These organizations have been strong advocates against the division 
of Cyprus and the human rights violations perpetrated by the Turkish 
army in Cyprus.
  The United States must continue to play an active role in the 
resolution of the serious issues facing Cyprus. First and foremost is 
the ongoing illegal occupation by the Turkish military forces of the 
northern part of the island in violation of U.N. Security Council 
resolutions. The peaceful and cooperative spirit in the person-to-
person, family-to-family interactions between Greek Cypriots and 
Turkish Cypriots is an encouraging sign for the successful 
reunification of Cyprus. However, it is time for Turkey to remove its 
troops from the island so that Cyprus can move forward as one nation.
  Turkey must also show respect for the rights of the owners to their 
property in the north. I have introduced legislation, H. Res. 322, 
which expresses the sense of the House of Representatives in support of 
the European Court of Human Rights for its decisions in the Loizidou 
and Xenides-Arestis cases against Turkey. Turkey must respect these 
decisions while ending the illegal exploitation of Greek Cypriot 
properties in the areas of Cyprus under Turkish military occupation.
  Earlier this month, Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish 
Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat agreed to begin a process of bi-
communal discussions to find a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus 
problem. Based on President Papadopoulos' initiative, the two leaders 
agreed to a set of principles including a commitment to the unification 
of Cyprus based on a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation and political 
equality, as set out in the relevant Security Council resolutions; 
recognition that the status quo is unacceptable and that its 
prolongation would have negative consequences for the Turkish and Greek 
Cypriots; and agreement to begin a process immediately involving bi-
communal discussion of issues that affect the day to day life of the 
people and concurrently those that concern substantive issues, both of 
which will contribute to a comprehensive settlement. I welcome these 
developments.
  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. Last July, 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

[[Page E1487]]

mass destruction. Cyprus was the first EU member to sign this 
agreement. In the fall Cyprus became a signatory to the International 
Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism. Finally, 
as citizens from many nations including the United States evacuate from 
Lebanon, Cyprus is providing critical support in helping these 
individuals reach safety.
  A unified Cyprus would promote stability, both politically and 
economically, to the entire Mediterranean region. The people of Cyprus 
deserve a unified and democratic country, and I remain hopeful that a 
peaceful settlement will be found so that the division of Cyprus will 
come to an end.
  In recognition of the spirit of the people of Cyprus, I ask my 
colleagues to join me in solemnly commemorating the 32nd anniversary of 
the invasion of Cyprus.
  Long live freedom.
  Long live Cyprus.
  Long live Greece.

                          ____________________