[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 125 (Friday, September 29, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1942]
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

                       Friday, September 29, 2006

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 46th 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. Last year, 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.
  Unfortunately, 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. 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. I 
remain hopeful that an end to this division will be achieved.
  I believe that the United States must play an active role in the 
resolution of the serious issues facing Cyprus. Cyprus and the United 
States 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.
  I also want to commend Cyprus for its critical support in helping 
citizens from many nations including the United States as they 
evacuated from Lebanon earlier this year.
  The relationship between Cyprus and the United States is strong and 
enduring, and we stand together celebrating democracy and freedom.

                          ____________________