[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 153 (Wednesday, October 10, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2120]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF AGREEMENT RELATING TO 
                        REUNIFICATION OF CYPRUS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. ZACHARY T. SPACE

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 9, 2007

  Mr. SPACE. Mr. Speaker, I wish to make known my support for H. Res. 
405, a bill expressing the sense of Congress in support of the 
immediate implementation of the July 8, 2006 agreement as the way 
forward to prepare for new comprehensive negotiations leading to the 
reunification of Cyprus within a bizonal, bicommunal federation as set 
out in the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.
  On July 20, 1974, Turkey illegally invaded the island of Cyprus. 
Thirty-three years later, we remember this black day as we continue 
hammering out a suitable way forward. This is absolutely necessary as 
the people of Cyprus have suffered unjustly for far too long.
  Thirty-three years ago, Turkish troops invaded Cyprus in flagrant 
disregard for international law. As a result, an estimated 160,000 true 
Cypriots were displaced and another 5,000 Cypriots were killed. The 
current occupied area is notably one of the most highly militarized 
areas in the world with 43,000 Turkish troops stationed there 
illegally. In an act of further defiance, in 1983, Turkish Cypriots 
declared themselves a sovereign nation. To date, they are the only ones 
who recognize themselves as such.
  Together with both the E.U., and the U.N., the United States has been 
a strong ally of the Republic of Cyprus, and we owe it to her to 
continue our steadfast support. As a Congress, we must uphold our 
Nation's pledge to advance the July 8th agreement that President 
Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat reached a year 
ago. This agreement would begin the process of setting up bicommunal 
committees and working groups to address day-to-day issues facing those 
caught up in this conflict.
  I am a cosponsor of H. Res. 405 because of the history I've outlined 
here. The July 8th agreement is the way forward for an island that has 
suffered far too long.
  As a Greek American and as a member of the Hellenic Caucus, I could 
not feel more strongly about the reunification of Cyprus. The issue is 
straightforward and clear: we must aid our ally, the Republic of 
Cyprus, in righting the wrongs of the past 33 years. Passing H. Res. 
405 is a step in the right direction.