[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 163 (Thursday, October 25, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2251-E2252]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE VISIT OF MAYOR OF FAMAGUSTA, CYPRUS, MR. ALEXIS GALANOS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GUS M. BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 25, 2007

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to welcome Mr. Alexis 
Galanos, the elected Mayor of Famagusta, Republic of Cyprus to 
Washington, DC. Mayor Galanos is the only democratically elected and 
exiled mayor of a population that is primarily constituted of refugees. 
He was elected Mayor of Famagusta in December of 2006 and has since 
worked tirelessly to raise humanitarian awareness about Famagusta and 
its exiled people.
  He is here championing the global campaign undertaken by the Citizens 
of Famagusta for the return of their city in the occupied area of 
Cyprus which has been a ``ghost town'' since the 1974 illegal invasion 
by Turkey.
  Famagusta was the main town of the second largest district of Cyprus 
both in terms of its population and surface area. The cultivation and 
production of the potato crop, the rich and fertile mainland, the port, 
tourist and industrial sectors, were the most significant contributors 
to the city's economic dynamism prior to the 1974.
  The development of the tourist industry in the late 1960s and early 
1970's had very beneficial effects for the construction industry and 
moreover, supplied many jobs to the local population, in particular 
with respect to services related to tourism. A great number of people 
came to Famagusta on a daily basis, primarily for work. This greatly 
enhanced the economy of the city and assured a steady rise in its 
living standards.
  Famagusta was the island's most cosmopolitan destination. The 
construction of a

[[Page E2252]]

modern harbor for Famagusta in 1932 was an important factor in the 
promotion and development of the city and contributed to a surge in its 
economic activity. The expansion and deepening of the harbor, completed 
in 1965 solidified Famagusta's position that became dominant in terms 
of the flow of merchandise coming in and out of the island.
  On July 20, 1974, Turkey unlawfully invaded Cyprus, and a few weeks 
later, on August 14, Turkish military forces in the second phase of the 
invasion moved further south and bombarded Famagusta relentlessly. 
Greek Cypriots were forced to flee their homes in fear and terror, 
never to return again. Turkish forces sealed off the city with barbed 
wire fences.
  45,000 inhabitants of Famagusta became refugees in their own country. 
They lost their land, their properties, their homes and businesses and 
many of their own people.
  Since the Turkish invasion, religious symbols, churches, monasteries, 
and cultural heritage of Cyprus have been subject to destruction, 
looting and vandalism, stolen, and illegally excavated and sold on the 
black market.
  More than 500 Greek Orthodox churches and chapels, 17 monasteries in 
the occupied area in the north have been pillaged, destroyed, turned 
into casinos and stables. The ecclesiastical items for these sites--
including more than 15,000 portable icons--remain unaccounted for.
  Since 2003, with the partial lifting of movement restrictions by the 
occupation regime, Greek Cypriot displaced persons could visit their 
homes and properties, but are stilt denied the right to return and live 
where they were born and raised.
  A large proportion of the properties from which the Greek Cypriot 
owners were expelled, was unlawfully distributed to and is currently 
being used by the tens of thousands of illegal settlers from Turkey.
  Unprecedented illegal construction is taking place on land which 
belongs to Greek Cypriots forced to abandon their homes during the 
invasion by Turkey.
  The U.N. General Assembly, the U.N. Security Council and the U.N. 
Commission of Human Rights, as well as the European Parliament, the 
Council of Europe, and several other international organizations have 
repeatedly demanded the urgent return of the refugees to their homes in 
safety. In particular, since 1974, more than 75 resolutions have been 
adopted by the U.N. Security Council and more than 13 by the U.N. 
General Assembly, calling inter alia for the return of the refugees to 
their homes and properties. Furthermore, in regards to Famagusta/
Varosha area, OP 5 of the the U.N. Security Council resolution 550/
1984, inter alia states, that it ``considers attempts to settle any 
part of Varosha by people other than its inhabitants as inadmissible 
and calls for the transfer of this area to the administration of the 
United Nations''.
  These resolutions are being ignored by Turkey, which has refused to 
comply, and flagrantly continues to violate the basic human rights and 
fundamental freedoms of the Greek Cypriots, including the freedom of 
movement and ownership.
  The European Court of Human Rights found Turkey guilty of violating 
relevant articles of the European Convention on Human Rights and 
Fundamental Freedoms for refusing to allow the return of any Greek 
Cypriot refugees to their homes and denying them access to and use of 
their property.
  In the 1979 High Level Agreement between the then President of the 
Republic of Cyprus Mr. Kyprianou and the then Turkish Cypriot leader 
Mr. Denktash, it was agreed that ``priority will be given to reaching 
agreement to the resettlement of Varosha under U.N. auspices 
simultaneously with the beginning of the consideration by the 
interlocutors of the constitutional and territorial aspects of a 
comprehensive settlement. After agreement on Varosha has been reached 
it will be implemented without awaiting the outcome of the discussion 
on other aspects of the Cyprus problem''. Unfortunately, Turkey has not 
adhered to this agreement in any discussions regarding the return of 
the refugees.
  Expatriated and uprooted Famagustians worked very hard, both in 
Cyprus and abroad to make a living, they had to start from scratch.
  The people of Famagusta, like all other Greek Cypriot refugees, have 
a burning desire and right to return to their homes.
  I commend Mayor Galanos for the extraordinary outreach he has engaged 
in to bridge the gap between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot divide and 
work towards a reunified Cyprus and a thriving and bustling Famagusta.

                          ____________________