[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 120 (Tuesday, July 22, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1518]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


    RECOGNIZING THE 34TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INVASION OF CYPRUS AND 
  COMMENDING EFFORTS TO REACH A NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT LEADING TO THE 
                        REUNIFICATION OF CYPRUS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELTON GALLEGLY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 22, 2008

  Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, this past weekend marked the 34th 
anniversary of the invasion of Cyprus by Turkish forces. During the 
war, approximately 5,000 Cypriots were killed and close to 200,000 
Greek Cypriots were forcibly removed from their homes. This anniversary 
also marks another year in which Cyprus is divided between north and 
south and between the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot communities.
  However, despite 34 years of division in Cyprus, I am more optimistic 
today about reaching a just and lasting settlement than I have been in 
many years. In February of this year, the Greek Cypriots elected a new 
president, Demetrius Christofias. Immediately following his election, 
President Christofias followed through on his commitment to make the 
solution of the Cyprus problem his top priority.
  President Christofias found a willing partner in Turkish Cypriot 
leader Mehmet Talat. The leaders of the two main Cypriot communities 
met on March 21 for the purpose of trying to implement the provisions 
of the U.N.-brokered July 8, 2006 agreement. This agreement, which sets 
forth a framework for negotiations with the objective of trying to 
achieve the unification of Cyprus based on a bizonal, bi-communal 
federation and political equality, as set out in the relevant United 
Nations Security Council resolutions. The March 21 meeting also 
established a number of Working Groups and Technical Committees, as 
described in the July 8 agreement, in order to prepare the ground for 
full-fledged negotiations leading to a comprehensive and durable 
settlement.
  The two leaders have already met on three occasions and will meet 
again on July 25 when they will review the progress of the Working 
Groups and Technical Committees. It is my hope that both leaders can 
agree to move forward and begin full-fledged negotiations.
  The House of Representatives has already voiced its strong support 
for comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue. On October 9, 2007, 
the House on a voice vote passed House Resolution 405, which expressed 
its support for 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 bi-zonal, 
bi-communal federation. In addition, the resolution called upon the 
United States Government to fully support the immediate implementation 
this agreement in its entirety.
  I believe the time is right for a permanent settlement in Cyprus. We 
have two leaders--President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot Leader 
Talat--who are ready and willing to reach an agreement. I also believe 
that the people of Cyprus, whether Greek Cypriot, Turkish Cypriot or 
members of the other ethnic groups on the island, recognize that a 
settlement leading to a reunified Cyprus will help lead the way to a 
future of peace and prosperity.

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