[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 120 (Tuesday, July 22, 2008)]
[House]
[Page H6802]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        THE 34TH COMMEMORATION OF THE TURKISH INVASION OF CYPRUS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Space) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. SPACE. Mr. Speaker, 34 years ago, on July 20, 1974, Turkish 
troops illegally invaded Cyprus in violation of international law. 
Thirty-four years have passed since 200,000 Greek Cypriots were 
expelled from their homes and 5,000 Greek Cypriots were murdered. More 
than 1,400 still remain missing today. Thirty-four years later, Turkish 
troops continue to occupy nearly 37 percent of Cypriot territory. There 
are approximately 43,000 Turkish troops on Cyprus. That's about one 
Turkish soldier for every two Turkish Cypriots.
  The situation remains untenable after 34 years with Greek Cypriots 
whose homes were taken--the homes where they were raised, where their 
children were raised, where their parents and grandparents were raised, 
and where they were never compensated for these homes.
  The desecration of the Greek Orthodox churches remains ongoing, many 
now serving as bars, nightclubs, casinos or hotels. Icons, artifacts 
and frescoes have been destroyed, looted, vandalized, and sold 
illegally. Here we are 34 years later, and the situation remains, once 
again, untenable.
  In spite of all of this, the Greek Cypriots have continued to promote 
peace for 34 years. The Cypriot President is committed to working 
toward a bicommunal and bizonal federation with a single sovereignty 
citizenship and international standing.
  Indeed, Turkish Cypriots have shown a like commitment. Turkey, 
however, must show a commitment to this same solution. At a time of 
increased global destabilization, it is in the best interest of the 
international community to see that this problem of Cyprus, the 
injustice in Cyprus, is rectified.
  A resolution of this ongoing injustice would, indeed, constitute a 
reflection of respect for human rights, of the rule of law, of peace 
and prosperity, of all of these things, which are values that we in 
this country cherish.

                              {time}  2015

  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to recognize the importance of this 
injustice and the need to rectify the same, and I urge the Turkish 
people to do the same. It is my hope that the need to recognize the 
anniversary of the invasion, which we do yet again for the 34th time, 
is someday replaced with a cause to recognize the agreement and 
reunification of Cyprus.

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