[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 121 (Wednesday, July 23, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1531-E1532]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO THE TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ED WHITFIELD

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 23, 2008

  Mr. WHITFIELD of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, the meeting of the two 
Cypriot leaders on March 21, May 23, and July 1, 2008 and the agreement 
reached by them to launch full-fledged negotiations, which will aim to 
find a comprehensive settlement to the longstanding Cyprus problem, 
have been welcomed by the international community, including the United 
States, the European Union,

[[Page E1532]]

and others. The meetings raised hopes among the international community 
that a mutually acceptable settlement would now be more seriously 
sought by the Greek Cypriot side, whose policy over the years had been 
to delay the start of full-fledged negotiations.
  On July 20th, the Turkish Cypriots commemorate the 34th anniversary 
of the Turkish peace operation, which prevented the attempt by the 
Greek Cypriots to annex the island to Greece. Although peace prevails 
in Cyprus today, the social, economic, and political development of the 
Turkish Cypriots have been restricted for more than 3 decades.
  In order to promote the spirit of goodwill generated during the 
recent meetings, it is my sincere hope that this positive stance 
demonstrated by the two Cypriot leaders will be supported by the United 
States government. The Turkish Cypriots have demonstrated their 
willingness to work collaboratively, by voting in favor of the Annan 
Plan, which presumed great sacrifices for the Turkish Cypriots, because 
nearly a quarter of their territory would have been ceded to the Greek 
Cypriot side, and almost a quarter of the Turkish Cypriot population 
would have been dislocated, some for the second, third, and even fourth 
time.
  Despite the potential impact of the Annan Plan, 65 percent of Turkish 
Cypriots voted in favor of the historic referenda of April 24, 2004, 
while 76 percent of Greek Cypriots voted against it. The Turkish 
Cypriot people, in their continued commitment to achieve a just and 
lasting settlement that respects the political equality of these two 
groups on the island are still waiting for the international community 
to honor the promises it made to them.
  Madam Speaker, I want to recognize the unwavering commitment of the 
Turkish Cypriot people to reunify the island, and I encourage the 
United States government to lend its support to lifting of the 
isolation that presently exists.

                          ____________________