[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 121 (Wednesday, July 23, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1533-E1534]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        THE 34TH COMMEMORATION OF THE TURKISH INVASION OF CYPRUS

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                          HON. JOE KNOLLENBERG

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 23, 2008

  Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Madam Speaker, today marks the 34th anniversary of 
the Turkish invasion of Cyprus and I want to remind all of my 
colleagues of the ongoing Turkish occupation.
  We cannot let the passage of time diminish the events of 1974, nor 
can we ignore the human rights violations by Turkey that continue 
today. For more than 34 years the United States and United Nations, as 
well as European nations, have lamented Turkey's 1974 invasion and 
subsequent occupation of the Republic of Cyprus. Turkey's poor 
treatment of Greek-Cypriots living in the occupied area, and its 
desecration of Christian churches, is without justification.
  In July, 1974, Turkey invaded Cyprus in complete violation of 
international law and is currently occupying approximately 37 percent 
of Cyprus' territory. Nearly 200,000 Greek Cypriots were forced from 
their homes, making them refugees in their own country. A large portion 
of those homes were unlawfully given over to thousands of illegal 
settlers from Turkey, whom are still there today.
  During the Turkish invasion, Cyprus's main town in Famagusta was 
bombarded and the entire population was forced to flee their homes in 
fear, never to return again. The Turkish forces sealed off the city 
with barbed wire fences and this is how it remains today. Since 1974, 
more than 75 resolutions have been adopted by the U.N. Security Council 
and more than 13 by the General Assembly, calling for the return of the 
refugees to their homes and properties. These resolutions are being 
ignored by Turkey, which continues to violate the basic human rights 
and fundamental freedoms of the Greek Cypriots.
  Since 1974, U.N. Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, 
as well as resolutions adopted by numerous other international 
organizations, and resolutions we in Congress have passed, reflect the 
universal condemnation of Turkey's invasion and all subsequent acts of 
aggression against Cyprus.
  The United States and Cyprus share a deep and abiding commitment to 
upholding the ideals of freedom, democracy, and human rights. The 
international community has a moral and ethical obligation to stand 
with Cypriots to reunify their island and end the military occupation.
  Cyprus's goal is the reunification of the island as a bicommunal and 
bizonal federation with a single sovereignty, single international 
personality and single citizenship with respect for human rights and 
fundamental freedoms for all Cypriots and the withdrawal of Turkish 
occupation forces. President Demetris Christofias is committed to 
negotiating in good faith in order to achieve a just and viable 
solution to the Cyprus problem on the basis of U.N. Security Council 
Resolutions, and the High Level Agreements of 1977 and 1979 and the 
values and principles on which the EU is founded.

[[Page E1534]]

  It is my sincere hope that as we honor the 34th anniversary of 
Turkey's invasion of Cyprus that we are closer to the end of the 
occupation than to the beginning.

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