[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 126 (Monday, July 28, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1574]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     34TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATING THE TURKISH INVASION OF CYPRUS

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                          HON. JOSEPH CROWLEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 28, 2008

  Mr. CROWLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and commemorate 
the 34th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus.
  On July 20, 1974, Turkish military forces invaded the island of 
Cyprus in violation of international law. Turkish troops occupied the 
northern part of Cyprus, and established a heavily-armed force that 
continues to control nearly 37 percent of the island. As a result of 
the illegal Turkish invasion and occupation, nearly 200,000 Greek 
Cypriots were forcibly expelled from their homes and approximately 
5,000 Cypriots were killed. On today's anniversary of the invasion, we 
mourn those who lost their lives in the invasion, and condemn the 
ongoing occupation.
  Just as Congress recognizes the anniversary of the Turkish invasion 
we must come together and support the Cypriot goal of reunification 
under a single internationally recognized government, a government that 
has its own international personality, and respects human and 
fundamental freedoms for all Cypriots. We must condemn the illegal 
invasion and work towards stopping the ongoing military occupation that 
is a gross violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of all 
Cypriots.
  I am encouraged by the recent partnership expressed by Greek 
President Christofias and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr. Mehmet Talat. 
The opening of Ledra Street in Nicosia, a key thoroughfare through the 
last divided capital, and the progress made in the July 8 agreement, 
which calls for the implementation of specific confidence-building 
measures such as establishing bicommunal working groups and technical 
committees to examine and discuss issues affecting the day-to-day lives 
of the people of Cyprus, have been outstanding. A great deal more, 
however, must be done.
  Again, I would like to express my support for the continued efforts 
to find a solution to this ongoing conflict and hope to see a unified 
Cyprus in the near future.

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