[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 109 (Monday, July 20, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1848]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INVASION OF CYPRUS

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                        HON. MICHAEL E. McMAHON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 20, 2009

  Mr. McMAHON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 35th 
anniversary of the division of the Island of Cyprus.
  Thirty-five years ago, Turkish troops invaded and occupied the island 
of Cyprus and divided a community. While time may heal all wounds, the 
wounds of the division of Cyprus remain fresh today with thousands of 
Turkish troops continuing to occupy the northern third of the Island.
  The Republic of Cyprus is a member of the European Union, a strong 
ally of the United States and a stable democracy in the Mediterranean. 
The Republic has opened the benefits of EU citizenship to both Greek 
and Turkish Cypriots on both sides of the divide. Since 2003 there has 
been confidence building exchanges and partnerships between the two 
communities and the residents have the ability to travel freely between 
the Republic of Cyprus and the occupied North.
  With all these positive developments happening, some things still 
remain all too intractable. The number of Turkish troops in the North 
is the same as those present thirty-five years ago, and Greek religious 
sights in the North still suffer from neglect. Communities may be free 
to travel but the Island is still divided based on ethnicity.
  Bringing the Greek and Turkish communities together in a bi-zonal, 
bi-communal federation is the goal of President Obama, the European 
Union and most importantly it is the goal of the Cypriot people. On the 
thirty-fifth anniversary of the division of Cyprus, I urge both Cypriot 
President Demetrius Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali 
Talat to re-double their efforts to insure the removal of Turkish 
troops, free movement between the Greek and Turkish communities and for 
a final end to the division of the Island. The time is now for us as a 
Congress and with our President's commitment to move Cyprus to a future 
of peace and prosperity.

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