[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 109 (Monday, July 20, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1854]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          35TH COMMEMORATION OF THE TURKISH INVASION OF CYPRUS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ZACHARY T. SPACE

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 20, 2009

  Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker, 35 years ago today, Turkish forces invaded 
the sovereign nation of Cyprus, killing 5,000 Greek Cypriots and 
displacing nearly 200,000 as refugees in their own country. This 
blatant disregard for international law and lack of respect for a 
country's right to self-determination is made even worse by the fact 
that Turkish occupation of the northern segment of Cyprus continues to 
this day.
  35 years represents an entire generation of Cypriots expelled from 
their homes; their property taken, family members missing, and 
religious artifacts vandalized and destroyed. Nearly 37 percent of the 
island of Cyprus remains under Turkish military control, insistent on 
an illegitimate sovereignty that is unrecognized by any nation but 
Turkey.
  The legitimate, internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus stands 
firmly for peaceful resolution of the conflict. Cyprus wishes only to 
unify the island as a bi-zonal, bicommunal federation, in which Turkish 
Cypriots and Greek Cypriots are free to travel and participate in their 
own government. This path to a resolution calls for a single 
citizenship, a single sovereignty, and two politically equal 
communities.
  More than 35 rounds of talks between the parties have occurred since 
September, 2008, signaling slow progress toward this mutually-agreeable 
solution. Peaceful crossings between the two segments of the island 
have occurred. Yet, negotiations are consistently delayed and thwarted 
by Turkey, who must draw down its troops and free the Turkish Cypriot 
leaders to negotiate within the agreed-upon framework.
  The solution to proceed with a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation is, 
most importantly, Cypriot in design. Cyprus must be the author of its 
own path forward. Yet, the United States can and must do more to 
encourage our ally, Turkey, to support the process and the 
reunification of the island. Resolution will remove a major barrier to 
Turkey's accession to the EU, but it cannot be rushed by artificial 
timetables. We must provide support and assistance to the process and 
those working to move it forward.
  The House took a step in encouraging reunification by allocating $11 
million for scholarships and activities that promote reunification and 
peace in Cyprus in the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Act 
that passed this month. I hope that we might follow this step with 
additional support and assistance towards this important goal.

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