[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 107 (Tuesday, July 20, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1380]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   36TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TURKISH INVASION OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LORETTA SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 20, 2010

  Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Madam Speaker, today marks the 
36th anniversary of Turkey's invasion of the Republic of Cyprus. July 
20, 1974 began the Turkish occupation of the northern part of Cyprus 
and to this day 43,000 Turkish troops occupy nearly 37 percent of 
Cyprus' territory.
  Since 1974, the people of Cyprus have endured mass violation of their 
human rights and fundamental freedom along with forcible ethnic 
segregation. The people of Cyprus also witnessed the destruction of 
their culture and their religious heritage destroyed.
  The international community has been actively involved in developing 
a solution for the people of Cyprus. However, Turkey has repeatedly 
ignored all international pressure including 75 resolutions that have 
been adopted by the United Nations Security Council and more than 13 by 
the United Nations General Assembly since 1974.
  Members of Congress along with the international community must 
continue to work diligently to reach a comprehensive settlement of the 
Cyprus problem We must strongly urge Turkey to respect human rights and 
ultimately withdraw its forces from Cyprus.
  Cyprus and the U.S. share a deep commitment to uphold the ideals of 
freedom, democracy, justice, human rights, and the international rule 
of law. I believe the international community has a moral and ethical 
obligation to stand with the Cypriots to reunify their island and end 
the military occupation.

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