[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 105 (Thursday, July 14, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1320]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  COMMEMORATING THE 37TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TURKISH INVASION OF CYPRUS

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                            HON. ALBIO SIRES

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 14, 2011

  Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, thirty-seven years ago, on July 20, 1974, 
nearly 200,000 Greek Cypriots fell victim to a Turkish invasion of 
northern Cyprus. They were forcibly evicted from their homes and became 
refugees in their own country. Today, Turkey continues to occupy more 
than one-third of Cyprus with more than 43,000 Turkish troops, making 
the occupied area of Cyprus one of the most militarized areas in the 
world. In addition, mass violation of the human rights and fundamental 
freedoms of the Cypriot people continue, as well as forcible ethnic 
segregation and division of the Greek Cypriot and Turks Cypriot 
communities.
  During the invasion, Greek Cypriots were expelled from their homes, 
resulting in the usurpation and illegal exploitation of the property 
belonging to the Greek Cypriot refugees. Massive colonization of the 
occupied areas of Cyprus has also occurred over the past several 
decades through the illegal placement of more than 160,000 Turkish 
mainland settlers, who now outnumber the indigenous Turkish Cypriots by 
almost two to one. Furthermore, cultural destruction and religious 
desecration continues in northern Cyprus, where many churches, chapels, 
monasteries, and numerous archaeological sites have been looted, 
vandalized, or destroyed.
  I had the opportunity to visit Cyprus several years ago and observe 
first-hand the devastation that the occupation has had on the island 
for 37 years. Upon my return, it has been a goal of mine to work with 
my colleagues in Congress to promote a reunified and prosperous Cyprus 
where Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots can live together in peace, 
security and stability and clear of foreign aggression. On July 20th we 
must remember our Cypriot friends and commit to work with them to 
reunify the island.

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