[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 107 (Monday, July 18, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1343]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      THE RECENT TRAGEDY IN CYPRUS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SHELLEY BERKLEY

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 18, 2011

  Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express support and sympathy for 
the people of Cyprus about the tragedy that recently occurred in one of 
their naval bases, killing 13 people and injuring dozens more. Our 
thoughts and prayers are with the people of Cyprus at this extremely 
difficult time.
  This tragic story begins with a courageous act of international 
leadership by the government of Cyprus. In January 2009, a Cypriot-
flagged merchant ship was illegally transporting arms from Iran to 
Syria, when it was called to port by the Cypriot government. Acting on 
their suspicions, Cypriot forces arrested the sailors aboard the ship, 
seized the arms, and stored them at the Evangelos Florakis Naval Base 
in Zygi, Cyprus, where they had been kept until now.
  On Monday, July 11, the gunpowder in these containers was ignited by 
a brush fire and exploded. Thirteen Cypriots were killed in this 
massive explosion and fire, including the commander of the Cypriot 
navy, Andreas Ioannides, and the commander of the base, Lambros 
Lambrou. The explosion also damaged the most important power plant in 
Cyprus, which normally supplies 60 percent of the electricity for the 
island, causing widespread blackouts, reducing water supply, and 
threatening the nation's economy.
  This tragic event is made only more so by the fact that it began with 
such a great act of leadership on the part of the Cypriot government. I 
know my colleagues join me in extending our deepest appreciation to the 
Cypriot government for the actions they took to stop the illegal arms 
shipment and in expressing our deepest condolences for those who lost 
their lives and all those who were harmed by this tragic event.
  We stand ready to assist the Cypriot people to recover from this 
accident and look forward to many more years of working together to 
advance the cause of world peace.

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