[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 107 (Monday, July 18, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1344]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




37TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ILLEGAL INVASION OF CYPRUS BY THE TURKISH ARMED 
                                 FORCES

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NIKI TSONGAS

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 18, 2011

  Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, next week marks the 37th anniversary of the 
illegal invasion of Cyprus by Turkish armed forces. The lengthy 
duration of this occupation, which consumes nearly 37 percent of 
Cyprus' territory, is particularly disappointing given the number of 
multilateral organizations--the U.N., NATO and the EU--who have a 
vested interest in this dispute and who should work in concert to bring 
about a peaceful resolution. While some progress has been made, there 
is still much work to be done. Greek Cypriots have been evicted from 
their property, and cultural and religious desecration has been 
widespread. The Turkish government cannot maintain this occupation and 
hope to ever achieve membership in the EU.
  Respect for international law and calls for self-representation must 
be answered with regard to Cyprus. Turkey must live up to its 
international responsibilities and return all of Cyprus to the 
Cypriots. Throughout my tenure in Congress, I have supported a variety 
of initiatives in support of this outcome including sending letters to 
President Obama and Secretary Clinton applauding the administration's 
commitment to exercise U.S. leadership in the negotiation for a just 
solution on Cyprus. We agree that a solution to the Cyprus problem 
should result in a single, sovereign country within a bi-zonal, bi-
communal federation. Thirty-seven years of discord is long enough; 
Cypriots deserve a government for them and by them.
  Since his election in February 2008, President Demetris Christofias 
has followed through on his promise to make the solution of the Cyprus 
problem his top priority and principal concern. In September of 2008, 
he embarked on negotiations with the then-leader of the Turkish Cypriot 
community, Mr. Mehmet Ali Talat, under the auspices of the United 
Nations with U.S. support. The negotiations are now continuing with the 
new leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, Mr. Dervis Eroglu.
  The solution must reunite the island and safeguard the human rights 
and fundamental freedoms of all Cypriots and the withdrawal of Turkish 
forces from Cyprus.

                          ____________________