[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 110 (Thursday, July 21, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1385]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE 37TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ILLEGAL INVASION OF CYPRUS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELTON GALLEGLY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 21, 2011

  Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, yesterday marked the 37th anniversary of 
the illegal invasion and ongoing occupation of Cyprus by Turkish 
forces. During the war, approximately 5,000 Cypriots were killed and 
close to 200,000 Greek Cypriots were forcibly removed from their homes. 
This anniversary also marks another year in which Cyprus is divided 
between north and south and between the Turkish Cypriot and Greek 
Cypriot communities.
  However, despite 37 years of division in Cyprus, I remain hopeful 
about reaching a just and lasting settlement. Following his election in 
February 2008, President Demetris Christofias followed through on his 
commitment to make the solution of the Cyprus problem his top priority. 
In September of that year, he embarked on full-fledged negotiations 
with Mehmet Talat, who was at the time the leader of the Turkish 
Cypriot community. These negotiations are continuing under the new 
Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu.
  The ongoing talks aim at reaching a comprehensive settlement for the 
Cyprus problem with the goal of achieving the unification of Cyprus 
based on a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation and political equality, as 
set out in the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. 
The agreement should also lead to a single sovereignty, single 
citizenship and single international personality for Cyprus.
  There are still many difficult issues that need to be resolved before 
a comprehensive agreement to the Cyprus problem can be achieved. 
Turkey, which continues to deploy 43,000 troops in Cyprus, is critical 
to reaching such an agreement. I urge Turkey to work constructively 
with the Cypriots in support of a negotiated settlement and the 
peaceful reunification of the island.
  For many years, Cyprus has proven to be a loyal friend and ally of 
the United States. Throughout the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, Cyprus 
has provided overflight and landing rights to U.S. aircraft and port 
access for our ships. In addition, during the Lebanon crisis of 2006, 
Cyprus served as the principal transit location for people evacuating 
Lebanon, including 15,000 U.S. citizens. The U.S. and Cyprus also share 
a deep commitment to freedom, democracy and human rights. Given the 
long-standing friendship between the U.S. and Cyprus, I call upon the 
United States Government to become actively engaged in moving forward 
the negotiations regarding the future of Cyprus.