[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 111 (Friday, July 22, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1392]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  COMMEMORATING THE 37TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TURKISH INVASION OF CYPRUS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. STEVEN R. ROTHMAN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 22, 2011

  Mr. ROTHMAN of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate 
the 37th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus and to remember 
this tragic event for the Greek Cypriot people.
  The commemoration of the 1974 Turkish military invasion of the island 
of Cyprus serves as a solemn reminder for all freedom-loving people to 
mourn those who lost their lives in the invasion and to condemn the 
ongoing Turkish occupation. For the past 37 years, Cyprus has endured 
the illegal military occupation of over one third of its territory by 
the Turkish armed forces, an occupation which stands in violation of 
more than 75 U.N. Security Council resolutions calling for the 
withdrawal of Turkish troops. Despite this unjust infringement upon 
Cyprus, both the United States and the Cypriot governments remain 
committed to achieving a peaceful resolution of this dispute through 
diplomatic negotiations.
  The strong relationship between the United States and Cyprus is not 
based solely on a shared interest in ending the Turkish occupation of 
Cyprus, but also on the fact that both countries share a deep and 
abiding commitment to upholding the ideals of freedom, democracy, 
justice, human rights, and the international rule of law. The United 
States and the rest of the international community have a moral 
obligation to stand with Cypriots as they work to reunify their island 
and end the Turkish military occupation.
  As a friend of Cyprus, I will continue to work with my colleagues to 
realize a reunification of the island as a bi-communal and bi-zonal 
federation that will protect the human rights and fundamental freedoms 
of all Cypriots. However, any solution must include a prompt withdrawal 
of Turkish occupation forces. Cypriot President Demetris Christofias 
remains committed to negotiating a just, viable solution to this 
problem in accordance with the many U.N. Security Council Resolutions 
adopted on this issue since 1974, with the High Level Agreements of 
1977 and 1979, and on the basis of the ideals and principles upon which 
the European Union was founded.
  Mr. Speaker, today I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
37th anniversary of this violent invasion that brutally divided the 
island nation of Cyprus, and to encourage Turkish Cypriot leaders to 
negotiate in good faith with their Greek Cypriot counterparts to settle 
this dispute and to develop a plan for reunification that addresses the 
serious concerns of all Cypriots. The reunification of Cyprus must 
remain a priority for this Congress and for the international 
community. On this important anniversary, we mourn the deaths of those 
killed in the invasion and the lost opportunities for reunification 
over the years, but we look forward to a future of a reunited and 
peaceful Cyprus.

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