[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 111 (Tuesday, July 30, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1155]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE 39TH ANNIVERSARY OF TURKEY'S INVASION AND OCCUPATION OF 
                                 CYPRUS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN P. SARBANES

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 30, 2013

  Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, June 20, 2013 marks the 39th anniversary 
of Turkey's invasion and occupation of the small island Republic of 
Cyprus. Over time, Turkey's forced division of Cyprus has become its 
signature failing--a senseless act of defiance against the family of 
nations.
  For more than 60-years, the United States and our European allies 
have given unyielding and steadfast economic, military and moral 
support to Turkey. Today, Turkey reaps great benefit from its 
relationship with the West. Its economy has grown tremendously. Its 
homeland is secure against enemies who know that NATO stands sentinel 
over Turkey.
  Turkey's rulers have long promised the people of Turkey that theirs 
is a nation on a journey to full democratic liberties, a powerful 
nation confident and secure in its place on the world stage, a country 
that pursues ``zero problems with its neighbors.'' As it seeks to join 
the European Union, Turkey has given repeated assurances to its allies 
that its principal ambition is to embrace democracy and the rule of 
law.
  How then to explain the continued stationing of 45,000 Turkish troops 
on Cyprus? How to explain a myriad of other conduct that so glaringly 
belies Turkey's stated aspirations. The truth is that an authoritarian 
impulse still pervades the Turkish ruling establishment and keeps it 
from democracy's full embrace. This was most recently illustrated in 
Turkey's treatment of the burgeoning relationship between Cyprus and 
Israel. Rather than join those two nations in a peaceful and democratic 
dialogue for the future development of the Eastern Mediterranean, Prime 
Minister Erdogan has set Turkish warships to sail in Cypriot waters and 
threatens the use of force against both Israel and Cyprus.
  The United States and our European allies must no longer tolerate 
Turkey's provocative and antidemocratic conduct. To that end, it is 
eminently fair to view Cyprus as the yard stick by which Turkey is to 
be judged. As long as Turkey maintains its occupation of the island, it 
cannot pretend to have rid itself of the utterly destructive colonial 
and authoritarian ideologies of a bygone era. To demonstrate a 
readiness to take up its responsibilities as a NATO ally and candidate 
country of the European Union, Cyprus is the test that Turkey must 
pass.

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