[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 110 (Tuesday, July 15, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1161]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 OCCUPIED CYPRUS--FORTY YEARS OF ILLEGAL OCCUPATION, ETHNIC CLEANSING, 
                   AND DESTRUCTION OF RELIGIOUS SITES

                                  _____
                                 

                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 15, 2014

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark 40 years 
since the illegal occupation of the Republic of Cyprus by the 
government of Turkey. These forty years have been marked by tragedy for 
the Greek Cypriots, and by criminal guilt for the Turkish government. 
In July 1974 the Turkish army began its sneak invasion of the island--
it was the beginning of a tragedy and outrage that continues today. At 
least one hundred eighty thousand Greek Cypriots were forced to flee 
the north. They lost all their property--shockingly, even today none of 
them have been allowed to return to their property. The Turkish 
government effectively ``ethnically cleansed'' the north of the island, 
where only a few hundred Greek Cypriots live in small enclaves, and 
even they are not allowed to worship freely.
  During these forty years over five hundred Christian religious sites 
have been demolished, destroyed, or desecrated, for example turned into 
casinos or warehouses. Eighty stolen churches have been converted into 
mosques. Artifacts from churches and cemeteries continually show up on 
the international black market.
  Mr. Speaker, in the current discussions about reunifying the island, 
the United States must stand firm on the complete withdrawal of Turkish 
military forces, respect for universally-recognized human rights for 
all Cypriots everywhere on the island, and an independent, unified 
government.

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