[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 123 (Friday, August 1, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1323]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SUPPORTING THE INCREASED DIALOGUE BETWEEN GREEK AND TURKISH CYPRIOTS

                                  _____
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 1, 2014

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today 
regarding the 40th anniversary of the division of Cyprus, and to 
encourage a final settlement that makes possible a reunited island and 
a shared, peaceful and prosperous future for all Cypriots.
  Over time, members of this House have delivered, and will deliver, 
statements denouncing Cyprus' status quo, while placing all 
responsibility of it with Turkey and its actions in 1974. It is 
scarcely noted that in 1963, as a result of ethnic tension, Turkish 
Cypriots were compelled to leave the joint institutions of the Republic 
of Cyprus. This hostile environment for the Turkish Cypriots continued 
and in 1974, the Cypriot National Guard, supported by Greece's military 
junta, launched a coup to secure enosis--or unification--with Greece. 
Following the coup, animosity towards Turkish Cypriots increased and 
the Cyprus that was once unified, became an environment where the 
Turkish Cypriots no longer felt safe nor welcome in their home country. 
Turkey defends it was within its rights to protect the population as a 
guarantor power under the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee.
  Each year, we hear from one side that a final settlement can be 
achieved once Turkey withdraws its forces from the island. The Turkish 
government has previously stated time and again its desire for a final 
settlement that protects the rights and freedoms of both communities, 
and will allow Turkish troops to return home. Turkish Prime Minister 
Erdogan called again this week for a political settlement based on 
mutual consensus and the political equality of both communities. 
Turkish Cypriots demonstrated their desire for the reunification of the 
island through their support--a decade ago--of the Annan Plan, which 
contained drastic compromises for both communities, yet was rejected by 
the Greek Cypriot community. The continuing isolation of Turkish 
Cypriots from the international community in the ten years since while 
Greek Cypriots, as the Republic of Cyprus, utilize EU membership and 
the global flows of commerce, is an imbalance that must be redressed.
  The only solution to this imbalance, and the status quo in total, is 
a comprehensive agreement where the rights and equality of both 
communities are recognized, respected, and maintained. Both parties 
will have to give, if common ground is to be secured. I call upon both 
sides to continue their efforts on this front, and express my hopes 
that the Administration do everything within its power to support such 
a process.

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