[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13850]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


                                 CYPRUS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. STEVEN R. ROTHMAN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 18, 2002

  Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of the 28th 
Anniversary of the Turkish Invasion of Cyprus and to commemorate this 
tragedy for the Greek Cypriot people.
  It was over a quarter of a century ago that Turkey illegally invaded 
the island of Cyprus and created one of the most militarized zones in 
the world on one-third of the island. This invasion resulted in the 
death of 5,000 Greek Cypriots, and in the expulsion of 200,000 Greek 
Cypriots from their homes. More than 1,400 people have been missing and 
unaccounted for since the invasion, including Americans of Cypriot 
descent. Today, we mourn the deaths of these innocent people and 
condemn the 28-year occupation of Cyprus by Turkey.
  While we honor those who lost their lives in this tragedy, we also 
must look to the future when the Turkish military forces will withdraw 
completely and unconditionally from Cyprus, and a bi-zonal and bi-
communal republic with respect for sovereignty, independence and 
territorial integrity can be established. This year marked a turning 
point in the quest for the independence of Cyprus when both the Greek 
Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leadership began direct talks. It is my 
sincere hope that the division of Cyprus will be rectified by these 
leaders in the near future.
  Nevertheless, it is the obligation of the U.S. Congress to renounce 
the violence that separated the island nation of Cyprus, and to affirm 
that the reunification of the island nation is a priority for this 
Congress and the international community. On this anniversary of the 
Turkish invasion of Cyprus, we mourn the losses of the past 28 years, 
and we continue to encourage the restoration of fundamental freedoms to 
the people of Cyprus.

                          ____________________