[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 19868]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              COMMEMORATING THE TURKISH INVASION OF CYPRUS

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                           HON. NITA M. LOWEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 25, 2003

  Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, today, we sadly commemorate the 29th 
anniversary of the Turkish occupation of Cyprus. Over one quarter 
century ago, more than 200,000 Cypriots were driven from their homes 
and forced to live under foreign occupation. Today, the legacy of this 
tragedy is the enormous Turkish military presence in Cyprus and the 
ongoing mystery of the fate of those who have disappeared. The 
occupation has gone on for far too long. We must strive for 
reunification, and we must achieve it soon, so that all Cypriots can 
benefit from Cyprus's new stature on the world stage.
  Cyprus is well on its way to full EU membership--by this time next 
year it will be official. And, while Turkish Cypriot leader Denktash 
has continued to throw up roadblocks in front of a formal settlement, 
it seems the people of Cyprus are fed up with living on a divided 
island. We have been inspired by the stories of peace and kindness that 
have emerged from the opening of the borders--an opening that has taken 
place without the violence Mr. Denktash so stridently predicted. We all 
know that while leaders may make peace agreements, people make peace--
and that is what we have witnessed in Cyprus.
  As Ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on 
Foreign Operations, it has been an honor to fight to achieve a 
substantial earmark for Cyprus each year. This assistance demonstrates 
our commitment to the people of Cyprus and our recognition of their 
struggle. These funds support measures aimed at reunifying the island 
and reducing tensions and promoting peace between the people of Cyprus. 
I believe this earmark sends a strong signal to the people of Cyprus 
that the United States is unflinchingly committed to realizing the goal 
of a reunified Cyprus. As the appropriations process continues, I will 
work to ensure the earmark once again reaches its traditional level of 
$15 million.
  We must work together to keep up the pressure on Turkey to end its 
occupation of Cyprus and to allow the Cypriot people to live in peace 
and freedom. This year, more than ever, we must not let the opportunity 
for a resolution to this conflict pass.

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