[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 15502]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            34TH ANNIVERSARY OF TURKEY'S INVASION OF CYPRUS

  Ms. MIKULSKI. Madam President, I rise to commemorate the 34th 
anniversary of Turkey's invasion of the island of Cyprus. Today, Cyprus 
remains a divided island, with a third of the territory still occupied 
by Turkish forces.
  Over the years, numerous United Nations resolutions have called for 
the respect of the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of 
Cyprus and for an immediate end to the Turkish occupation. The 
Government and people of Cyprus are ready to make compromises to 
achieve peace and to reunify the island. We must continue to stand with 
them to fight for a fair and reasonable agreement--one that safeguards 
basic freedoms and human rights for all Cypriots.
  I am proud of the partnership we have with the Republic of Cyprus. 
During the evacuation of Lebanon in 2006, Cyprus served as the primary 
transit location for some 15,000 U.S. citizens and was the launching 
point for humanitarian aid to the people of Lebanon. As a member of the 
European Union, the Government of Cyprus has worked to improve the 
economic viability of all its citizens and has taken important steps to 
integrate the Turkish-Cypriot community.
  Madam President, I welcome the renewed interest in the efforts for a 
comprehensive and fair solution to reunify Cyprus. I urge the 
Government of Turkey to cooperate with the negotiations and I applaud 
the people of Cyprus for their steadfast commitment to securing a 
peaceful and prosperous future.

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