[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15740]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE 34TH COMMEMORATION OF THE TURKISH INVASION OF CYPRUS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT E. ANDREWS

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 22, 2008

  Mr. ANDREWS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the people of 
Cyprus who have experienced an illegal occupation that has divided 
their nation for the last 34 years. On July 20, 1974, an unlawful 
Turkish invasion created a division between the northern and southern 
parts of the island. This division still exists today despite the best 
efforts of the United Nations to broker a solution. However, I am 
encouraged by recent events that the reunification of Cyprus is now a 
real possibility.
  The Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974 was followed by widespread 
condemnation in the international community. The invasion and 
occupation drove nearly 200,000 Greek Cypriots from their homes. Sadly, 
about 5,000 Cypriots were killed in the attack and 1,400 Greek Cypriots 
remain missing and unaccounted for. Nearly a decade after the attack, 
Turkey advanced a ``unilateral declaration of independence'' in the 
northern area of the island occupied by the Turkish military. In 
response, the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 541, 
which denounced the claim of an independent state and called for the 
withdrawal of the declaration.
  I am greatly encouraged by the progress currently being accomplished 
in Cyprus. At his inauguration this February, incoming Cypriot 
President Demetris Christofias announced that solving the Cyprus 
problem is going to be the first priority of his government. In 
response, the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, Mehmet Ali 
Talat, said that a solution in Cyprus is possible by the end of 2008.
  The current state of affairs in Cyprus presents an opportunity for 
the United States to show leadership by working together with the UN 
and Cyprus to facilitate a peace process. It will take the cooperation 
of the international community to bring the stalemate to an acceptable 
conclusion.
  I applaud the leadership of President Christofias and his 
determination to reunify the country of Cyprus. The people of Cyprus 
have waited a long 34 years for peace and justice. They deserve the 
help of the United States and the international community in their 
endeavor.

                          ____________________