[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15744]
[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

                         Tuesday, July 22, 2008

  Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Speaker, today, we sadly commemorate the 34th 
anniversary of the Turkish occupation of Cyprus. Over a third of a 
century ago, more than 200,000 Cypriots were driven from their homes 
and forced to live under foreign occupation. The legacy of this 
occupation still weighs heavily on the northern third of the island, 
which remains occupied by Turkish troops. In fact, the Turkish-Cypriot 
Administered North Cyprus has the dubious distinction of being one of 
the most militarized areas in the world, with nearly one Turkish 
soldier for every two Turkish Cypriot.
  A devastating consequence of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus is the 
tragic humanitarian problem of missing persons. Today, there are more 
than 1,400 Greek Cypriots still missing as well as four missing 
Americans. A series of UN Security Council and General Assembly 
resolutions condemn Turkey's invasion and call for the tracing of 
missing persons. As we mark the 34th year of Turkey's invasion of 
Cyprus, I encourage all governments involved to adhere to humanitarian 
principles and international practices regarding the effective 
investigation of the whereabouts of missing persons.
  While we commemorate the past and our hearts go out to those 
suffering continuing hardship due to missing loved ones. Positive steps 
underway could lead to a brighter future for all Cypriots. We are 
encouraged that, for the first time in five years, both sides are 
engaging in constructive dialogue. Since March, leaders from the South 
and North have taken positive steps towards reunification and have met 
three times. I urge both sides to continue this positive discourse 
including at a meeting this Friday. I sincerely hope a solution to the 
Cyprus issue will soon be reached to reuniting the island under a 
government that safeguards human rights, completes the investigation 
into the whereabouts of missing persons, and respects the fundamental 
freedoms of the people as a whole.

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