[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17395]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   REMEMBERING THE 34TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TURKISH INVASION OF CYPRUS

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                       HON. THADDEUS G. McCOTTER

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 29, 2008

  Mr. McCOTTER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to acknowledge and remember 
the 34th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, to mourn the 
thousands of Greek Cypriots who lost their lives, and to condemn 
Turkey's ongoing occupation of the Republic of Cyprus.
   On July 20, 1974, Turkey invaded the island in blatant contravention 
of international law. After days of bloodshed, Turkey's soldiers 
maintained a stronghold in the north, and eventually gained control of 
roughly 37% of the island. As a result of the invasion and occupation, 
approximately 200,000 Greek Cypriots were forced from their homes and 
over 5,000 were killed. Furthermore, over 1,400 Greek Cypriots, 
including 4 Americans, remain missing since the start of Turkey's 
onslaught.
  Cyprus and the United States share a deep and abiding commitment to 
uphold the ideals of freedom, democracy, justice, and human rights. The 
international community has a moral and ethical obligation to stand 
with persecuted Cypriots, reunify the island, and end Turkey's military 
occupation.
   Madam Speaker, we cannot forget the realities of what took place on 
July 20, 1974, in Cyprus, nor can we continue to ignore the ongoing 
human rights violations by Turkey's occupying army. Today, I wish to 
offer my support for a single independent and sovereign Cyprus, which 
not only respects human rights, but the fundamental freedoms of all 
Cypriots.

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