[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 19282]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 COMMEMORATING THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TURKISH OCCUPATION OF CYPRUS

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                          HON. SHELLEY BERKLEY

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 23, 2009

  Ms. BERKLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise to commemorate once again the 
anniversary of Turkey's illegal invasion and occupation of Cyprus, 
beginning in 1974, lasting up to the present time. The division of 
Cyprus has wreaked havoc on the island nation and left its Turkish-
occupied section in disarray. It is cruel that the Cypriot people 
should continue to be subjected to this conflict.
  Three summers ago, we were all pleased to see the two sides reach a 
major breakthrough in the troubled history of this divided island. 
After years of conflict, both sides committed themselves to the re-
unification of Cyprus based on a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation and 
political equality. By agreeing to these principles, they recognized 
the status quo is unacceptable and that continuing it only hurts 
Turkish and Greek Cypriots.
  It is my hope--and I believe my colleagues share in my feeling--that 
the two sides will soon be able to begin full-fledged negotiations, 
leading to a final status agreement and the removal of all Turkish 
troops from the island. Last Congress, this House expressed its support 
for these efforts by unanimously passing H. Res. 405, of which I was a 
proud cosponsor.
  Madam Speaker, we urge the two parties to move forward in their 
discussions and, at the same time, we urge the international community 
to step back and allow the Cypriots--and the Cypriots alone--to make 
the decisions affecting their future. No one can force an agreement on 
them.

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