[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12354]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   STATEMENT ON THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF ILLEGAL OCCUPATION OF CYPRUS

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 17, 2014

  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in 
honor of July 20th, a special day of remembrance for the families and 
loved ones of all those who have suffered so greatly as the result of 
one of the biggest national tragedies in modern Greek History--the 1974 
illegal invasion and occupation of the island of Cyprus by Turkish 
soldiers.
  On July 20th, 40 years will have passed since the invasion forced 
nearly two hundred thousand Greek Cypriots to leave their homes in the 
occupied area and become refugees in their own country.
  Turkey continues to forcibly occupy more than one-third of Cyprus 
with more than 43,000 troops. This amounts to almost one Turkish 
soldier for every two Turkish Cypriots.
  To date, Turkey has repeatedly ignored all U.N. Resolutions 
pertaining to Cyprus and has continued to occupy the island in complete 
violation of international law.
  As the co-chair and co-founder of the Congressional Hellenic Caucus, 
I fully support the reunification of Cyprus, and I am encouraged by the 
commitment of the Government of Cyprus to the UN-sponsored 
reunification talks.
  I believe the partnership between America and Cyprus is based on 
mutual respect, a commitment to common goals, and a sharing of 
fundamental values.
  I hope the recently renewed peace talks will allow Cyprus to take 
advantage of their gas reserves in the Eastern Mediterranean, and the 
ability to work with another strong ally, Israel, to deliver natural 
gas to Europe.
  It is up to Congress to continue to make our voices heard on our 
ultimate goal of a reunified and prosperous Cyprus where Greek Cypriots 
and Turkish Cypriots can live together in peace, security and 
stability.

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