Rep. Maloney Marks 37th Anniversary of Illegal Turkish Invasion of Cyprus

Jul 13, 2011 Issues: Hellenic Caucus Greek Issues,

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Carolyn Maloney commemorated the 37th anniversary of the illegal Turkish invasion of Cyprus at a breakfast reception this morning in the U.S. Capitol with lawmakers and Hellenic leaders.  Today’s event was organized by the American Hellenic Institute in cooperation with the Congressional Hellenic Caucus, of which Maloney is a co-founder and co-chair.  The Turkish invasion of Cyprus began on July 20, 1974.

A full copy of Maloney’s remarks at today’s breakfast follows.


“Next week, we commemorate the 37th anniversary of the illegal Turkish invasion of Cyprus.  We must ensure that the passage of time does not allow us to forget that the Cyprus issue is the result of an illegal invasion and ongoing occupation.  Ending the island’s tragic division will pave the way to prosperity and peace throughout the entire region,” said Congresswoman Maloney.  “Thirty-seven years after the invasion, Turkey continues forcibly to occupy more than one-third of Cyprus with more than 40,000 troops.  This amounts to almost one Turkish soldier for every two Turkish Cypriots.  It is time for Turkey to withdraw its troops from Cyprus so that the island can move forward as one nation.”

Background

Maloney has worked diligently with her colleagues in the Hellenic Caucus to oppose the continued division and occupation of Cyprus.  With 137 members, the Hellenic Caucus is one of the largest in Congress.  In the last Congress, Maloney and Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Gus Bilirakis passed a resolution in the House calling for the protection of religious sites and artifacts from and in Turkish-occupied areas of northern Cyprus, as well as for general respect for religious freedom.

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Remarks of Representative Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-14)
American Hellenic Institute Breakfast
37th Anniversary of the Cyprus Invasion
July 13, 2011

I am so pleased to be here with all of you today.

I’d like to thank Nick Larigakis, President of the American Hellenic Institute, for organizing this event today, and I’d like to offer a warm welcome to Mayor Galanos, visiting from the occupied area of Famagusta to speak with us on the current state of affairs there.

As you know, next week we commemorate the 37th anniversary of the 1974 illegal Turkish invasion of Cyprus.  We must ensure that the passage of time does not allow us to forget that the Cyprus issue is the result of an illegal invasion and ongoing occupation.

It is time for Turkey to withdraw its troops from Cyprus so that the island can move forward as one nation.

As you all know, Turkey continues forcibly to occupy more than one-third of Cyprus with more than 40,000 troops.  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.

The destruction of religious and cultural sites and artifacts continues unabated, in a long list of Turkish actions that flagrantly disrespect the rights and religious freedoms of the Cypriot people. 

This is simply unacceptable.

My Caucus co-chair, Rep. Bilirakis, and I passed a resolution in the House in the last Congress calling for the protection of religious sites and artifacts from and in Turkish-occupied areas of northern Cyprus as well as for general respect for religious freedom.  And we continue to work with the Caucus to raise awareness of the Cyprus problem and the role the U.S. can play to support the negotiations.

As co-chair and co-founder of the Congressional Hellenic Caucus, I have worked diligently with my colleagues in the Caucus out of our mutual concern for the continued division and occupation of Cyprus. With 137 members today, we have one of the largest caucuses in Congress.

Cyprus is playing a vital role in European affairs while also strengthening relations with the United States.  It has joined with us on issues important to our own security, including the fight against terrorism and other international crimes. 

Ending the island’s tragic division will pave the way to prosperity and peace throughout the entire region.

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. 

The United States and the international community must continue to provide support to this process.

As Secretary Clinton remarked last year: “The reunification of the island is in the best interests of not only the people of Cyprus, but the region, and it could set an example for the international community as well.”  Thank you.