Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark an anniversary that has pained the Cypriot and Hellenic communities for 40 years. On July 20, 1974, in a blatant violation of international law, Turkey violently invaded Cyprus and captured much of the northern part of the island. Since the invasion, Turkey has occupied nearly 40 percent of Cyprus. Settlers were sent to inhabit homes that were previously owned by Greek Cypriots, forcibly relocating 160,000 Greek Cypriots. Religious artifacts and cultural relics have been destroyed in the wake of the Turkish Army's invasion, and after 40 years of displacement, they are now lost to time. Hundreds of churches and monasteries have been shamefully desecrated, losing all sense of their historic and religious significance. Despite this neglect, the Republic of Cyprus recognizes Turkish Cypriots as citizens of the Republic of Cyprus, and provides numerous benefits to them as they would any citizen. Turkish Cypriots are entitled to official passports, which allow them to enjoy the benefits of EU membership, including the freedom of movement within EU member countries. Turkish Cypriots are recipients of free medical care from public hospitals, and they are eligible for benefits from the Republic's Social Insurance Scheme. These policies have resulted in Greek and Turkish Cypriots living among each other with little trouble. Indeed, there have been millions of crossings at the Green Line without incident. So why the Turkish troops?…”