Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark an anniversary that has pained the Cypriot and Hellenic communities for 41 years. On July 20, 1974, 41 years ago yesterday, in blatant violation of international law, Turkey invaded Cyprus and captured much of the northern part of the island. Since the invasion, Turkey has occupied nearly 40 percent of Cyprus. They inhabit homes previously owned by Greek Cypriots, forcibly relocating 160,000 Greek Cypriots and infusing the island with hundreds of thousands of Turkish settlers. Another 1,500 Cypriots remain missing since the 1974 invasion, including four Americans whose remains have not been located. Religious artifacts and cultural relics have been destroyed in the wake of the Turkish Army's invasion and, after 41 years of displacement, are now lost to time. Hundreds of churches and monasteries have been shamefully desecrated, losing all sense of their historic and religious significance. Cyprus has been a steadfast ally, and Cypriots deserve an end to this senseless division. With negotiations underway again for reunification, let's hope this time next year we will be celebrating the end of this illegal occupation. As it builds, Turkey cannot be allowed to stonewall this democratic process any longer. Today the United States stands in a unique role as a friend of both Cyprus and Turkey. As an honest broker to both sides, we can help them to see that a unified future for Cyprus is far more promising than the present.…”