Ileana Ros-Lehtinen: “I rise today to address the Turkish occupation of Cyprus, a shameful occupation that is now entering its 31st year. Let…”

“I rise today to address the Turkish occupation of Cyprus, a shameful occupation that is now entering its 31st year. Let me begin by thanking the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis) and the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney) for providing an opportunity for discussion on this important topic. Mr. Speaker, Turkish troops have been in Cyprus since the occupation in 1974, when over the course of a two-stage offensive, Turkish troops took control of 38 percent of the island. The number of occupying troops now stands at over 30,000 Turkish troops, making Cyprus one of the most militarized countries in the world. As a Cuban political refugee, the values of liberty and democracy are very dear to my heart. I personally empathize with the Greek Cypriot community and share their plight to achieve a fair end to the Turkish occupation. The emergence of a strong, vibrant and justifiably unified Cyprus would promote stability both politically and economically to the entire Mediterranean region and would provide a strategic ally for the United States at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and Asia. As a senior member of the House Committee on International Relations and as a member of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, I shared the joy with families across Cyprus for their much-deserving union with the European Community, as the prominence of Cyprus will be augmented by its full integration into the European Union.…”