Peter Visclosky: “I rise today to mark the twenty-fourth anniversary of Turkey's invasion, and subsequent occupation, of Cyprus. It is…”

“I rise today to mark the twenty-fourth anniversary of Turkey's invasion, and subsequent occupation, of Cyprus. It is extremely disturbing to me that every year we are compelled to gather in this chamber to remind the world of the horrible events that led to the division of Cyprus, and to remember those who were killed, injured, or displaced when Turkey invaded the island in 1974. It is clear to me and to most of my colleagues, as well as a vast majority of the international community, that Cyprus must be made whole again and Turkey must be held accountable for its reprehensible actions in dividing the island. Fourteen years after gaining its independence from Great Britain, Cyprus was illegally and brutally invaded by 6,000 Turkish troops and 40 tanks. These troops proceeded to sweep over the northern section of Cyprus, occupying nearly 40 percent of the island. The ensuring fighting killed thousands of Cypriots and forced hundreds of thousands from their homes. Today, more than 1,600 people are still unaccounted for, five of whom are United States citizens. Twenty-four years after the invasion, we gather to remember those who died and to ensure that the world never forgets that Cyprus is a land divided. More than 35,000 Turkish troops continue to occupy Cyprus in violation of international law.”