Dawn Zimmer: “I thank my colleague, Mr. Bilirakis , for once again arranging this special order on Cyprus. I join my colleagues in…”

“I thank my colleague, Mr. Bilirakis , for once again arranging this special order on Cyprus. I join my colleagues in calling for a swift and peaceful end to the illegal occupation of nearly 40 percent of Cyprus by Turkey. That occupation has persisted since Turkey invaded Cyprus in July 1974. And, for 22 years, Turkey has ignored or rejected every effort to end that occupation and to resolve the agony it has created. There are 1,614 Greek Cypriots who were abducted by Turkish troops in that 1974 invasion and who remain missing today. I was appalled by comments made by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Danktash that these people must be presumed dead, and that some were killed by vengeful Turkish Cypriot irregulars who were under command of none other than Danktash himself. Given these revelations, the United Nations ought to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation to learn once and for all the fate of the persons reported as missing, including five Americans.”