Frank Pallone: “I rise tonight to congratulate the Republic of Cyprus on the 38th anniversary of its independence today. I came down to…”

“I rise tonight to congratulate the Republic of Cyprus on the 38th anniversary of its independence today. I came down to the House floor to speak about Cyprus's Independence Day because I think it is imperative that Congress take every opportunity to highlight the fact that the Republic of Cyprus does not enjoy true independence as we understand it in the United States. For 24 of the 38 years since Cyprus became an independent State, the northern 37 percent of the island has been occupied by an illegal Turkish occupation force. Today, some 35,000 Turkish troops remain entrenched in the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which has been recognized only by the regime in Ankara. This occupation continues to destabilize the region, and sadly, the Turks appear to be growing only more and more intransigent and unreasonable in moving the peace process forward. Despite numerous outstanding U.N. resolutions calling for a negotiated settlement, and a standing offer by Cypriot President Clerides to demilitarize the island, the regime in Ankara deliberately set the peace process back.”