Benjamin Gilman: “today's Special Order on Cyprus comes on the 22d anniversary of the brutal invasion by Turkish troops. I commend my…”

“today's Special Order on Cyprus comes on the 22d anniversary of the brutal invasion by Turkish troops. I commend my friend the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Bilirakis] for organizing this Special Order. Today, the international community is still confronted with the fact that in excess of 30,000 Turkish military personnel remain on the island of Cyprus to enforce an illegal partition and to protect a self-proclaimed government that has been recognized by only one other country--Turkey itself. Those of us in the Congress who have supported a negotiated settlement to the dispute which has led to the division of Cyprus are painfully aware of the complexities of the issue, the injustices committed, and particularly the suffering over these many long years of the Cypriot people on both sides of the Green line. Indeed, Cyprus has become a code-word for stale-mate and intractability in international diplomacy. This year, new governments in Greece and Turkey had led to hopes and expectations that a fresh start in improving relations between the two countries could be made, and lead to the mutual confidence that could produce a settlement for Cyprus. Those hopes were dashed when Turkish war ships attempted to challenge Greek sovereignty over Imia. Because of concerns over increasing instability in the Aegean we placed a hold on the transfer of three U.S. naval frigates to Turkey.”