Jack Reed: “today, on behalf of the Greek Cypriot population of Rhode Island, and Greek Cypriots around the world, I recognize the…”

“today, on behalf of the Greek Cypriot population of Rhode Island, and Greek Cypriots around the world, I recognize the 32nd anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. Shortly before dawn 32 years ago today, heavily armed Turkish troops landed on the northern coast of Cyprus launching the invasion and subsequent occupation of Northern Cyprus. Over the next 2 months, over 200,000 Greek Cypriots, an overwhelming 82 percent of the island's population, were forced to seek refuge in the southern Greek controlled portions of Cyprus. Turkey eventually called a ceasefire after seizing 37 percent of the island. To this day Turkey is the only country that recognizes the self-declared ``Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.'' Over the last 30 years, the United Nations Security Council and General Assembly have striven to resolve this ongoing territorial dispute through multiple failed peace talks and resolutions. While many years and much thought has gone into determining an equally agreeable solution, talks between the Greek Cypriot south and the Turkish Cypriot north constantly end in a stalemate. However, hope was renewed this month when the United Nations began drafting recommendations on reviving stalled peace talks between this war-divided island's Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities.…”