Patrick Kennedy: “It is imperative that we correct Cyprus' situation as a divided state. The people of Cyprus are divided into two states…”

“It is imperative that we correct Cyprus' situation as a divided state. The people of Cyprus are divided into two states ruled by two governments. The Greek Cypriots in the south are ruled by the Republic of Cyprus, erected in 1960 when independence was granted. The north has been occupied by the Turkish since 1975, when they illegally invaded the island. The divided Cyprus is a story of two nations; one a well balanced democracy with three thriving parties, the other a militarily occupied area. The economic disparity in the divided Cyprus is even more pronounced. The south's economy is booming as the result of their low trade barriers and free market economies. Their GNP has risen at a record-breaking rate as unemployment falls. Meanwhile, the economy of the north has stagnated and inflation run rampant at 70 percent as the Turkish close it off from the rest of the world. For there ever to be peace and prosperity on the island of Cyprus, a unified independent government protecting all of Cyprus must be created. A critical part of such an event will be the withdrawal of Turkish troops from northern Cyprus.”