Do we now knuckle under to Turkey and say that. despite the blatant illegality of the Turkish occupation and Turkeys refusal to make even the slightest of concessions. Turkey now deserves or has in some mystical way earned the lifting of the embargo? When we vote on this issue. we are not just voting on a question of U.S. foreign policywe are determining. in part. the future of 200.000 refugees. In a collection of essays entitled "Cyprus Reviewed." Michael Attalides points out thatThe ultimate [political] reality is that of the people whose lives are dislocated ... the price of politics can be human lossloss of life. loss of material. loss of dignity and loss of meaning. If the embargo is lifted. absent a Cyprus settlement. it is unlikely that the Turks will find any reason to alter the status quo. If they have not made any movement toward a Cyprus settlement while the embargo is in place. what incentive could possibly remain following its repeal? Removal of the embargo will imply U.S. sanction of the status quo and will only finalize the displacement of the refugees and legitimize the physical alteration of Cyprus that has occurred since 1974 under Turkish occupation. Let me relate one refugees experience: We left the village on Thursday. early morning. with nothing. and I sat idle for 2 or 3 months .... I wanted to live with more dignity so I kept trying until I found work.... I havent taken one of the loans to farmers that the government has been offering because I am completely disillusioned by the situation of Cyprus today.
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refugees