Speech #1000076435

I would like to thank my friend and colleague. Mr. BILIRAKIS. for organizing todays special order on Cyprus. Thirteen years ago. on July 20. 1974. Turkey invaded the independent republic of Cyprus. 4.000 GreekCypriots lost their lives and 200.000 GreekCypriots lost their homes. their land. and became refugees during this illegal invasion. The whereabouts of over 1.600 GreekCypriots are still unknown. Today. 13 years later. Turkish occupation troops remain on Cyprus. In fact. Turkey has recently begun a military buildup on the island and continues to refuse to participate in negotiations in any meaningful way to resolve this situation. In spite of a direct appeal by the SecretaryGeneral of the United Nations.