I want to express my strong support as cosponsor for this resolution and commend the gentleman from New York and the gentleman from Indiana for their leadership in bringing it before the House. On Sunday we commemorated the unhappy anniversary and tragic circumstances of 23 years of division on the island of Cyprus. which has been artificially divided following an invasion by Turkish troops on July 20. 1974. On that date. over 200.000 Greek Cypriots became refugees in their own country and to this date are denied return to their homes. Today. a full 37 percent of the island remains under occupation by Turkish troops which in defiance of United Nations resolutions. now number 35.000. making Cyprus one of the most militarized places in the world. After 23 years. the people of Cyprus in both communities deserve a solution which will reunite the island. its communities. and its people.
Keywords matched
refugees