[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 11] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 16111-16112] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]TRIBUTE TO THE TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE ______ HON. ED WHITFIELD of kentucky in the house of representatives Wednesday, July 23, 2008 Mr. WHITFIELD of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, the meeting of the two Cypriot leaders on March 21, May 23, and July 1, 2008 and the agreement reached by them to launch full-fledged negotiations, which will aim to find a comprehensive settlement to the longstanding Cyprus problem, have been welcomed by the international community, including the United States, the European Union, and others. The meetings raised hopes among the international community that a mutually acceptable settlement would now be more seriously sought by the Greek Cypriot side, whose policy over the years had been to delay the start of full-fledged negotiations. On July 20th, the Turkish Cypriots commemorate the 34th anniversary of the Turkish peace operation, which prevented the attempt by the Greek Cypriots to annex the island to Greece. Although peace prevails in Cyprus today, the social, economic, and political development of the Turkish Cypriots have been restricted for more than 3 decades. In order to promote the spirit of goodwill generated during the recent meetings, it is my sincere hope that this positive stance demonstrated by the two Cypriot leaders will be supported by the United States government. [[Page 16112]] The Turkish Cypriots have demonstrated their willingness to work collaboratively, by voting in favor of the Annan Plan, which presumed great sacrifices for the Turkish Cypriots, because nearly a quarter of their territory would have been ceded to the Greek Cypriot side, and almost a quarter of the Turkish Cypriot population would have been dislocated, some for the second, third, and even fourth time. Despite the potential impact of the Annan Plan, 65 percent of Turkish Cypriots voted in favor of the historic referenda of April 24, 2004, while 76 percent of Greek Cypriots voted against it. The Turkish Cypriot people, in their continued commitment to achieve a just and lasting settlement that respects the political equality of these two groups on the island are still waiting for the international community to honor the promises it made to them. Madam Speaker, I want to recognize the unwavering commitment of the Turkish Cypriot people to reunify the island, and I encourage the United States government to lend its support to lifting of the isolation that presently exists. ____________________