Calling on Turkish-Occupied Cyprus to Protect Religious Artifacts

Floor Speech

* Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I have serious concerns regarding H. Res. 1631 which was considered on the House Floor on Tuesday, September 28.

* While the resolution proports to raise awareness regarding the smuggling of Cypriot religious and cultural artifacts, it only addresses cases related to Northern Cyprus and ignores the fact that it is a problem on both sides of the island, and should be addressed by both sides in addition to the international community.

* H. Res. 1631 overlooks the destruction of over 100 mosques, shrines, mausoleums and other valuable Ottoman and other cultural treasures in the 103 towns and villages which the Turkish Cypriots were forced to abandon in the southern part of the island.

* There is also no mention of the vast sums spent by Turkish Cypriots to restore 15 Orthodox Churches over the last three years--each of which has been completed.

* In order to address this problem, Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders established a Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage in May 2008 in conjunction with talks to settle the Cyprus issue. This Committee was given an important mandate for the protection of the rich cultural heritage of the island. It aims at preserving secular and religious cultural heritage monuments, which is an integral part of the ongoing process of improving relations between Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots.

* Had Greek Cypriots accepted the UN peace plan in the simultaneous referenda in April 2004, these issues would have been well on the way to being resolved, rather than discussed in third country legislatures.

* Despite the rejection of the so called Annan Plan in 2004, direct negotiations between the two leaders on the island have continued in pursuit of a comprehensive solution to the conflict. As the party that has supported the UN peace plan along with the international community in 2004, the Turkish Cypriots continue to demonstrate their commitment to a comprehensive settlement based on the political equality of the two sides. Both sides need the support and encouragement of the United States and other members of the international community in order to bridge their differences and reach a mutually agreed upon settlement. The Congress should engage in activities that aim to bring the two sides together, not inflame passions. That is why I believe it was ill advised for the Congress to adopt this resolution.

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