07/20/12 - Congressmen Pallone and Royce Statement Congratulating Nagorno Karabakh on their Democratic Presidential Elections

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congressman Frank Pallone Jr. (NJ-06) and Congressman Ed Royce (CA-40) today congratulated the people of Nagorno Karabakh on the peaceful exercise of democracy through the regular presidential elections which occurred on July 19, 2012. The elections represented another step in the bolstering of the democratic process that has been established in Nagrono Karabakh:

Rep. Royce, Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, said, 'I commend the people of Nagorno-Karabakh for holding peaceful and honest elections. Throughout the years we have seen a trend of its electoral system working in proper fashion and the most recent election maintains that precedent. Voting embodies a functioning democracy, I applaud all in Nagorno-Karabakh for putting democracy into action.'

Rep. Pallone said, 'As the Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, I wish to extend our congratulations to the Nagorno Karabakh Republic on their exercise of democratic presidential elections. The presidential elections held on July 19, 2012 are another important day in the history of independence and democratic freedom for the people of Artskh. It is heartening to see their continued dedication to peaceful democracy.'

'On September 2, 1991 the Nagorno Karabakh Republic declared the formation of an independent, democratic republic. On December 10, 1991 a referendum on the independence of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic took place and was overwhelmingly approved. I am pleased the Republic continues to hold regular parliamentary and presidential elections that have previously been viewed as free and fair by international observers.'

'These elections represent the strength of the democratic process in the Nagorno Karabakh Republic and are a testament to the commitment of the people in Artsakh to the Republic?s sovereignty. As Co-Chair of the Congressional Armenian Issues Caucus I am committed to promoting the democratic independence of Nagorno Karabakh and will continue to support the rightful exercise of self-determination which contributes to regional stability and development.'

07/19/12 - Remarks offered on the House floor on Cyprus - The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) for 5 minutes.

Mr. Speaker, July 20 marks the 38th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of the island of Cyprus . That invasion claimed the lives of about 5,000 Cypriots. In the neighborhood of 200,000 people were forcibly expelled from their homes during that time period. To put that in perspective, that was one-third of the population of the country. If this were to happen in the United States, it would be the equivalent of about 100,000 people becoming refugees in their own land.

As we stand here today, that occupation continues. There are over 30,000 Turkish troops on the island. They are stationed on over one-third of Cyprus . Sadly, that occupied area of this beautiful land is one of the most militarized areas in the world. I have seen this on both sides of that divide. It is truly tragic that despite the wishes of Cypriots on both sides of that line that this cannot be resolved. And the Cyprus -Turkey issue, unlike many others, is one that the international community has been able to agree on.

There have been 75 resolutions adopted in the Security Council--more than 13 by the General Assembly--calling for the return of the refugees to their homes and to their properties and for the withdrawal of those Turkish troops from Cyprus.

President Demetris Christofias has followed through on his promise to make the solution of that problem his top priority. I met with him when I was in Nicosia 3 years ago, and his commitment to finding a solution greatly impressed me in that he had reached out to Turkish Cypriots.

I had my own opportunity, when I was in northern Cyprus , to talk to Turkish Cypriots, and they confirmed that their desire was to find a resolution to this problem, to find a way to have Turkish troops leave the island. And there's certainly no lack of good will, I think, in terms of the Cypriot community.

So, since 2008, there have been these full-fledged negotiations with leaders of the Turkish Cypriot community. I think that the problem here is that that effort needs a reliable partner, a reasonable partner, and I question whether Turkey is listening in that process. From everything I've seen, they're not listening yet.

I would point out that Cyprus and the United States share a deep and abiding commitment to upholding the ideals of freedom, democracy, justice, human rights, and the international rule of law. After the Lebanon crisis in 2006, if you'll recall, Cyprus served as the principal transit location for people evacuating Lebanon, including our U.S. citizens. I had constituents that went through Cyprus at that time. In the `83 Beirut barracks bombing, it was Cyprus that provided the staging ground for the U.S. evacuation and rescue efforts after that bombing.

But I point out also that since the discovery of gas reserves in the eastern Mediterranean, the U.S. has advocated including revenue sharing from energy resources in those Cyprus settlement talks, urging that they be shared with the Cypriot community on both sides of that line.

It's important to note that there are concrete efforts underway by the heads of the respective communities to reunify. Greek and Turkish Cypriots, alike, want to see that solution. Again, in my view, what stands in the way here is Turkey at the present time, and I wish they would reconsider their position.

You can see the extent to which Cyprus is willing to compromise with these newly discovered energy resources. Greek Cypriot leaders are willing, in principle, to share the benefits of future gas production with Turkish Cypriots. Their only request is that revenues not be shared with those 30,000-plus Turkish soldiers on the island, and that's still not good enough for Turkey.

You know, Mr. Speaker, 38 years of occupation, needless militarization in this part of the world, this divide should have ended long, long ago. There is still time to right this wrong. I hope Turkey reconsiders.

07/21/11 - Statement submitted for the Congressional Record on Cyprus - Mr. Speaker, today marks the 37th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus . The 1974 invasion claimed the lives of approximately 5,000 Greek Cypriots, while 200,000 were forcefully displaced from their homes. This is a dark chapter not only for Hellenes, but for all of Europe.

Thirty-seven years later, 43,000 Turkish soldiers still occupy over 35 percent of Cyprus illegally. This occupied area is one of the most militarized areas in the world, despite the fact that Turkish and Greek Cypriots live in relative harmony.

An agreement for a bi-communal governance and power sharing between Greek and Turkish Cypriots would not only serve the best interests for all of Cyprus , but it would also serve the U.S. in promoting peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Cyprus has supported the U.S. in the efforts to counter terrorist-related activities and threats to peace and security. During the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq Cyprus has provided over-flight and landing rights to the United States aircraft and port access for U.S. ships. In Beirut barracks bombing in 1983 Cyprus provided the staging ground for the U.S. evacuation and rescue efforts. In July-August 2006, Cyprus served as the principal transit location for people evacuating Lebanon.

Cyprus shares the United States' deep and abiding commitment to upholding the ideals of freedom, democracy, justice, human rights, and the international rule of law, making the unification of Cyprus important. History shows us that Cyprus is a reliable partner to the U.S.

I've met with Cypriot President Demetrius Christofias and his dedication to reunifying Cyprus is commendable, and continues to be his top priority. If only he could be met halfway by Turkey, Cyprus could flourish faster in this global economy with a unifying identity and single sovereignty.

06/11 - Royce quote after HFAC passed Bilirakis' Halki resolution by unanimous consent: ''Turkey is the only country not to recognize the Ecumenical Patriarch. Unless Turkey reverses course, the Patriarch will disappear in the foreseeable future. As the spiritual beacon to millions of Orthodox Christians, this is something we cannot accept.
'Turkey is trying to freeze out the church. Without this seminary, the church can?t train new priests, potential new patriarchs. As some have said, it?s as if Rome shut down the College of Cardinals.
'For the sake of 300 million Orthodox Christian?s around the world who look to the Ecumenical Patriarch for spiritual guidance, we cannot let the Turkish government destroy this vital institution.'