U.S., Turkey stand in the way of peace on Cyprus

Excellent column in The Washington Times by Kathryn Cameron Porter, president of the Leadership Council for Human Rights, about the 34-year occupation of Cyprus by Turkey and the continued violations of human rights since the invasion.

From Porter's op-ed:

How can the United States stand for human rights and allow cultural genocide to continue in Cyprus unabated? How can our government view Turkey as a true friend and partner until it withdraws its troops and offers meaningful remediation for the immense harm done to Cyprus since 1974? On this solemn commemoration, it is not enough simply to ask these tough questions of our government. We must demand its strong support for the genuine reunification of Cyprus and its people within a bicommunal, bizonal federation with a single sovereignty, citizenship, and international personality, and the withdrawal of all Turkish occupation troops from the island. Only then will human rights be respected and vigorously protected, and a national healing process can finally begin.

Read the full column, "Cyprus solution, please," at the newspaper's Web site.