[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 198 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]







106th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 198

    Expressing sympathy for those killed and injured in the recent 
 earthquakes in Turkey and Greece and commending Turkey and Greece for 
their recent efforts in opening a national dialogue and taking steps to 
                      further bilateral relations.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            October 7, 1999

  Ms. Snowe (for herself, Mr. Helms, Mr. Sarbanes, Mr. Biden, and Mr. 
  Byrd) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and 
                               agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
    Expressing sympathy for those killed and injured in the recent 
 earthquakes in Turkey and Greece and commending Turkey and Greece for 
their recent efforts in opening a national dialogue and taking steps to 
                      further bilateral relations.

Whereas in the wake of the tragic earthquakes which struck Turkey on August 17, 
        1999, leaving up to 16,000 dead, 24,000 injured, and 100,000 homeless, 
        and Greece on September 7, 1999, killing 143, injuring 1,600, and 
        leaving 16,000 homeless, an improvement of relations between Turkey and 
        Greece has occurred;
Whereas within hours of the earthquake hitting Turkey, Greece sent rescue teams, 
        doctors, firemen, and emergency supplies to Turkey;
Whereas immediately after the earthquake struck Greece, Turkey, already dealing 
        with its own devastation, sent rescue personnel to Greece;
Whereas in July, senior foreign ministry officials of Greece and Turkey held 
        talks, the first talks at this level since 1994, to discuss bilateral 
        cooperation in the fields of tourism, the environment, trade, and the 
        economy as well as cooperation in combating organized crime, illegal 
        immigration, drug-trafficking, and terrorism;
Whereas in September 1999, a second round of talks between senior foreign 
        ministry officials of Greece and Turkey were held as a follow-up to the 
        July meeting, and a third round has been planned for October 1999;
Whereas this spirit of cooperation has led to a warming of relations and 
        confidence building measures, including--
            (1) a naval vessel of Greece calling at a port of Turkey for the 
        first time in more than a century;
            (2) Greek and Turkish news commentators agreeing to publish their 
        columns in each other's newspapers;
            (3) Greece indicating that it is prepared to accept the candidacy of 
        Turkey for membership in the European Union as long as Turkey meets all 
        criteria for membership in the Union; and
            (4) Turkey and Greece praising the other for earthquake assistance; 
        and
Whereas the desire to further cultivate relations between Turkey and Greece has 
        created an atmosphere of hope: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) expresses sympathy for those killed and injured in the 
        recent earthquakes in Greece and Turkey;
            (2) commends, encourages, and supports recent efforts by 
        Greece and Turkey to improve bilateral relations between those 
        countries; and
            (3) reiterates the importance of promoting positive 
        bilateral relations between Greece and Turkey, which are of 
        paramount interest to the United States.
                                 <all>