[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 87 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







108th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. CON. RES. 87

      Welcoming the Prime Minister of Turkey to the United States.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            January 28, 2004

    Mr. Smith (for himself, Mr. Biden, and Mr. Allen) submitted the 
following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
                           Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
      Welcoming the Prime Minister of Turkey to the United States.

Whereas for more than 50 years a strategic partnership has existed between the 
        United States and Turkey that has been of enormous political, economic, 
        cultural, and strategic benefit to both countries;
Whereas the United States and Turkey share common ideals and a clear vision for 
        the 21st century, where freedom and democracy are the foundations for 
        peace, prosperity, and progress;
Whereas the Government of Turkey has demonstrated its unequivocal support for 
        the war against terrorism throughout the world, and has called for the 
        international community to unite against this threat;
Whereas Turkey commanded the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in 
        Afghanistan from June 2002 to February 2003 and provided humanitarian 
        and medical assistance in Afghanistan and in Iraq;
Whereas in October 2003 Turkey became the first predominantly Muslim state to 
        authorize sending peacekeepers to Iraq when the Turkish Parliament voted 
        to approve a deployment of 10,000 troops;
Whereas the people of Turkey also have been victims of international terrorist 
        attacks on November 15, 2003, and November 20, 2003;
Whereas the Government of Turkey immediately condemned the terrorist attacks in 
        the strongest possible terms, detained the perpetrators, and quickly 
        brought them to justice;
Whereas the terrorist attacks in Turkey brought the United States and Turkey 
        closer together, in spite of the terrorists' motive of driving the two 
        countries apart;
Whereas the Government of Turkey has made its bases in Incirlik available as a 
        transit point for United States troops returning to the United States 
        from Iraq;
Whereas Prime Minister Erdogan supports a renewed effort by the United Nations 
        to reunify the divided country of Cyprus;
Whereas the United States supports Turkey's bid for membership in the European 
        Union;
Whereas Turkey and Israel, the only democracies in the Middle East, established 
        diplomatic relations in 1949, and have a multi-faceted and thriving 
        relationship; and
Whereas Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan brings a strong message from the Turkish 
        people that Turkey will continue to support the United States campaign 
        against international terrorism as well as United States efforts to 
        rebuild and bring democracy and stability to Afghanistan and Iraq: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) offers its warmest welcome to Prime Minister Recep 
        Tayyip Erdogan upon his visit to the United States from January 
        26 through 31, 2004;
            (2) asks Prime Minister Erdogan to communicate the 
        continuing support of Congress and of the people of the United 
        States to the people of Turkey;
            (3) recognizes that the visit of Prime Minister Erdogan to 
        the United States is a significant step toward broadening and 
        deepening the strategic partnership, friendship and cooperation 
        between the United States and Turkey;
            (4) acknowledges Prime Minister Erdogan's support for 
        renewed negotiations in Cyprus; and
            (5) thanks Prime Minister Erdogan and the people and 
        government of Turkey for--
                    (A) assuming command of the International Security 
                Assistance Force in Kabul, Afghanistan from June 2002 
                to February 2003;
                    (B) providing humanitarian and medical assistance 
                in Afghanistan and in Iraq; and
                    (C) their willingness to contribute to 
                international peace, stability, and prosperity, 
                especially in the greater Middle East region.
                                 <all>