[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 273 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]







108th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 273

 Condemning the terrorist attacks in Istanbul, Turkey, on November 15 
and 20, 2003, expressing condolences to the families of the individuals 
   murdered in the attacks, expressing sympathies to the individuals 
injured in the attacks, and expressing solidarity with the Republic of 
     Turkey and the United Kingdom in the fight against terrorism.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           November 24, 2003

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

                           November 25, 2003

             Committee discharged; considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Condemning the terrorist attacks in Istanbul, Turkey, on November 15 
and 20, 2003, expressing condolences to the families of the individuals 
   murdered in the attacks, expressing sympathies to the individuals 
injured in the attacks, and expressing solidarity with the Republic of 
     Turkey and the United Kingdom in the fight against terrorism.

Whereas, in Istanbul, Turkey, on November 15, 2003, two explosions set off 
        minutes apart during Sabbath morning services devastated Neve Shalom, 
        the largest synagogue in the city, and the Beth Israel synagogue, about 
        3 miles away from Neve Shalom;
Whereas the casualties of more than 20 people killed and more than 300 people 
        wounded in the bombing attacks on the synagogues included both Muslims 
        and Jews;
Whereas, on November 20, 2003, two bombs exploded in Istanbul at the Consulate 
        of the United Kingdom and the HSBC Bank;
Whereas the casualties of more than 25 people killed and 450 people wounded in 
        the November 20, 2003, bombing attacks included Muslims and Christians, 
        and Turks, British diplomats, and visitors to the Republic of Turkey;
Whereas troops of the United Kingdom are part of the United States-led coalition 
        that liberated Iraq from the regime of Saddam Hussein and are now 
        present in Iraq under the auspices of the United Nations Security 
        Council;
Whereas the acts of murder committed on November 15 and 20, 2003, in Istanbul, 
        Turkey, were cowardly and brutal manifestations of international 
        terrorism;
Whereas the Government of Turkey immediately condemned the terrorist attacks in 
        the strongest possible terms and has vowed to bring the perpetrators to 
        justice at all costs;
Whereas the United States, the United Kingdom, and Turkey equally abhor and 
        denounce these hateful, repugnant, and loathsome acts of terrorism;
Whereas, in light of the escalation of anti-Semitic activities, the safety and 
        security of Jewish people throughout the world is a matter of serious 
        concern;
Whereas, since Turkey cherishes its traditions of hospitality and religious 
        tolerance, and in particular its history of more than 500 years of good 
        relations between Jews and Muslims, the attacks on synagogues, consular 
        premises, and commercial buildings came as a special shock to the people 
        of Turkey and to their friends throughout the world;
Whereas the United States and Turkey are allied by shared values and a common 
        interest in building a stable, peaceful, and prosperous world;
Whereas Turkey, a predominantly Muslim nation with a secular government, has 
        close relations with Israel and is also the only predominantly Muslim 
        member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization; and
Whereas the acts of murder committed on November 15 and 20, 2003, demonstrate 
        again that terrorism respects neither boundaries nor borders: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) condemns in the strongest possible terms the terrorist 
        attacks in Istanbul, Turkey, on November 15 and 20, 2003;
            (2) expresses its condolences to the families of the 
        individuals murdered in the terrorist attacks, expresses its 
        sympathies to the individuals injured in the attacks, and 
        conveys its hope for the rapid and complete recovery of all 
        such injured individuals;
            (3) expresses its condolences to the people and the 
        governments of the Republic of Turkey and the United Kingdom 
        over the losses they suffered in these attacks; and
            (4) expresses its solidarity with the United Kingdom, 
        Turkey, and all other countries that stand united against 
        terrorism and work together to bring to justice the 
        perpetrators of these and other terrorist attacks.
                                 <all>