[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 65 Introduced in House (IH)]






109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 65

 Commending the Republic of Turkey for assuming the leadership of the 
  International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan and for its 
           ongoing contribution to the war against terrorism.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 15, 2005

Mr. Whitfield (for himself, Mr. Wexler, and Ms. Granger) submitted the 
following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
                        International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
 Commending the Republic of Turkey for assuming the leadership of the 
  International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan and for its 
           ongoing contribution to the war against terrorism.

Whereas the International Security Assistance Force (``ISAF'') was established 
        in December 2001, following the overflow of the Taliban-led regime in 
        Afghanistan;
Whereas the ISAF assists the government of Afghanistan, known as the Afghan 
        Transitional Authority, in maintaining an environment of peace and 
        stability in order that free and fair elections can be held in 
        Afghanistan, the rule of law can be established, and the physical and 
        institutional infrastructure of the country can be rebuilt;
Whereas the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (``NATO'') assumed responsibility 
        for the command and coordination of ISAF activities in August 2003, the 
        first NATO mission ever to take place outside the European and North 
        Atlantic theaters;
Whereas ISAF currently numbers 8,000 military troops from 47 nations, including 
        from both NATO members and non-NATO countries;
Whereas a sizable contingent from the Republic of Turkey has served the ISAF 
        continuously since its inception in December 2001, and the equipment 
        provided for the ISAF by Turkey during such period has included three 
        UH-60 Black Hawk general purpose helicopters;
Whereas Major General Hilmi Akin Zorlu of Turkey exercised command of ISAF from 
        June 2002 until February 2003;
Whereas in February 2005, Turkey has again taken command of the ISAF, and will 
        serve through August 2005, during which time two-thirds of the ISAF 
        headquarters staff, including staff from ISAF's Kabul Multinational 
        Brigade, will be comprised of Turkish officers;
Whereas Turkey has provided training for both the Afghan National Army (``ANA'') 
        and Afghanistan's civilian police force and has donated uniforms and 
        equipment to the National Guard Battalion of the ANA;
Whereas a former Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs and Speaker of its 
        Parliament, Hikmet Cetin, serves as the NATO Senior Civilian 
        Representative in Afghanistan; and
Whereas Turkey has undertaken a number of reconstruction projects in Afghanistan 
        in the fields of education, agriculture, and health care, and has been 
        an active participant in international efforts to rebuild Afghanistan: 
        Now, therefore be it:
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),  
That the Congress--
            (1) commends the the Republic of Turkey for assuming the 
        leadership of the International Security Assistance Force in 
        Afghanistan; and
            (2) thanks the Republic of Turkey for its ongoing 
        contributions to the stabilization of Afghanistan, an essential 
        element in the war against terrorism.
                                 <all>