[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 358 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 358

  Expressing the importance of friendship and cooperation between the 
                       United States and Turkey.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            October 29, 2007

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

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing the importance of friendship and cooperation between the 
                       United States and Turkey.

Whereas the United States and Turkey share common ideals and a clear vision for 
        the 21st century, in which freedom and democracy are the foundation of 
        peace, prosperity, and security;
Whereas Turkey is a strong example of a predominantly Muslim country with a true 
        representative democratic government;
Whereas for more than 50 years a strategic partnership has existed between the 
        United States and Turkey, both bilaterally and through the North 
        Atlantic Treaty Organization, which has been of enormous political, 
        economic, cultural, and strategic benefit to both countries;
Whereas the Government of Turkey has demonstrated its opposition to terrorism 
        throughout the world, and has called for the international community to 
        unite against this threat;
Whereas Turkey maintains an important bilateral relationship with Israel and 
        seeks to play a constructive role in Middle East peace negotiations;
Whereas Operation Enduring Freedom entered its 6th year on October 7th, 2007;
Whereas Turkey commanded the International Security Assistance Force in 
        Afghanistan twice, from July 2002 to January 2003, and from February 
        2005 to August 2005;
Whereas Turkey has provided humanitarian and medical assistance in Afghanistan 
        and in Iraq;
Whereas the Government of Turkey has made its base in Incirlik available for 
        United States missions in Iraq and Afghanistan;
Whereas Secretary of Defense Robert Gates credits United States air bases in 
        Turkey with handling 70 percent of all air cargo deployed into Iraq;
Whereas 95 percent of the Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protective vehicles (MRAPs) 
        deployed into Iraq transit through air bases in Turkey;
Whereas MRAPs protect coalition forces from improvised explosive devices and 
        roadside bombs;
Whereas the people of Turkey have been victims of terrorist attacks by Al-Qaeda 
        on November 15, 2003, and November 20, 2003;
Whereas the United States supports Turkey's bid for membership in the European 
        Union; and
Whereas the Secretary of State has listed the Kurdistan Workers' Party, which 
        has taken up arms against Turkey since its founding, as a Foreign 
        Terrorist Organization in accordance with section 219 of the Immigration 
        and Nationality Act, as amended: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) reiterates its strong support for the strategic 
        alliance between the United States and Turkey;
            (2) urges Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey to 
        communicate the continuing support of the Senate and of the 
        people of the United States to the people of Turkey;
            (3) condemns the violent attacks conducted by the Kurdistan 
        Workers' Party over the last 2 decades;
            (4) urges Kurdish leaders in Iraq to deny safe harbor for 
        terrorists and to recognize bilateral agreements between Iraq 
        and Turkey for cooperation against terrorism;
            (5) encourages the Government of Turkey and the Government 
        of Iraq to continue to work together to end the threat of 
        terrorism; and
            (6) 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 July 2002 
                to January 2003, and from February 2005 to August 2005;
                    (B) providing humanitarian and medical assistance 
                in Afghanistan and in Iraq;
                    (C) their willingness to contribute to 
                international peace, stability, and prosperity, 
                especially in the greater Middle East region; and
                    (D) their continued discussions with officials in 
                the United States and Iraq regarding constructive 
                stabilization efforts in northern Iraq.
                                 <all>