[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 772 Introduced in House (IH)]

112th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 772

   Condemning the Kurdistan Workers' Party and supporting a peaceful 
                         dialogue with Turkey.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             August 2, 2012

 Mr. Whitfield (for himself and Mr. Hastings of Florida) submitted the 
 following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign 
                                Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Condemning the Kurdistan Workers' Party and supporting a peaceful 
                         dialogue with Turkey.

Whereas since 1984, the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has waged a campaign of 
        violence and terrorism against the people and Government of Turkey;
Whereas it is estimated that at least 30,000 people have been killed in PKK-
        associated violence since 1984;
Whereas the United States Government designated the PKK as a foreign terrorist 
        organization in 1997, as a specially designated global terrorist in 
        2001, and a significant foreign narcotics trafficker in 2008;
Whereas in 2004, the Council of the European Union added the PKK to its list of 
        terrorist organizations;
Whereas in October 2007, President George W. Bush characterized the PKK as a 
        ``common enemy'' of the United States and Turkey, saying, ``[the PKK] is 
        an enemy to Turkey, it's an enemy to Iraq, it's an enemy to people who 
        want to live in peace.'';
Whereas in April 2009, President Barack Obama stated that, ``Iraq, Turkey, and 
        the United States face a common threat from terrorism . . . That 
        includes the PKK'';
Whereas, on April 20, 2012, Prime Minister Erdogan stated, ``The stance of the 
        Turkish state is clear--once [the PKK] lay down their arms, it is [our 
        stance] to completely stop military operations'';
Whereas in 1952, Turkey became a member of the North Atlantic Treaty 
        Organization (NATO);
Whereas the armed forces of Turkey and the United States have served together as 
        allies during the Korean War, in Kosovo, in Afghanistan, and in the 2011 
        NATO intervention in Libya, commonly known as Operation Unified 
        Protector;
Whereas President George W. Bush stated, ``[Turkey's] success is vital to a 
        future of progress and peace in Europe and in the broader Middle East--
        and the Republic of Turkey can depend on the support and friendship of 
        the United States''; and
Whereas President Barack Obama said, ``Turkey is a critical ally. Turkey is an 
        important part of Europe. And Turkey and the United States must stand 
        together, and work together, to overcome the challenges of our time'': 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) condemns the continued campaign of terrorism by the 
        Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and expresses solidarity with 
        the victims of PKK violence;
            (2) reaffirms that the PKK is a common enemy of the United 
        States and Turkey;
            (3) urges the PKK to lay down its arms and renounce 
        violence; and
            (4) encourages ongoing cooperation between the United 
        States Government and the Government of Turkey to eliminate or 
        apprehend violent elements of the PKK.
                                 <all>