[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 126 (Monday, September 12, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 12, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
               SALE OF KC-135A TANKER AIRCRAFT TO TURKEY

                                 ______


                          HON. LEE H. HAMILTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 12, 1994

  Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, Turkey is an important ally with which the 
United States shares long-standing political, economic and military 
ties.
  On June 14, the Committee on Foreign Affairs was notified, 
transmittal number 94-19, of the administration's intent to fulfill a 
request from the Government of Turkey to purchase 10 KC-135A tanker 
aircraft pursuant to section 516 of the Foreign Assistance Act and 
section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act. This notification 
represented the first United States sale of in-flight refueling 
capabilities to Turkey. This sale raised several important policy 
issues that merited further exploration beyond the information 
contained in a normal arms sale notification.
  On June 24, I wrote to the Secretary of State on this proposed sale. 
On July 18, I received a response from the Department of State.
  The text of the correspondence follows:


                                          Department of State,

                                    Washington, DC, July 18, 1994.
     Hon. Lee H. Hamilton,
     Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of 
         Representatives.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter of June 24 to 
     Secretary Christopher concerning the transfer of 10 excess 
     KC-135A tanker aircraft to the Government of Turkey (GOT). In 
     supporting this decision, the Administration carefully 
     examined its political and military consequences in great 
     detail.
       Turkey is a secular, democratic and pro-western country in 
     a region where U.S. strategic interests in Europe, the Middle 
     East and Central Asia converge. Most other nations in the 
     region are neither democratic nor pro-western. A major 
     supporter of the Coalition during the Gulf War, Turkey 
     continues to provide critical base access and support for 
     U.S. and UN humanitarian and sanctions-enforcement operations 
     vis-a-vis Iraq. The United States has a strong interest in 
     ensuring that Turkey's and NATO's defenses in this region are 
     strong.
       The provision of NATO-compatible tankers will enhance the 
     security of this important ally and will buttress U.S. and 
     Alliance capabilities. The provision of the tankers will 
     permit the Turkish Air Force to conduct combat air patrols 
     for extended periods of time to defend its southern and 
     eastern borders. These aircraft are based in the West and 
     currently can only operate in the south and east for periods 
     of 30 to 60 minutes. The tankers will save the Turkish Air 
     Force the expense of building new bases in the south and 
     east, where weather conditions often interfere with flight 
     operations and aircraft would be more vulnerable to Iraqi and 
     Iranian missile attack. Additionally, the tankers will allow 
     Turkey to participate more fully in NATO, UN, or other 
     international missions in the region which might be necessary 
     in the future.
       We have carefully weighed the effect this transfer could 
     have on the military balance in the Aegean and on Aegean 
     tensions. We concluded that the tankers do not present a 
     significant increase in the threat to Greece. If Turkey had 
     aggressive intentions toward Greece, it could cover Greek 
     territory effectively with its present air capability. We 
     informed the Greek government of the transfer and have 
     received no objection.
       We have informed the Government of Turkey that a number of 
     specific conditions would be included in the written transfer 
     agreement for the tankers signed by both sides. These 
     conditions are: 1) access to the tankers by the U.S. and NATO 
     in any NATO contingency; 2) no use of the tankers except in a 
     NATO contingency, self-defense, collective measures requested 
     by the United Nations, or other contingencies as agreed to by 
     the U.S.; and 3) upgrading of the tankers in conformity with 
     NATO standards.
       I hope this information is helpful to you. Please do not 
     hesitate to contact us again if we can be of any further 
     assistance.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Wendy R. Sherman
                          Assistant Secretary Legislative Affairs.
                                  ____

                                     Committee on Foreign Affairs,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                    Washington, DC, June 24, 1994.
     Hon. Warren Christopher,
     Secretary of State,
     Department of State, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chris: I write with regard to the notification of June 
     14, 1994, pursuant to section 36(b) of the Arms Export 
     Control Act (transmittal number 94-19), that the United 
     States is proposing to the Government of Turkey an arms sale 
     involving the rework, overhaul and modification of ten KC-
     135A tanker aircraft transferred as excess defense articles.
       There are several policy issues related to this sale that 
     merit further examination. In this regard, I would appreciate 
     your response to the following questions:
       Why is it in the U.S. national interest to proceed with 
     this sale at this time?
       What mission requirements will the sale of tanker aircraft 
     allow the Turkish Air Force to fulfill that it is unable to 
     fulfill today?
       What was the reaction of the Government of Greece to this 
     proposed sale?
       What, if any, conditions will the United States attach to 
     the use and deployment of these tanker aircraft?
       What, if any, restrictions will the Government of Turkey 
     agree to with regard to the use and deployment of these 
     tanker aircraft?
       I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter, and look 
     forward to your early reply.
       With best regards,
           Sincerely,
                                                  Lee H. Hamilton,
     Chairman.

                          ____________________