[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 34 (Thursday, March 4, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E347]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      ELIMINATION OF AID TO TURKEY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT E. ANDREWS

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 4, 1999

  Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud the 
action of the 105th Congress to withhold all aid for Turkey in the 1999 
appropriations bills.
  For the past 25 years, Turkey has brutally oppressed the people of 
Cyprus and committed atrocious human rights violations. Despite the 
condemnation of the international community, Turkey has refused to 
withdraw its troops from Cyprus or improve its record on human rights. 
The United States must take the lead in resolving this conflict in the 
Mediterranean. Not only is it our moral obligation to oppose unjust 
oppression and brutal human rights violations, but a lasting resolution 
to the Cyprus problem would also improve relations between Greece and 
Turkey, strengthen the peace and stability of the Eastern Mediterranean 
region, and serve important United States interests.
  I have been delighted to work with Congressman John Edward Porter, a 
key member of the House Appropriations Committee and a great leader on 
these issues. Congressman Porter and I introduced H.R. 388 and H.R. 
1361 in the 105th Congress to address the situation in Cyprus. These 
bills proposed to withhold all American military and economic 
assistance to Turkey unless Turkey peacefully resolved the conflict 
with Cyprus and halted all human rights violations. I am very pleased 
that Congressman Porter and I were able to achieve our goal when these 
funds were withheld in 1999 appropriations. I join my colleague in 
urging this Congress and the President to continue to deny aid to 
Turkey until these diplomatic and human rights requirements are met.

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