[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 39 (Thursday, March 11, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E400]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 CONTINUATION OF AID DENIAL FOR TURKEY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. JOHN EDWARD PORTER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 11, 1999

  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I want to express my support for the 
continuation of current U.S. Policy regarding economic and military 
assistance to the Government of Turkey.
  Over the past decade, I have worked tirelessly, as a member of the 
House Appropriations Committee to end the practice of providing scarce 
U.S. foreign assistance dollars to abusive governments around the 
world. Turkey is one example where sustained action by concerned 
Members of Congress has had an important impact. In 1995, despite a 
deplorable human rights record and consistently poor relations with its 
neighbors, Turkey was the third largest recipient of U.S. foreign 
assistance. Through the efforts of Congressman Andrews and many other 
concerned Members, we were able to end direct assistance to Turkey in 
fiscal year 1999. Today, I call upon Congress to maintain this policy 
as we begin working on the appropriations bills for the coming fiscal 
year.
  The U.S. State Department and numerous non-governmental organizations 
both in and outside Turkey, have compiled a thorough record of the 
serious human rights problems that persist in Turkey to this day. The 
international community has continuously expressed dismay with Turkey's 
refusal to withdraw troops from Cyprus, its total rejection of any 
political solution to the Kurdish problem, and its ongoing mistreatment 
of the Kurds and other minority groups. Unfortunately, Turkey has done 
little to address these problems or move any closer to the standards of 
behavior that are expected of a country which desires a place in Europe 
and in the community of democratic nations.
  I regret that the Turkish government has refused to accept 
responsibility for or take steps to correct the problems that hold 
Turkey back from its potential positive role in the region and the 
world. Until such time as that government does make a genuine effort to 
address these serious issues, the U.S. Congress must continue to send a 
strong message by refusing to permit U.S. taxpayer funds to be 
squandered on an abusive government that refuses to conform itself to 
the basic international standards that we hold dear. I do not always 
agree with the policies of the Administration when it comes to Turkey, 
but I am pleased to note that there was not a request for economic or 
military assistance for turkey in the President's budget for Fiscal 
Year 2000. I am pleased that the Administration has finally come around 
to the view shared by a majority of the Members of the House of 
Representatives on this issue, and I am hopeful that this signals a new 
willingness on the part of the Executive Branch to work with Members on 
a more constructive approach to improving Turkey's human rights 
practices.

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