[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 90 (Thursday, July 13, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1221]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          REPUBLIC OF TURKEY'S CONTRIBUTION TO THE KOREAN WAR

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETER T. KING

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 12, 2000

  Mr. KING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize not only the 
importance of our strategic relationship with the Republic of Turkey 
but their historic contribution in the Korean War. Almost 50 years ago, 
in October of 1950, the Turkish brigade consisting of 4,500 army troops 
arrived in Korea. By the time Turkey had completed its commitment, 
29,882 were rotated through the brigade, 717 were killed in action, and 
2246 were wounded. These figures, the highest casualty rate of the 
United Nations mission, demonstrated that Turkey's reputation was well 
deserved.
  The Turkish brigade's courage and contributions were repeatedly 
highlighted in the press at the time. For example, the battle of Kunuri 
was detailed in a TIME magazine article which stated ``The courageous 
battles of the Turkish Brigade have created a favorable effect on the 
whole United Nations Forces.'' Their courage was also referenced on 
Capitol Hill, with former Representative Claude Pepper opining that, 
``There is no one left who does not know that the Turks, our valuable 
allies, are hard warriors and that they have accomplished very great at 
the front.''
  Having become a member of NATO in 1952, Turkey also demonstrated its 
indisputable role in European security. Among all NATO allies, Turkey 
defended the longest border with the former Soviet Union, and carried a 
heavy responsibility in helping to contain, and ultimately defeat 
communism.
  After the end of the Cold War, Turkey seized the opportunity to help 
shape the peace in the region. One of the first countries to recognize 
the independence of new emerging democracies, Turkey actively sought to 
assist with their efforts to integrate into the international 
community. Turkey provided them with direct assistance in credit and 
goods, military cooperation agreements to assist in building their 
national defense structure, scholarships for students to study in 
Turkish universities, offering an alternate route for transportation 
and communication facilities, and legal technical assistance and know 
how.
  Turkey remains at the center of our energy security policy to develop 
the ``east-west'' access for the transport of both oil and natural gas 
from the Caspian region. This strategy would further shore up the 
economies of the countries involved, and encourage the development of 
democracy in the region.
  At the time of the Korean War, most strategic thinkers would probably 
have envisioned Turkey as playing an important role in the future of 
European security, but the scope and breadth of the relationship which 
developed has most likely surpassed even the greatest expectations. Our 
relationship with Turkey has developed into a strategic one which we 
should continue to develop and nurture.

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