[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 055 (Monday, April 7, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E695-E696]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        EMERGENCY WARTIME SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2003

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 3, 2003

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill. (H.R. 1559) 
     making emergency wartime supplemental appropriations for the 
     fiscal year ending September 30, 2003, and for other 
     purposes:

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. I rise in opposition to the Cunningham 
amendment. I am acutely aware that many of my colleagues feel that it's 
``pay-back'' time for our ally, Turkey. But I believe that such a 
course would be unproductive and unwise. The relationships that exist 
between and among nations are, in many ways, as those which exist with 
our neighbors. There are times when we may take a course of action with 
which our friends will not agree; sometimes we may do something to 
anger our good neighbors and friends. But we don't run away from our 
friends of many years, or our neighbors who have been with us through 
thick and thin. Mr. Chairman, the relationships we have with our 
friends and neighbors are important and it is necessary that we act in 
ways to maintain these important relationships. Our former 
distinguished Secretary of State, George P. Shultz, has called this 
gardening. This diplomatic process is vitally important to us as a 
nation. Our relationship with Turkey falls within this category. 
America may be indispensable, but her powers are not without limits.
  Mr. Chairman, Turkey is an important strategic ally of the United 
States. During the last 50 years, Turkey has stood shoulder to shoulder 
with the United States in nearly every major conflict. From the Korean 
war to our involvement in Bosnia, Turkey has been by our side. On March 
1, Turkey demonstrated that she is a democracy, even while her actions 
did not please many of us in this body. While we may disagree with the 
outcome of the process, we must respect her democratically taken 
decision. Turkey is a predominantly Muslim country with a secular, 
democratic government. Turkey is a country that has one foot in the 
East and another in the West; since September 11, 2001, her importance 
to the United States has increased.
  There are a number of important foreign policy issues that join our 
two countries in a unique relationship. Turkey's long border with Iraq 
has obvious importance in the current conflict with Iraq. Turkey's role 
will be important also in the peace and rebuilding stages of Iraq. 
During the Bosnia campaign, Turkey demonstrated her expertise in civic 
action as she helped rebuild needed infrastructure in that country. 
This country is in a position to play a key role in our efforts to 
rebuild Iraq.
  Mr. Chairman, beyond the crises of the moment, there are other 
reasons that it's very important that we support this country. Turkey 
is with us in the war on terrorism. Turkey is playing a major role in 
Afghanistan, where it assumed command of the international peacekeeping 
force. Turkey is a key NATO member. Her geographic location provides 
regional security to a critical part of the alliance. Turkey is 
striving for European Union membership, and United States policymakers 
support that goal to anchor Turkey in the West. Turkey as a part of the 
European Union becomes an even stronger ally of the United States.
  The United States has encouraged the development of Turkey's ties to 
Israel since 1996. Turkey and Israel have concluded important arms and 
water deals, and their relationship, which is based on mutual self-
interest, has withstood differences over the years. It is important to 
note that other Muslim countries are now taking views toward Israel 
that are close to those of Turkey, who has led the way.

[[Page E696]]

  Mr. Chairman, while the issues highlighted above may not seem 
important at the moment, while we are in the midst of hot debate, let 
me reassure you, all my colleagues, that they remain very important. 
The Iraq crises will not be with us always. The issues that seem so 
distant and unimportant now will be in our face the minute the fighting 
in Iraq ends. Let us stand firm with our friend and ally Turkey as she 
has stood with the United States.

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