[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 144 (Wednesday, October 15, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H9387]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             TURKISH PARLIAMENT VOTE TO SEND TROOPS TO IRAQ

  (Mr. BEREUTER asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, this Member rises to commend the Turkish 
Grand National Assembly for its decision to approve the deployment of 
Turkish troops to Iraq to help restore security and stability there.
  Last week, the Turkish parliament voted by a nearly 3 to 1 ratio to 
authorize the government to send troops to Iraq. This was an important 
and politically courageous step by our fellow parliamentarians in 
Ankara, one that could help stabilize Iraq, while at the same time 
helping to repair Turkish-American relations, a strong and positive 
signal that the Turkish parliament values the Turkish-American alliance 
and that the vote last winter was an unintended anomaly in our 
relationship.
  This Member is optimistic that this vote marks a return to a normal 
pattern of cooperation that has marked Turkish-American relations. At 
the same time, we should recognize it was a courageous vote because 
many Turkish voters harbor an understandable concern about sending 
their soldiers on an operation abroad, especially to their neighbor. 
Yet our Turkish colleagues recognized that international security 
depends on the stabilization of Iraq, and they have agreed that Turkey 
should play a role in helping to rebuild its neighbors.
  Mr. Speaker, despite the concerns of some Iraqis, the Turkish 
parliament's decision yesterday is a positive step and I commend them 
for it.

                          ____________________