[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 170 (Friday, November 21, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H12133-H12137]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONDEMNING TERRORIST ATTACKS IN ISTANBUL, TURKEY, ON NOVEMBER 15, 2003

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 453) condemning the terrorist 
attacks in Istanbul, Turkey, on November 15, 2003, expressing 
condolences to the families of the individuals murdered and expressing 
sympathies to the individuals injured in the terrorist attacks, and 
standing in solidarity with Turkey in the fight against terrorism, as 
amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:
       Whereas in Istanbul, Turkey, on November 15, 2003, two 
     explosions, set off minutes apart during Sabbath morning 
     services, devastated Neve Shalom, the city's largest 
     synagogue, and the Beth Israel Synagogue, about three miles 
     away;
       Whereas more than 20 people, both Muslims and Jews, were 
     killed, and more than 300 people, both Muslims and Jews, were 
     wounded, in the bombing attacks on the synagogues;
       Whereas on November 20, 2003, two bombs exploded at the 
     Consulate of the United Kingdom in Istanbul and at the HSBC 
     Bank;
       Whereas among the more than 25 killed and 450 wounded in 
     the November 20 bombing attacks on the consulate general and 
     commercial buildings were Muslims and Christians--Turks, 
     British diplomats, and visitors to the Turkish Republic;
       Whereas the United Kingdom is an ally of the United States 
     and Turkey in the global war on terrorism;
       Whereas the acts of murder committed on November 15 and 20, 
     2003, in Istanbul, Turkey, were cowardly and brutal 
     manifestations of international terrorism;
       Whereas the Government of Turkey immediately condemned the 
     terrorist attacks in the strongest possible terms and has 
     vowed to bring the perpetrators to just at all costs;
       Whereas the United States, the United Kingdom, and Turkey 
     equally abhor and denounce these hateful, repugnant, and 
     loathsome acts of terrorism;
       Whereas with anti-Semitic activities escalating the safety 
     and security of Jewish people throughout the world is a 
     matter of serious concern;
       Whereas since Turkey cherishes its traditions of 
     hospitality and religious tolerance and in particular its 
     history of more than five hundred years of good Jewish-Muslim 
     relations, the attacks on synagogues and consular premises 
     came as a special shock to the Turkish people and to their 
     friends throughout the world;
       Whereas the United States and turkey are allied by shared 
     values and a common interest in building a stable, peaceful, 
     and prosperous world;
       Whereas Turkey, a predominantly Muslim nation with a 
     secular government, has close relations with Israel and is 
     also the only predominantly Muslim member of the North 
     Atlantic Treaty Organization; and
       Whereas as the acts of murder committed on November 15 and 
     20, 2003 show again that terrorism respects neither 
     boundaries nor borders:
       Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of 
     Representatives
       (1) condemns in the strongest possible terms the terrorist 
     attacks in Istanbul, Turkey, on November 15 and 20, 2003;
       (2) expresses its condolences to the families of the 
     individuals murdered in the terrorist attacks, expresses its 
     sympathies to the individuals injured in the attacks, and 
     conveys its hope for the rapid and complete recovery of all 
     such injured individuals;
       (3) expresses its condolences to the people and government 
     of the Turkish Republic and of the United Kingdom over the 
     losses they have suffered; and
       (4) expresses its solidarity with the United Kingdom, the 
     Turkish republic, and all other countries which stand united 
     against terrorism and which work together to bring to justice 
     the perpetrators of these and other terrorist attacks.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Smith) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith).


                             General Leave

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and 
extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on the 
resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New Jersey?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Madam Speaker, the resolution before us condemns the terrorist 
attacks in Istanbul last Saturday as well as yesterday morning. I want 
to thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Hastings), my friend, for 
proffering this resolution and for the prompt consideration that is 
being given to it by our leadership in scheduling it very quickly 
before the body today.
  This resolution conveys our deepest and heartfelt sympathy to the 
victims and their families and states that the United States stands in 
solidarity with the Turkish people in the fight against terrorism. 
These attacks, Madam Speaker, bear all the hallmarks of al Qaeda, and 
that terrorist group has claimed responsibility for these cruel and 
cowardly acts.
  This demonstrates, once again, that the target of global terrorists 
is not just the United States of America, but all those who reject 
their hateful vision of a clash of civilizations and governments by 
religious extremism.

[[Page H12134]]

  I thought President Bush in the United Kingdom the other day said it 
so well when he said, ``I want to express my deep sympathy for the loss 
of life in Turkey. The nature of the terrorist enemy is evident once 
again. We see their contempt, their utter contempt, for innocent life. 
They hate freedom,'' the President went on. ``They hate free nations. 
Today, once again, we saw their ambitions of murder. The cruelty is 
part of their strategy. The terrorists hope to intimidate; they hope to 
demoralize. They particularly want to intimidate and demoralize free 
nations. They're not going to succeed.''
  Madam Speaker, despite some significant human rights issues, and no 
one has been more of a critic of Turkey than I have in the past, 
although they are making some progress, despite all of that, Turkey 
remains one of the few successful democracies in the Muslim world, with 
a tradition of religious tolerance. The Turkish Republic is an example 
of how a predominantly Muslim country can enjoy a secular, democratic 
government. Turkey has shown that the Islamic faith of its citizens and 
a secular democracy can flourish side by side.
  By targeting synagogues and Turkish citizens of the Jewish faith on 
Saturday, the terrorists attacked the notion that Muslims can live in 
peace and harmony with other faiths. It was a profoundly anti-Semitic 
act. The terrorists know that the successful example of Turkey lays 
bear the emptiness of their own hateful vision. It is working in 
Turkey, and yet now they are trying to give a different impression to 
the world.
  By targeting the British Consulate General and a leading British 
bank, these terrorists viciously illustrated that all of our allies and 
their targets must remain united with our allies in the fight against 
terrorism.
  Madam Speaker, these contemptible acts killed almost 50 people, 
including the British Consul General in Istanbul, and injured more than 
750 innocent people. Our deepest condolences go out to their families 
and to their nations.
  Turkey has been a strong American ally, as we all know, the 
underbelly of NATO for more than 50 years. By agreeing to this 
resolution, we affirm our mutual commitment to that common defense.
  I would remind my colleagues that after the September 11 of 2001 
attacks, NATO invoked its collective defense clause, declaring that the 
al Qaeda attacks in the United States were attacks against the entire 
alliance.

                              {time}  1200

  I thought British Prime Minister Tony Blair summed it up very well 
when he said, ``And when they say is this an attack directed against 
our alliance, indeed, it is directed against anybody who stands in the 
way of that fanaticism'' he went on to say, ``That is why our response 
has got to be to say to them as clearly as we possibly can, you are not 
going to defeat us because our will to defend what we believe is, in 
actuality, and in the end, stronger, better, more determined than your 
will to inflict damage on innocent people.''
  Madam Speaker, let me conclude by saying this: Turkey and the United 
Kingdom both played important roles to drive al Qaeda from its base in 
Afghanistan and to replace the Taliban government that harbored those 
terrorists. They were the first two countries to command the 
International Security Assistance Force, which has stabilized the Kabul 
region and supported the Karzai government. Turkey and the United 
Kingdom stood by the United States when our Nation was the target of 
global terrorism. By passing this timely resolution today in a 
bipartisan way, Democrats, Republicans, moderates, liberals and 
conservatives, we affirm our determination to stand by our longtime 
allies and to defeat the terrorists who bear the guilt for these highly 
reprehensible acts.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. 
I am strongly in support of this resolution.
  First, let me pay tribute to my dear friend, the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Hastings), for initiating this important legislation and 
to recognize the contributions of my friends, the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Wexler) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith). I 
particularly want to thank the gentleman from Illinois (Chairman Hyde) 
for being so gracious late yesterday afternoon in expediting the 
handling of this legislation.
  Madam Speaker, at least 50 people are dead and over 700 are injured 
in a sickening and appalling wave of suicide bombings in Istanbul over 
this past week. The attacks targeted Jewish places of worship and 
British governmental and business institutions; but the overwhelming 
majority of the victims are Muslim Turks, proof positive of the total 
cynicism and utter phoniness of these so-called Islamist assassins.
  This is not just a war on the Jews, though it is also that. It is not 
just a war on the British or on our own country, although it is that. 
It is a war on the entire civilized and democratic world and its 
values. It is now clear that al Qaeda and its Turkish supporters have 
declared war on the democratic Republic of Turkey as part of that 
overall assault. Al Qaeda recognizes that the existence of Turkey, 99 
percent Muslim, pro-Western, a secular democracy on the frontiers of 
the Western world, makes a mockery of al Qaeda's religious extremism. 
These terrorists want to roll back Western values by destabilizing and 
destroying Turkish democracy.
  Madam Speaker, the Turkish Government has behaved admirably in this 
dark hour. It condemned the action and it vowed to catch the 
perpetrators, and I have no doubt that they shall. Now, the hard work 
of finding these terrorists, destroying their cells, and preventing 
future attacks begins.
  The Turkish Government and the Turkish people should know that the 
American people will be steadfast in our support of them in this dark 
hour. All civilized nations must do likewise. The Turkish Interior 
Minister is correct to dismiss what he calls the crocodile tears of 
those who express condolences, but do nothing to fight terrorism.
  Madam Speaker, we mourn the deaths, we pray for the wounded, and our 
hearts go out to the families of all of the victims. And to all the 
citizens of Istanbul and all of Turkey whose lives have been so 
brutally violated, let us honor them by joining with Turkey and with 
all who believe in freedom to fight the extremist criminals who want to 
end our way of life. They will fail and we shall prevail. I strongly 
support this resolution, and I urge all of my colleagues to do 
likewise.
  Madam Speaker, I am delighted to yield 6 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Hastings), my good friend and the author of 
this resolution.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I want to begin by thanking 
my good friend of long-standing here in the House of Representatives 
and a vigorous fighter for human rights and the protector of the rights 
of people who are set upon as this despicable act has done. I would 
also like to thank the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), my 
friend, and have him to know that I, along with him, am deeply saddened 
because so many of our colleagues that we serve with in the 
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe were affected. I 
have contacted Bruce George, our President's office from the U.K., and 
Dr. Yaleintas, or Professor Yaleintas, and expressed our condolences to 
them.
  Most importantly, I would like to thank the gentleman from Illinois 
(Chairman Hyde), as the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) has 
already, for expediting this matter for us and giving us an opportunity 
to go to the majority leader and the minority leader; and I thank them 
for expediting this process. The majority leader's office has been 
extremely helpful in that regard.
  It would be remiss of me if I did not take this opportunity to 
commend the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Wexler), who is my good friend 
and my soulmate geographically in Florida, as well as in our 
friendship; the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Granger) and the gentleman 
from Kentucky (Mr. Whitfield) from the majority side, my good friends 
that I have gotten to know through our efforts, not only in this 
resolution, but others; and also the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. 
Berkley); and countless others who have had direct involvement.

[[Page H12135]]

  I had the good fortune less than 2 months ago to travel to Turkey 
with Brent Scowcroft, and it was the most illuminating and enlightening 
experience. It was not my first visit to Turkey; I have been there now 
a total of seven times.
  On November 15, 2003, two explosions set off minutes apart devastated 
Nev Shalom Synagogue, Istanbul's largest synagogue and symbolic center 
to the city's 25,000-member Jewish community, and the Beth Israel 
Synagogue about 3 miles away. In addition, yesterday, explosions hit 
the Turkish headquarters of the London-based HSBC Bank and the British 
Consulate General, killing at least 26 people, including Roger Short, 
someone that I knew and the British Consul-General, and wounding over 
450.
  In the span of 5 days, terror claimed over 50 lives and injured more 
than 800 people in Turkey.
  The House of Representatives gathers here today united in expressing 
that we abhor and denounce these hateful, repugnant, and loathsome acts 
of terrorism. We gather here to, in unison, make sure that the world 
understands our outrage by this week's attacks.
  The United States is determined to stand by Turkey in the fight 
against the scourge of terrorism. The acts of murder committed in 
Istanbul were a cowardly and brutal manifestation of the moral vacuum 
directing the disease of international terrorism. My and all of our 
heartfelt condolences go out to the victims and their families.
  Madam Speaker, the United States and Turkey are natural allies based 
on our shared values and common interests in building a stable, 
peaceful, and prosperous world. Moreover, as a predominantly Muslim 
nation with a secular government, Turkey is an example, as the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) has pointed out, of a successful 
secular Muslim democracy. Turkey is a pivotal showcase of the Muslim 
world that fundamentalists hate. Turkey is an ally of the United States 
and a friend of Israel and is NATO's only predominantly Muslim member. 
It has supported the war against terrorism, commandeering and offering 
peacekeeping forces in Afghanistan and offering peacekeepers for Iraq.
  Terrorism respects neither boundaries nor borders. Instead, it 
intends to harm every nation that respects democracy, freedom, 
equality, and the rule of law.
  These acts further demonstrate that the war on terrorism is not a war 
between civilizations. The attacks in Turkey were perpetrated by Muslim 
terrorists against a predominantly Muslim nation. They suggest that 
this is not a religious war, but one that is based on politics, 
culture, and our way of life.
  Madam Speaker, I conclude by once again denouncing these vial, anti-
Semitic, and anti-Muslim attacks against men, women, and children and 
expressing my sympathies to the individuals and families of the 
victims. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Whitfield), my good friend 
and colleague.
  Mr. WHITFIELD. Madam Speaker, I think it is certainly appropriate 
that we at this time are speaking about the nation of Turkey. As the 
gentleman from Florida so eloquently stated, Turkey has been a loyal 
ally of the U.S., a member of NATO, a Muslim secular country that is a 
great model for a Muslim democracy. Turkey has played a vital role and 
I think can play a much more vital role in helping with peace in the 
Middle East. They have a great relationship with the country of Israel. 
They have a large Jewish population and, as I said earlier, it is a 99 
percent Muslim country.
  We all abhor violence of any kind, and these acts of terrorism that 
seem to become more frequent throughout the world are causing all of us 
great heartache: the families that are involved, the suffering that is 
involved, the senselessness of the acts.
  So I stand here today simply to express my condolences to the 
families in Turkey, to the nation of Turkey, and remind the American 
people, once again, that Turkey is a valuable and important ally of the 
United States. We have common interests, and I am quite confident that 
our nations will continue to work for peace in the Middle East and, by 
acts of goodness and kindness, will eventually be able to overcome 
these random acts of violence, this planned terrorism around the world.
  Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 3 minutes to 
the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Berkley), a distinguished member of 
the Committee on International Relations and a steadfast fighter 
against global terrorism.
  Ms. BERKLEY. Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Lantos) for giving me the opportunity to speak and 
share my thoughts with my colleagues, and the gentleman from New Jersey 
(Mr. Smith) for being stellar on this issue.
  I rise today, Madam Speaker, in strong support of House Resolution 
453, condemning the terrorist attacks in Istanbul, Turkey, on November 
15 of this year and expressing my sincerest condolences to the victims 
and their families.

                              {time}  1215

  This past Saturday, as they gathered together to observe the holy 
Sabbath, two explosions devastated the Jewish community in Istanbul, 
Turkey. The first occurred at the city's largest synagogue and symbolic 
center to the city's 25,000-member Jewish community and the second at 
Beth Israel synagogue about three miles away.
  More than 20 people lost their lives and more than 300 were injured 
as terrorism, yet again, tore the fabric of civilized society and 
shattered innocent lives. Most of those killed in the blasts, 
ironically, were Muslim Turks who lived or worked near the synagogues 
who were passing by when the bombs exploded. This is not the first time 
that al-Qaeda has targeted the Jewish institutions. In 2002, they 
killed 12 people in an attack at a synagogue in Tunisia.
  The Turkish Government immediately condemned the terrorist attacks in 
the strongest possible terms and I am pleased that the Turkish people 
have reacted in strong solidarity with the Nation's small and long-
established Jewish community.
  Madam Speaker, as a youngster growing up in Las Vegas, I belonged to 
the Jewish youth groups, and occasionally the Anti-Defamation League 
would bring in films of the liberation of the concentration camps in 
World War II. I cannot minimize the impact of those films and their 
impact on my life then and now. And I would sit there and watch the 
films and ask myself how could one human being do such a horrific thing 
to another, and how is it that more people throughout the world did not 
stand up and vilify this horrific act.
  I am here in the United States of America because my grandparents 
walked across Europe in order to come to this country to escape the 
persecution that 6 million of my fellow Jews were unable to escape in 
World War II. For me to have the opportunity to be on the floor of the 
House of Representatives and not condemn this horrific act of terrorism 
would be a shame and an insult to not only the 20 people that lost 
their lives recently in Istanbul, but the millions of other people 
across the world, Jewish and not Jewish, who have lost their lives 
senselessly and needlessly to terrorists.
  I call upon my colleagues to join us, and vote for this resolution 
taking a strong stance against bigotry and intolerance, racism and 
anti-Semitism, violence and terrorism. These are very difficult and 
challenging times that we are living through. But it is incumbent upon 
all Americans, we in the House of Representatives leading the way, to 
stand up and condemn this sort of activity before it becomes pervasive 
and matter of fact.
  Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Wexler), my good friend, a distinguished member of the 
Committee on International Relations.
  Mr. WEXLER. Madam Speaker, I want to also thank my good friend and 
close associate, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Hastings), and my 
colleagues on the Congressional Turkey Caucus for initiating this 
vitally important resolution condemning the horrific terrorist attacks 
in Turkey over the past week. I also want to thank the gentleman from 
Illinois (Chairman Hyde), the gentleman from California (Ranking Member 
Lantos),

[[Page H12136]]

the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), for especially expeditiously 
bringing this very important resolution to the Floor.
  I rise to express my most profound and heartfelt condolences to the 
Turkish people and to the Turkish Government on the terrorist attacks 
in Istanbul and pledge the support of each Member of Congress as we 
listen to this debate in the full Congress to bring to justice those 
individuals responsible for these heinous acts. Americans know all too 
well the horrors of terror, and today we mourn with the Turkish and 
British people for this senseless loss of life.
  Madam Speaker, the recent bombings in Turkey epitomize the fact that 
terrorism knows no boundaries and does not distinguish between 
religion, nation or culture. What these attacks demonstrate the common 
thread of terror facing the United States, Turkey, and our allies 
throughout the world. They also serve as a solemn reminder of our 
Nation's shared principles of democracy, freedom, tolerance, and the 
pursuit of peace.
  For over 50 years Turkey has stood shoulder to shoulder with the 
United States as a valued strategic partner, Nato ally, and friend. It 
is in this same spirit of partnership that the United States and the 
American people stand today with the Turkish people, ready to assist in 
punishing those murderers who carried out these cowardly actions. 
Together we will continue our pursuit of justice so that we may ensure 
that all victims of terror, whether in Turkey, the United States or 
elsewhere throughout the world, will not have died in vain.
  As the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Hastings) stated earlier, I too 
have had the privilege of visiting Turkey on many occasions. The 
Turkish people are a warm and caring people. They have great national 
pride, they are patriots. That will continue. And we, the American 
people, must continue to assist them in their pursuit of terrorism 
within their boundaries.
  Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, before yielding back our time, I would merely like to 
mention that a number of us coming back from Baghdad were in Ankara, 
Turkey's capital, just a couple of weeks ago. We had a lengthy and 
significant discussion with the distinguished Foreign Minister of 
Turkey. We reaffirmed, as did our Turkish counterparts, our firm 
commitment to fight terrorism globally. These tragic events in Istanbul 
since our visit to Ankara underscore the urgency and the importance of 
our stand. I call on all of our colleagues to support this very 
important resolution.
  Mr. BEREUTER. Madam Speaker, this Member, as a cosponsor of the 
resolution and a committed friend of the Turkish people, rises in 
strong support of H. Res. 453. This Member would like to thank the 
distinguished gentleman from Florida (Mr. Hastings) for introducing 
this very timely resolution. Mr. Hastings has worked closely with 
Members and staff of the Committee on International Relations and its 
Europe Subcommittee--including the distinguished ranking members of the 
full committee and subcommittee, Mr. Lantos and Mr. Wexler--to craft 
the resolution that is before us this morning.
  This Member would also like to thank the distinguished gentleman from 
New Jersey (Mr. Smith) for his leadership on this issue and his very 
thoughtful remarks. Mr. Smith is the leader of the U.S. delegation to 
the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and 
Cooperation in Europe, and Mr. Hastings is an active member of that 
delegation, and this Member commends them for their work.
  Madam Speaker, this Member serves as President of the NATO 
Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA) and Chairman of the House Delegation. 
Though such assemblies, Members get to know their counterparts from 
other nations first-hand and to visit these nations to understand more 
about these lands and their people.
  This Member already has written to Mr. Vahit Erdem, the chairman of 
the Turkish delegation, expressing our deepest sympathies to the 
Turkish parliament and the Turkish people, particularly the families of 
the victims.
  One year ago, the NATO PA met in Istanbul, in a conference center 
overlooking the Bosporus straits, separating Europe from Asia. From our 
hotel rooms, we could look south to see the Taksim neighborhood that 
was devastated by the bombing of the British Consulate General 
yesterday. Indeed, several of us had the opportunity at night to stroll 
the busy, historic streets of that district.
  As we discussed the key issues in the transAtlantic relationship, we 
also had an opportunity to experience the great city of Istanbul, one 
of the most historically important cities in the world. Istanbul 
literally lies between Europe and Asia, the only city in the world on 
two continents, and its history is that of a bridge between east and 
west.
  The reprehensible terrorist attacks of last Saturday, directed 
against Turks of the Jewish faith, were an attempt to directly assault 
the religious tolerance that has been a hallmark of the Turkish 
Republic. Yesterday's attacks, against the British Consulate and a 
British bank, were an attack on the strong ties between Turkey and its 
allies in Europe and in North America and on the long and extraordinary 
transAtlantic relationship between the United Kingdom and the United 
States of America by further inflaming the British critics of the Iraq 
war and our transAtlantic relationship.
  Sadly, they remind us that international terrorism remains a grave 
threat to all nations of the North Atlantic Alliance. Two years ago, 
when NATO invoked Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, both Turkey 
and the United Kingdom showed that they were prepared to play a leading 
role in the war against terrorism, both alternatively taking the 
command of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. 
We remember their clear and strongly anti-terrorism, pro-American 
response to the al-Qaeda attacks on the United States, and in this 
resolution today, we pledge our support to Turkey in response to this 
latest terrorist atrocity.
  NATO already has declared that the September 11, 2001, attacks by al 
Qaeda constituted an attack on the entire Alliance. Likewise, these 
attacks on an ally are an attack on all allies. Article 5 has already 
been invoked against al Qaeda. As a result NATO today is in 
Afghanistan, working to defeat that terrorist organization and their 
Taliban allies.
  In the words of Lord Robertson, the NATO secretary general: ``If we 
fail, we will find Afghanistan on all of our doorsteps. Worse still, 
NATO's credibility will be shattered, along with that of every NATO 
government. Who will stand with us in the war against terror if we take 
on a commitment such as this and then fail to deliver?''
  The bombings in Istanbul are a vicious reminder of the stakes in the 
global war on terrorism and the need to ensure that Afghanistan never 
again becomes a haven for those who seek to murder our people and 
destroy our societies. We all must provide the resources needed to win 
this war and protect our citizens.
  Madam Speaker, in closing, this Member urges his colleague to pass 
this resolution.
  Mr. ORTIZ. Madam Speaker, I rise to offer my condolences to the 
Turkish people and the Turkish government for the horrific terrorist 
attacks in Istanbul on November 15 and 20.
  As al Qaeda has proved again and again, they intend to fight this 
21st Century's first global war against civilians and non-combatants. 
As we have proved again and again, we will fight this war wherever it 
flares up. And we will win, because we have the fortitude to do the 
right thing.
  Turkey is one of our strongest allies in the fight on global 
terrorism--and has repeatedly stood by our side in NATO matters (as a 
NATO ally) and in the war on terror, in understated ways. I have a 
number of friends and people we know there, that I met on numerous 
House Armed Services Committee trips to visit NATO allies.
  All South Texans condemn the cowardly and senseless killing of 
innocent people in Turkey, one of the finest examples of a democracy in 
practice, and one of the few Muslim nations to practice democracy.
  We have shared principles of democracy, freedom, tolerance and the 
pursuit of peace--and today we stand with our Turkish friends. Those 
who opposed democracy will eventually learn that to kill democracy is 
to kill all those who love democracy. Al Qaeda doesn't have enough 
bombs to kill all those who love democratic principals around the 
world.
  My family and I are praying for the families and victims injured and 
perished in this atrocity.
  The United States Congress hereby offers our judgment that this 
attack was cowardly, and we stand with our Turkish friends in this hour 
of great loss.
  Mr. POMEROY. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of this 
resolution condemning the terrorist attacks in Istanbul, Turkey on 
November 15 and 20, 2003. I wish to express my most sincere and 
heartfelt condolences to the Turkish government and the relatives of 
those killed or injured. My thoughts are with Turkey and its people in 
this time of sorrow.
  If there is one thing these cowardly acts have demonstrated, it is 
that terrorism knows no borders. These catastrophic attacks were not 
just an attack on Turkey, but an attack on humanity and civilization. 
As Americans who have experienced terrorism firsthand, we share in 
Turkey's grief.

[[Page H12137]]

  I am convinced that the United States must stand shoulder to shoulder 
with Turkey as it defends its safety and protects its liberty by 
bringing to justice those responsible for these heinous acts. Together, 
we must stand ready to provide any assistance deemed necessary to 
ensure that justice is served--not solely to account for the lives 
taken and injuries inflicted against the Turkish people, but in defense 
of freedom around the world.
  In the end, Madam Speaker, these tragedies will be remembered as a 
time of incredible loss and sadness. But it will also mark a time when 
America and Turkey came even closer together to respond to global 
terrorism. We are united today as never to ensure that terrorism is 
defeated, completely and finally.
  Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Madam Speaker, today I come to the House floor 
in strong support of H. Res. 453, a House resolution condemning the 
terrorist attacks in Istanbul, Turkey and expressing condolences to the 
families of the individuals murdered.
  On November 15 and 20, four horrific terrorist attacks rocked 
Istanbul. Two Jewish synagogues, the British Consulate and the London-
based HSBC bank were the targets. Faceless, cowardly terrorists who 
thrive on inflicting fear and terror on the innocent carried out these 
attacks. These recent attacks epitomize the fact that terrorism knows 
no boundaries and does not distinguish between religion, nationality or 
culture.
  Terrorism must be condemned in the strongest terms whenever and 
wherever it occurs. The Government of Turkey appropriately did so and 
has vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. But, no one country can 
do this alone. In order for the perpetrators of terrorism to be brought 
to justice, all the countries of the world must stand united against 
terrorism that targets the civilized world.
  For over fifty years, Turkey has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the 
U.S. as one of our most valued strategic partners and it is only 
fitting that Congress express sympathy for those murdered and wounded, 
extend condolences to the bereaved families and affirm our unity with 
Turkey in the ongoing fight against terror. I am pleased that the House 
Leadership scheduled H. Res. 453 for floor action today.
  Mr. ROTHMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my sorrow and 
rage over the Saturday bombings of the Neve Shalom and Beth Israel 
synagogues and the Thursday bombings of the British Consulate and HSBC 
Bank in Istanbul, Turkey. Tragically, 51 innocent victims of the War on 
Terror have died in Turkey this week and over 750 were wounded. These 
victims died or were wounded simply because they gathered to pray on a 
Saturday morning in honor of Shabbat, the Jewish day of reflection and 
rest, or were going about their normal daily lives in Istanbul.
  Turkish officials have identified the bombers of the Neve Shalom and 
Beth Israel synagogues as Turkish militants, with possible connections 
to al Qaeda, who loaded bombs, each with about 500 pounds of ammonium 
sulfate, nitrate, and fuel oil, into trucks they pulled in front of the 
synagogues and detonated nearly simultaneously. Among those who died 
were 6 Jews and 17 Muslims--each buried near the remains of the 22 
victims killed in a 1986 bombing at Neve Shalom. Initial reports 
indicate that truck bombs were also used in the terrorist attacks 
against the British Consulate and London based HSBC Holdings, which 
killed at least 27 and wounded over 450 people.
  Madam Speaker, approximately 30,000 Jews live in Turkey--a 99.8% 
Muslim nation. For years Jews have lived peacefully and freely and have 
in fact thrived in a predominately Muslim nation. Much of this is due 
to Turkey's historically good treatment of its Jewish residents--dating 
back to the early influx of Jews during the Spanish Inquisition and 
later to Turkey's refusal to deport and exterminate its Jewish 
population during the Holocaust despite its longstanding relationship 
with Germany. Today, a benevolent relationship has grown between the 
Turkish and Israeli governments who share close ties and hold joint 
military exercises.
  The attacks in Turkey this week aim to undermine the relationship 
between Turkey, the U.S., and Britain, and highlight the growing 
resurgence of al Qaeda and its worldwide network. The attacks in Turkey 
follow the suspected hand of al Qaeda in incidents in Saudi Arabia, 
Indonesia, and Morocco. The attacks on Thursday also highlight the fact 
that Turkey is a secular Muslim country that leans West through its 
business dealings, culture, and government affairs. The terrorists are 
determined to undermine the links between Turkey and the Western world.
  Madam Speaker, as fighting has flared up in Iraq and al Qaeda has 
again regrouped and gained strength, and as President Bush returns from 
his trip to England while Israel and the Palestinian Authority 
tentatively reach out to each other in hopes of a cease fire and peace, 
now is not the time to turn our backs on the War on Terror. Now is the 
time to stand together with our friends and allies around the world as 
we all mourn those who died in Turkey this past week and those we have 
lost to terror attacks in the past, while jointly taking a stand to 
continue to fight for our survival in our war of self-defense against 
these madmen. We must work to ensure that all our allies help us root 
out terror at its source by sharing intelligence, auditing finances and 
doing whatever else is necessary in the hopes that like the Jews and 
Muslims have done for years in Turkey: we can all live together in 
peace.
  Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests 
for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Biggert). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 453, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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