[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 7 (Wednesday, January 28, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S326]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 87--WELCOMING THE PRIME MINISTER OF TURKEY 
                          TO THE UNITED STATES

  Mr. SMITH (for himself, Mr. Biden, and Mr. Allen) submitted the 
following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
Foreign Relations:

                            S. Con. Res. 87

       Whereas for more than 50 years a strategic partnership has 
     existed between the United States and Turkey that has been of 
     enormous political, economic, cultural, and strategic benefit 
     to both countries;
       Whereas the United States and Turkey share common ideals 
     and a clear vision for the 21st century, where freedom and 
     democracy are the foundations for peace, prosperity, and 
     progress;
       Whereas the Government of Turkey has demonstrated its 
     unequivocal support for the war against terrorism throughout 
     the world, and has called for the international community to 
     unite against this threat;
       Whereas Turkey commanded the International Security 
     Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan from June 2002 to 
     February 2003 and provided humanitarian and medical 
     assistance in Afghanistan and in Iraq;
       Whereas in October 2003 Turkey became the first 
     predominantly Muslim state to authorize sending peacekeepers 
     to Iraq when the Turkish Parliament voted to approve a 
     deployment of 10,000 troops;
       Whereas the people of Turkey also have been victims of 
     international attacks on November 15, 2003, and November 20, 
     2003;
       Whereas the Government of Turkey immediately condemned the 
     terrorist attacks in the strongest possible terms, detained 
     the perpetrators, and quickly brought them to justice.
       Whereas the terrorist attacks in Turkey brought the United 
     States and Turkey closer together, in spite of the 
     terrorists' motive of driving the two countries apart;
       Whereas the Government of Turkey has made its bases in 
     Incirlik available as a transit point for United States 
     troops returning to the United States from Iraq;
       Whereas Prime Minister Erdogan supports a renewed effort by 
     the United Nations to reunify the divided country of Cyprus;
       Whereas the United States supports Turkey's bid for 
     membership in the European Union;
       Whereas Turkey and Israel, the only democracies in the 
     Middle East, established diplomatic relations in 1949, and 
     have a multi-faceted and thriving relationship; and
       Whereas Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan brings a strong 
     message from the Turkish people that Turkey will continue to 
     support the United States campaign against international 
     terrorism as well as United States efforts to rebuild and 
     bring democracy and stability to Afghanistan and Iraq: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) offers its warmest welcome to Prime Minister Recep 
     Tayyip Erdogan upon his visit to the United States from 
     January 26 through 31, 2004;
       (2) asks Prime Minister Erdogan to communicate the 
     continuing support of Congress and of the people of the 
     United States to the people of Turkey;
       (3) recognizes that the visit of Prime Minister Erdogan to 
     the United States is a significant step toward broadening and 
     deepening the strategic partnership, friendship and 
     cooperation between the United States and Turkey;
       (4) acknowledges Prime Minister Erdogan's support for 
     renewed negotiations in Cyprus; and
       (5) thanks Prime Minister Erdogan and the people and 
     government of Turkey for--
       (A) assuming command of the International Security 
     Assistance Force in Kabul, Afghanistan from June 2002 to 
     February 2003;
       (B) providing humanitarian and medical assistance in 
     Afghanistan and in Iraq; and
       (C) their willingness to contribute to international peace, 
     stability, and prosperity, especially in the greater Middle 
     East region.

  Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today to submit a resolution 
welcoming the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the United 
States. Prime Minister Erdogan is visiting this week for important 
meetings with President Bush and other senior Administration officials 
to discuss significant issues that affect both of our countries. I am 
pleased that my colleagues Senator Biden and Senator Allen have joined 
me in offering this resolution at this time.
  Prime Minister Erdogan represents a country of great importance to 
the United States, one with whom we have a shared history of fighting 
Soviet aggression as partners in NATO, and one with whom we are joined 
in fighting terrorism today. Turkey has shown its willingness to 
support American objectives in Afghanistan--where it commanded the 
International Security Assistance Force for seven months, and where its 
soldiers continue to serve side-by-side with American troops--and in 
post-war Iraq, where it has authorized sending peacekeeping troops and 
has contributed humanitarian supplies for the Iraqi people.
  Furthermore, Turkey shares our democratic values and love of freedom. 
These ideals have brought enormous benefits to its people and serve as 
an excellent example for its neighbors that secular Islam and democracy 
can coexist peacefully and constructively.
  I am confident that the visit of Prime Minister Erdogan will further 
cement the strategic partnership between Turkey and the United States. 
I welcome him to the United States.

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