[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 74 (Tuesday, June 7, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6115-S6116]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          VISIT BY TURKISH PRIME MINISTER RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, on Wednesday, I will have the honor of 
meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan here in the 
Capitol. We will be meeting to discuss the importance of the United 
States-Turkish relationship and the ways in which we can strengthen 
that bond to achieve our common goals. I have had the opportunity to 
meet with the Prime Minister twice before over the past 12 months.
  During a trip to the Middle East this spring, I sat down with Prime 
Minister Erdogan in Jerusalem. Prior to that, we met in Istanbul in the 
summer of 2004.
  I look forward to continuing our dialog on the importance of the 
Turkish-American relationship. Turkey is a critical NATO ally and an 
indispensable partner in the global war on terror.
  Despite our two countries' strong ties and close cooperation, there 
have been strains in the recent past that began with the liberation of 
Iraq in the spring of 2003. Some in the press speculate that Istanbul 
and Washington are going their separate ways. This is simply not the 
case.
  It is true that March of 2003, the Turkish parliament rejected our 
request to permit the deployment of U.S. troops to Turkey in order to 
open a northern front against Saddam's forces. Clearly, we were not 
pleased. However, Turkey's subsequent offer to send troops to Iraq and 
President Bush's visit to Turkey last June moved our partnership beyond 
that matter.
  Turkey has granted coalition forces overflight rights through Turkish 
airspace throughout the war in Iraq and has permitted the use of its 
ports, airbases, and roads for resupplying coalition troops an 
supporting reconstruction efforts in Iraq. Because of its proximity, 
Turkey's Incirlik airbase has also served as a vital transit location 
for coalition troops rotating in and out of Iraq. In fact, from January 
to April 2004, half of all U.S. troops rotating in and out of Iraq went 
through Incirlik, and Turkey recently agreed to allow coalition forces 
to use the base as a logistics hub. Turkey's assistance and support has 
been invaluable.
  Turkey has also been a leader in Iraq's reconstruction efforts. At 
the

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2003 Madrid donors' conference, Turkey generously pledged to donate $50 
million in aid over 5 years. In addition, Turkish businesses are 
functioning in Iraq and helping to provide fuel, electricity, and water 
to the Iraqi people. And many brave Turkish men and women have given 
the ultimate sacrifice to help build Iraq's nascent democracy. We honor 
them for their courage.
  Turkey's contribution to the reconstruction project in Afghanistan 
must also not be overlooked. Turkey has taken the lead for the 
International Security Assistance Force twice in the last 3 years, most 
recently in February of this year.
  And we must not forget that Turkey had been challenged by terrorism 
at home by the PKK for years before 9/11. Turkey is threatened today as 
well. Some PKK terrorists are seeking safe haven in northern Iraq, and 
so I urge the administration and the Iraqi government to take more 
aggressive action against the terrorists, and deny them any safe haven 
from which to launch attacks.
  Since 9/11, Turkey has also been the target of al-Qaida. In November 
2003, 62 people were killed and more than 700 injured in multiple 
bombings in Istanbul. It was a tragic event that saddened and angered 
the world, and fortified our resolve to win the war on terror.
  Turkey has been a dedicated and reliable ally. Our intelligence 
communities are in close contact in this war, and Turkey has been 
instrumental in capturing terrorists, disrupting their logistics and 
planning, and dismantling their vast financial networks.
  I am confident that Turkey will remain determined and resolute in the 
war on terror, and that enhanced cooperation between our two countries 
will prove to be fruitful. Turkey's role as a vital and strategic ally 
can only be enhanced by its membership in the European Union. The 
United States strongly supports this.
  On December 17 last year, EU member states accepted the 
recommendation of the European commission for the commencement of 
accession negotiations with Turkey. These talks are scheduled to begin 
in October. In order to reach this stage, the Turkish government has 
undertaken sweeping reforms to fulfill the political and economic 
criteria for membership in the EU.
  Since October of 2001, the Turkish parliament has passed nine reform 
packages to bring Turkish laws into line with EU benchmarks--five under 
the leadership of Prime Minister Endrogan. Reforms include the 
legalization of Kurdish broadcasting and education, the enhancement of 
freedoms of speech and association, greater civilian control over the 
military, and more thorough and transparent investigations into 
allegations of human rights abuses. It is crucial that Turkey continue 
to take steps to meet all of the EU's criteria. This will allow the 
United States to remain a steady and effective supporter of Turkey's 
ambitions to join the EU.
  Turkey's accession to the EU will have a profound impact on Muslim 
populations within Europe, in the broader Middle East and beyond. It 
will further demonstrate that democratic governance and respect for the 
rule of law are not unique to one religion or one culture, but are the 
birthright of all peoples everywhere. Just as the people of Iraq, 
Lebanon, and Afghanistan are setting a remarkable example for the 
entire Middle East, Turkey's membership in the EU will inspire hope 
throughout the entire Muslim world.
  And, finally, as a secular democracy with a predominantly Muslim 
population, Turkey's membership in the EU--as in NATO--will demonstrate 
the United States' and Europe's commitment to diversity and tolerance.
  We may not always agree on the same course of action--and sometimes 
we may not agree on the same ends--but Turkey has, for decades, been a 
friend. And it has consistently expressed its dedication to the values, 
ideals, and interests that the United States holds dear.
  Like the United States, Turkey is committed to a democratic Iraq that 
respects the rights of its own people and is at peace with its 
neighbors. It is committed to a just resolution to the Israeli-
Palestinian conflict in which two democratic states, Israel and 
Palestine, live side-by-side in peace and security. It stands against 
Iran's nuclear ambitions, and squarely for victory in the war against 
terror.
  The United States and Turkey share the same objectives: peace, 
security, and the spread of freedom and opportunity.
  The partnership between the United States and Turkey has survived 
disagreements in the past and has been consistently vital in the 
pursuit of our shared interests. The key has always been strong 
leadership at the highest levels that articulates our partnership and 
defends the bilateral ties that help us advance our common goals.
  Today, we face a golden opportunity to move beyond recent tensions 
and strengthen our partnership. The first step is for Prime Minister 
Erdogan to speak clearly in defense of our partnership, and to dispel a 
wave of anti-Americanism that runs counter to the last 5 decades of 
cooperation.
  I'm confident that the prime minister will do so during his visit 
this week, and when he returns home to Turkey. And I'm confident that 
the United States-Turkish partnership will endure as we confront the 
challenges of the 21st century together.
  I yield the floor.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Illinois is 
recognized.
  Mr. DURBIN. Will the Chair inform me as to what the situation is 
concerning morning business or debate.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. We are supposed to go into 
executive session at this time.
  Mr. DURBIN. I thank the Chair.

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