[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 165 (Monday, October 29, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S13524-S13525]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS
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SENATE RESOLUTION 358--EXPRESSING THE IMPORTANCE OF FRIENDSHIP AND
COOPERATION BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND TURKEY
Mr. SMITH (for himself and Mr. Byrd) submitted the following
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations:
S. Res. 358
Whereas the United States and Turkey share common ideals
and a clear vision for the 21st century, in which freedom and
democracy are the foundation of peace, prosperity, and
security;
Whereas Turkey is a strong example of a predominantly
Muslim country with a true representative democratic
government;
Whereas for more than 50 years a strategic partnership has
existed between the United States and Turkey, both
bilaterally and through the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization, which has been of enormous political, economic,
cultural, and strategic benefit to both countries;
Whereas the Government of Turkey has demonstrated its
opposition to terrorism throughout the world, and has called
for the international community to unite against this threat;
Whereas Turkey maintains an important bilateral
relationship with Israel and seeks to play a constructive
role in Middle East peace negotiations;
Whereas Operation Enduring Freedom entered its 6th year on
October 7th, 2007;
Whereas Turkey commanded the International Security
Assistance Force in Afghanistan twice, from July 2002 to
January 2003, and from February 2005 to August 2005;
Whereas Turkey has provided humanitarian and medical
assistance in Afghanistan and in Iraq;
Whereas the Government of Turkey has made its base in
Incirlik available for United States missions in Iraq and
Afghanistan;
Whereas Secretary of Defense Robert Gates credits United
States air bases in Turkey with handling 70 percent of all
air cargo deployed into Iraq;
Whereas 95 percent of the Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protective
vehicles (MRAPs) deployed into Iraq transit through air bases
in Turkey;
Whereas MRAPs protect coalition forces from improvised
explosive devices and roadside bombs;
Whereas the people of Turkey have been victims of terrorist
attacks by Al-Qaeda on November 15, 2003, and November 20,
2003;
Whereas the United States supports Turkey's bid for
membership in the European Union; and
Whereas the Secretary of State has listed the Kurdistan
Workers' Party, which has taken up arms against Turkey since
its founding, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in
accordance with section 219 of the Immigration and
Nationality Act, as amended: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) reiterates its strong support for the strategic
alliance between the United States and Turkey;
(2) urges Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey to
communicate the continuing support of the Senate and of the
people of the United States to the people of Turkey;
(3) condemns the violent attacks conducted by the Kurdistan
Workers' Party over the last 2 decades;
(4) urges Kurdish leaders in Iraq to deny safe harbor for
terrorists and to recognize bilateral agreements between Iraq
and Turkey for cooperation against terrorism;
(5) encourages the Government of Turkey and the Government
of Iraq to continue to work together to end the threat of
terrorism; and
(6) 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 July 2002 to
January 2003, and from February 2005 to August 2005;
(B) providing humanitarian and medical assistance in
Afghanistan and in Iraq;
(C) their willingness to contribute to international peace,
stability, and prosperity, especially in the greater Middle
East region; and
(D) their continued discussions with officials in the
United States and Iraq regarding constructive stabilization
efforts in northern Iraq.
Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, today marks the 84th anniversary of the
founding of the Republic of Turkey. It is an auspicious occasion to
commemorate the abiding and enduring partnership between two great
nations.
In 1923, following the collapse of the 600-year-old Ottoman Empire
and a 3-year war of independence, a Turkish World War I hero, Mustafa
Kemal, helped found the Republic of Turkey. Kemal, who was later given
the name Ataturk, meaning ``father of the Turks,'' rejected the
crumbling structures and outdated modes of empire and embraced instead
a platform of reform and modernization, a legacy that continues in
Turkey to this day and to this hour.
Today Turkey is the most successful example in the Muslim world of a
secular representative democracy. Turkey's economy has grown at a
record pace in recent years to become the world's 19th largest.
Literacy and education rates continue to climb, as life expectancy has
improved and poverty rates have declined. Turkey stands as an
inspiration to reformers in the greater Middle East and throughout the
world.
Turkey has been a consistent and loyal ally of the people of the
United States. From World War II, when Turkey entered the fight on the
side of the allies, to the cementing of the United States-Turkish
alliance in the 1947 Truman doctrine to Turkey's accession to the North
American Treaty Organization in 1952, Turkey has been a friend of the
American people.
During the long Cold War, Turkey was a bulwark on the edge of the
Iron Curtain, and it was a critical ally. Turkey later helped the
United States to
[[Page S13525]]
patrol the no-fly zones over Iraq after the first Persian Gulf war and
aided the U.S. Armed Forces in Afghanistan after the September 11
attacks.
Turkey, which has the second largest army in NATO, commanded the
International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan twice, in 2002
and 2005, and Turkish troops continue to contribute to security efforts
there.
It is difficult to overstate the critical importance of Turkey's
cooperation with United States missions in the region. United States
Defense Secretary Robert Gates recently estimated that 70 percent--let
me say that again, 70 percent--of the air cargo deployed into Iraq to
support United States troops there transits through airbases in Turkey.
I perhaps should say that again. It is difficult to overstate the
critical importance of Turkey's cooperation with United States missions
in the region. United States Defense Secretary Robert Gates recently
estimated that 70 percent of the air cargo deployed into Iraq to
support United States troops there transits through airbases in Turkey.
Turkey, as a predominantly Muslim country with an important bilateral
relationship with Israel, seeks to play a constructive role in Middle
East peace negotiations and continues to be an important ally in a
dangerous and turbulent region. Turkey occupies a strategically
critical territory between Europe and Asia, bordering such challenging
neighbors as Iran, Syria, and Iraq.
Furthermore, I say, as the United States increasingly looks to
diversify its sources of energy, it is important for us to remember
that Turkey forms a crucial energy corridor to the West, capable of
bringing oil and natural gas from the steppes of Eurasia to the shores
of the Mediterranean Sea.
Turkey is, in short, central to the interests of the United States.
Now is a good time to be reminded of that fact, as tensions build in
the Kurdish region and tempers flare over the proper words to use to
describe a century-old tragedy. Whatever one's views may be about that
tragedy--politically, economically, geographically, strategically, and
militarily--as our soldiers--our soldiers, U.S. soldiers, American
soldiers--are in harm's way in Iraq and Afghanistan, the United States
can ill-afford to lose such an important friend and ally as Turkey.
This is a critical moment for Turkey. The Turkish people recently
elected a new government, led by Prime Minister Erdogan and President
Abdullah Gul. Let me say that once more. This time I think I can say
that better. This is a critical moment for Turkey. The Turkish people
recently elected a new government led by Prime Minister Erdogan and
President Abdullah Gul. These decisive elections demonstrated the
vibrant and healthy spirit of Turkey's democracy and the commitment of
Turkey's people to the democratic process. However, the young
government is facing a number of serious challenges as it
simultaneously seeks to guard against a very real threat from Kurdish
terrorists, assuage Turkish nationalists and the military, and maintain
the secular character of the State, all while continuing Turkey's bid
for European Union membership. We should offer the Turkish Government
all the support we can give in these noble endeavors.
Much like the United States, Turkey continues to struggle with the
darker moments of its history. The terrible treatment of Armenians
prior to and during the first World War, as well as the treatment of
other minorities, including Greeks, Alevis, and Kurds, is a matter that
continues to haunt the people of Turkey. In recent years, however,
there have been encouraging signs: historians conferences, attempts to
improve relations with Armenia, and growing acceptance of the Kurdish
language.
This is what free people and open democracies do. They debate and
they examine their history and the conscience of their people. Given
time and patience, their past can be confronted in a truthful and
candid way. Many of us would like to see more progress from Turkey in
this area. There continue to be issues about which our two countries
disagree. This should be no surprise. Members of the same family
disagree at times, and our best friends are often those who criticize
us most openly. But there is a time for criticism and a time for
praise, and criticism can be constructive. Today is a day to celebrate
the great Turkish nation and its people and to acknowledge the strong
ties that bind our countries together. That is the reason I am
cosponsoring a resolution with my colleague, Senator Gordon Smith--to
affirm the friendship and the alliance of the American and Turkish
peoples. May our ties continue to grow stronger with the passage of
time.
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