[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 192 (Wednesday, December 14, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2253-E2254]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           URGING TURKEY TO SAFEGUARD ITS CHRISTIAN HERITAGE

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 13, 2011

  Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, as a strong supporter of religious freedom, I 
share the desire of many of my colleagues that our international 
relationships and foreign policy should reflect our values. A legacy of 
intolerance and violent conflict is still palpable in Turkey, decades 
after the upheavals and population transfers that took place as the 
Ottoman Empire collapsed. Greeks, Armenians, Assyrians, and others 
still live with this legacy, and for many decades Turkey's government 
failed to account for it or to take any steps to recognize it.
  Yet, Turkey is undergoing profound and very hopeful changes today. 
The current Turkish leadership demonstrates an understanding of these 
changes. They are challenging entrenched, conservative orthodoxies and 
facing the past in ways that I believe we should encourage. That is why 
I cannot support the resolution before us today. It is out of step with 
the reality of today's Turkey, the U.S.-Turkish alliance, and the 
political realities in the Eastern Mediterranean.
  I am concerned that H. Res. 306 would not only send the wrong signal, 
it would cause the deterioration of a relationship with an important 
ally without advancing the laudable goal of religious freedom.
  The fact is, the Turkish government is moving in the right direction 
on this issue, and of their own accord. Prime Minister Erdogan of 
Turkey announced last August that his government would return hundreds 
of properties that were confiscated from religious minorities by the 
state or other parties since 1936, and would pay compensation for 
properties that were seized and later sold.
  I don't think such a gesture should be repaid by a sense of Congress 
that claims that ``the Republic of Turkey has been responsible for the 
destruction and theft of much of the Christian heritage within its 
borders'' and which accuses our strongest Muslim ally of ``official and 
unofficial acts of discrimination, intolerance, and intimidation.'' 
This is a government that has fought beside our soldiers in 
Afghanistan, and has provided training, overflight and logistical 
support that have been critical to the United States in Iraq.
  While we debate this resolution, we can't ignore the fact that Turkey 
has taken important steps forward regarding civil and political rights, 
and is even now developing a new constitution to reflect Turkey's 
diverse society and its aspirations to become a more active member of 
the global community. This orientation should be encouraged. The 
resolution before us, in my view, does nothing to encourage Turkey on 
that path, regardless of what its backers are claiming.
  Only in the last few months, Turkey has taken some very difficult and 
controversial steps that support the foreign policy of the United 
States. Perhaps the best example, and least well-known, is in Libya. 
While U.S. and N.A.T.O. forces were protecting Libyan civilians from a 
depraved dictator, the Republic of Turkey agreed to serve as a 
``protecting power'' on behalf of the United States. In that capacity 
they represented the United States in Libya, including acting as 
consular officers on behalf of U.S. citizens in Libya and looking after 
American diplomatic facilities in the country. They also fully 
supported our goal of protecting the Libyan opposition, and pledged 
financial and material support to NATO to bring about a free, 
democratic, secure, stable, and united Libya. Is this how we repay 
them?
  Another example of Turkey's positive role in the Mediterranean region 
is their government's decision to host a U.S. radar warning system in 
the southeastern region of the country. This is a landmark agreement 
for the alliance. NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen called 
the installation a ``critical contribution'' to the Alliance's efforts 
to address the growing threat of proliferation. This effort is not 
inconsistent with Turkey's leadership on issues of international 
security--only last month Turkey hosted an important international 
security conference on Afghanistan, and Turkey continues to participate 
in military and civilian efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
  And Turkey has also demonstrated a willingness to challenge 
undemocratic and despotic neighbors, despite the risk to its own 
economic interests. The Turkish government has imposed sanctions on the 
Assad regime in Syria, and erected trade barriers that will make it 
harder for the dictatorship to remain in place. And the Erdogan 
government has also distanced itself from Iran by pushing for secular, 
democratic governments in Egypt, Tunisia and Syria. These are not easy 
steps for the Turkish government to take--Iran and Syria account for 
much of Turkey's eastern border and a large part of its trade. But they 
are pushing ahead, because they share our concern for democratic 
values. Turkey's government is showing that there can be no real peace 
without moral principles.
  The resolution before us seems utterly ignorant of these critical 
developments. I cannot

[[Page E2254]]

support it, despite my profound wish that Turkey fully embrace the full 
diversity represented within its borders. Further, I would like to see 
the current government of Turkey--as well as the governments of Greece 
and Armenia--fully and fairly recognize the enduring pain that conflict 
and hatred have wrought in its territory. I feel that under Prime 
Minister Erdogan, that process of acceptance and accountability has 
begun. We in the United States Congress can support a process of 
authentic reconciliation, and we should.
  Turkey is our strong ally and friend. By shoring up our friendship, 
we can have discussions about the shortcomings we see in our ally. But 
this resolution fails to meet the basic standard of an enduring 
alliance, and therefore must oppose it.

                          ____________________