[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 91 (Thursday, June 9, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E876]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  CONCERNS ABOUT TURKISH CIVIL SOCIETY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DAVID SCOTT

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 9, 2016

  Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today out of concern 
for the welfare of one of our most important NATO allies; the Republic 
of Turkey. I need not remind this House that Turkey is an indispensable 
ally in the fight against ISIL, and the effort to restore stability in 
the Middle East. Nor do I need to remind the members of this body that 
Turkey bears a burden of biblical proportions as it struggles to safely 
host almost three million refugees while simultaneously defending 
against an unprecedented wave of terror attacks. The geopolitical 
vicissitudes in Turkey's vicinity present the most serious challenge to 
Turkish territorial integrity since the founding of the Republic.
  However, history has consistently shown that great civilizations do 
not fall to outside forces unless they are rife with internal turmoil. 
Under its current leadership, Turkey has regrettably embarked in a 
troubling direction. Once considered the shining example of a vibrant 
democracy with the potential to mediate between the Middle East and 
West, crackdowns on civil society under President Erdogan have forced 
many of us to reassess the nature of our countries' partnership. 
Repressive policies against political opposition, journalists, and 
women rights advocates constitute just a few of these concerns. 
Questionable use of antiterrorism laws to molest financial 
institutions, corporations, and academics associated with political 
opposition such as the Gulen movement raise concerns about Turkey's 
continued commitment to democratic principles. In a robust republic, 
civic organizations such as the Gulen movement cannot and should not be 
designated as terrorist organizations without evidence for the sake of 
political expediency.
  There can be no doubt about America's continued commitment to defend 
our NATO allies; nor can we forget the substantial military buildup in 
Armenia, where Putin has deployed advanced fighter aircraft and attack 
helicopters just 25 miles from the Turkish border. This is the same 
NATO border that Russian military aircraft have regularly violated, 
culminating in the downing of a Russian bomber by Turkish defense 
forces. However, we must not forget the prerequisite requirements to be 
a member of the NATO alliance; that each member of the alliance be 
``determined to safeguard the freedom, common heritage and civilization 
of their peoples, founded on the principles of democracy, individual 
liberty and the rule of law.'' It is my hope that President Erdogan's 
administration will remember this commitment to democratic principles 
even in the face of regional instability.