[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 99 (Thursday, June 14, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H5185-H5186]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1645
                         TURKEY: FRIEND OR FOE

  (Mr. POE of Texas asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)

[[Page H5186]]

  

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, our supposed Turkish allies are 
holding Americans hostage.
  At least two Americans, Andrew Brunson and Serkan Golge, are being 
held by the Turkish regime on false charges. Dictator Erdogan, an 
Islamist who has arrested thousands of Turks who oppose him, believes 
that he can use imprisoned Americans as bargaining chips. He hopes that 
he can trade American hostages for political opponents who fled 
Turkey's dictatorship.
  Even if the individuals Erdogan wanted had clearly committed crimes, 
which there is absolutely no evidence they have, we should never engage 
in rewarding Turkey for taking hostages.
  Erdogan has proven he has no respect for the rule of law and, 
instead, rules by fear. We must not assist him in his destruction of 
democracy in Turkey.
  American hostages like Pastor Andrew Brunson, who has been held for 
more than 600 days, must be returned. Until then, the United States 
needs to reevaluate whether Turkey wants to be considered a friend or 
foe.
  And that is just the way it is.

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