[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 167 (Thursday, October 12, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E964]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    NATO SUPPORTS UKRAINE AND ISRAEL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 12, 2023

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, this past 
weekend, I was grateful to participate with the U.S. Delegation for the 
NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Copenhagen, Denmark, led by Delegation 
Chairman Mike Turner and Assembly former President Gerry Connolly.
  On Friday, the focus was on war criminal Putin's murderous invasion 
of Ukraine. NATO and the European Union have surpassed America with aid 
for Ukraine and incredibly Finland is now a NATO member with an 830-
mile border with Russia, as Sweden gives up 200 years of neutrality to 
stop dictators. The West is united as never before in history to 
protect democracies.
  On Saturday, with the sadistic invasion of Israel, there was 
extraordinary unanimity supporting Israel's territorial integrity. 
Clearly the axis of dictatorships of Putin, the regime in Tehran, and 
the Chinese Communist Party, had collaborated again with the invasion 
from Gaza. Sadly, the war we did not choose, Dictatorship with Rule of 
Gun against Democracies with Rule of Law, is proceeding and must be 
faced with Peace Through Strength.
  On Sunday, Resolutions were presented from the five standing 
committees with amendments to be considered with debate. 
Parliamentarian Michal Szczerba of Poland presented Towards 
Reconstruction of Ukraine emphasizing payment by seized Russia assets, 
while Parliamentarian Njall Fridbertsson of Iceland explained 
Enhancement of Protection of allied critical maritime infrastructure.
  Senator Rodrigue Demeuse of Belgium proposed the resolution on 
Protecting Allied Democracies from Disinformation with provisions for 
addressing war crimes. Assemblyman Utku Cakirozer of Turkiye explained 
implementing NATO's new Deterrence and Defense Baseline. It is crucial 
we continue to stand with Turkiye as it is attacked by terrorists, just 
as we defeat the barbarian terrorists of Gaza. MP Alec Shelbrooke of 
Britain presented a Resolution Strengthening Stability and Security to 
the Black Sea Region following Russia's invasion, emphasizing grain 
deliveries for Egypt and African countries which are being destroyed by 
war criminal Putin.
  On Monday, unanimously provided statements were issued supporting 
Israel as Iran's chants of Death to Israel, Death to America unfolded. 
Resolutions previously presented unanimously of 27 countries present 
were inspiring for the courageous citizens of Ukraine and Israel. There 
was unprecedented solidarity for freedom, democracy, and rule of law.
  Stirring addresses were made of determined support for Ukraine and 
Israel for territorial integrity by NATO Parliamentary Assembly 
President Michal Szczerba, Danish Parliamentary Speaker Soren Gade 
compared the Hamas attack to 9/11 and Pearl Harbor, Danish Prime 
Minister Mette Frederiksen expressed concern that many are naive as to 
Russia and China, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised 
Israel's resolve and thanked all for help to Ukraine, Deputy Secretary 
General of NATO Mircea Geoana cited Europeans killed by Iran proxy 
Hamas in Israel, with NATO Supreme Allied Commander Transformation 
General Philippe Lavigne emphasizing importance of all countries to 
reach two percent for defense to achieve Peace Through Peace.
  The sessions concluded with presenting the 2023 `Women for Peace and 
Security' award to Leader of Democratic Belarus Sviatlana 
Tsikhanouskaya who courageously works for a democratic Belarus and 
political prisoner release including her husband.

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