[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Page 24547]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



SENATE RESOLUTION 198--EXPRESSING SYMPATHY FOR THOSE KILLED AND INJURED 
 IN THE RECENT EARTHQUAKES IN TURKEY AND GREECE AND COMMENDING TURKEY 
AND GREECE FOR THEIR RECENT EFFORTS IN OPENING A NATIONAL DIALOGUE AND 
              TAKING STEPS TO FURTHER BILATERAL RELATIONS

  Ms. SNOWE (for herself, Mr. Helms, Mr. Sarbanes, Mr. Biden, and Mr. 
Byrd) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and 
agreed to:

                              S. Res. 198

       Whereas in the wake of the tragic earthquakes which struck 
     Turkey on August 17, 1999, leaving up to 16,000 dead, 24,000 
     injured, and 100,000 homeless, and Greece on September 7, 
     1999, killing 143, injuring 1,600, and leaving 16,000 
     homeless, an improvement of relations between Turkey and 
     Greece has occurred;
       Whereas within hours of the earthquake hitting Turkey, 
     Greece sent rescue teams, doctors, firemen, and emergency 
     supplies to Turkey;
       Whereas immediately after the earthquake struck Greece, 
     Turkey, already dealing with its own devastation, sent rescue 
     personnel to Greece;
       Whereas in July, senior foreign ministry officials of 
     Greece and Turkey held talks, the first talks at this level 
     since 1994, to discuss bilateral cooperation in the fields of 
     tourism, the environment, trade, and the economy as well as 
     cooperation in combating organized crime, illegal 
     immigration, drug-trafficking, and terrorism;
       Whereas in September 1999, a second round of talks between 
     senior foreign ministry officials of Greece and Turkey were 
     held as a follow-up to the July meeting, and a third round 
     has been planned for October 1999;
       Whereas this spirit of cooperation has led to a warming of 
     relations and confidence building measures, including--
       (1) a naval vessel of Greece calling at a port of Turkey 
     for the first time in more than a century;
       (2) Greek and Turkish news commentators agreeing to publish 
     their columns in each other's newspapers;
       (3) Greece indicating that it is prepared to accept the 
     candidacy of Turkey for membership in the European Union as 
     long as Turkey meets all criteria for membership in the 
     Union; and
       (4) Turkey and Greece praising the other for earthquake 
     assistance; and
       Whereas the desire to further cultivate relations between 
     Turkey and Greece has created an atmosphere of hope: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) expresses sympathy for those killed and injured in the 
     recent earthquakes in Greece and Turkey;
       (2) commends, encourages, and supports recent efforts by 
     Greece and Turkey to improve bilateral relations between 
     those countries; and
       (3) reiterates the importance of promoting positive 
     bilateral relations between Greece and Turkey, which are of 
     paramount interest to the United States.

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