[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Page 24557]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 24557]]

  EXPRESSING SYMPATHY FOR THOSE KILLED AND INJURED IN EARTHQUAKES IN 
                           TURKEY AND GREECE

  Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, on behalf of the majority 
leader, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the 
immediate consideration of S. Res. 198, submitted earlier by Senator 
Snowe.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 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 dialog and taking steps to 
     further bilateral relations.

  The Senate proceeded to consider the resolution.
  Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent 
that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion 
to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating 
to the resolution be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 198) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              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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