[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6480]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 BULGARIA'S BASES WELCOME U.S. MILITARY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 27, 2006

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, The Washington Times 
reported this week that ``Bulgaria has agreed to open three military 
bases for permanent use by 2,500 U.S. troops who will be available for 
combat in the Middle East and other nearby regions.''
  While this may be the ``first time Bulgaria has authorized the 
stationing of foreign forces on its soil in its 1,325-year history,'' 
this is not the first time Bulgaria has demonstrated its willingness to 
help our country in the Global War on Terrorism. Over 400 Bulgarian 
troops have bravely served alongside our troops in Iraq. Defense 
Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has been successful in recruiting allies. By 
welcoming U.S. troops to their bases, Bulgaria has once again helped 
our military forces fight terrorists in Iraq and Afghanistan so that we 
do not have to face them on the streets of America.
  As the Co-Chair of the Congressional Bulgaria Caucus, along with 
Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher, I sincerely appreciate our strong 
partnership with Bulgaria as a valued member of NATO which hosts today 
the NATO foreign ministers in Sofia including Secretary of State 
Condoleezza Rice.
  In conclusion, God bless our troops and we will never forget 
September 11th.

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