[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22963]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     TURKEY PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. C.A. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2007

  Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Madam Speaker, as a Member of the Intelligence 
Committee, I congratulate the nation of Turkey on its recent elections. 
On July 22, 2007, 43 million Turkish citizens--over 80 percent of 
Turkey's population--exercised their civic responsibility and went to 
the polls to elect Turkey's 550-member parliament for the next 5 years. 
The election occurred without incident or allegations of impropriety. 
With this election, Turkey affirmed that its democracy is alive and 
well, and provided an inspiring example to other nations in the region.
  The election will seat three parties in Parliament: the Justice and 
Development Party (AKP), the Republican People's Party (CHP), and the 
National Action Party (MHP). In addition, 27 seats will be filled by 
independents.
  Turkey's financial markets reacted with enthusiasm to the elections. 
On Monday, July 23, the Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) rose by 5.08 
percent, hitting a record high at one point during the day, reacting to 
expectations of continued stability and increased economic prosperity.
  Foreign governments and world leaders praised the election process as 
free and fair. Numerous major media outlets, including The Wall Street 
Journal and The New York Times here in the United States, published 
positive editorials praising the ``wisdom of the Turks'' and noting 
that ``democracy was affirmed.''
  America must cultivate and support our allies. We must reach out to 
moderate Muslim nations in the Middle East and build stronger 
relationships to repair our reputation abroad. Allies like Turkey can 
help foster economic and regional security. Turkey supports the Global 
War on Terrorism and is a critical ally in keeping nuclear weapons out 
of the hands of terrorists.
  As the only democracy in the Middle East with a predominantly Muslim 
population, the significance of this election cannot be understated. 
The U.S.-Turkey relationship is critical to both nations' security. 
Turkey is and will continue to be an important and strategic ally of 
the United States. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating 
Turkey on this impressive achievement of democracy.

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