III 

110TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 358 

Expressing the importance of friendship and cooperation between the United 

States and Turkey. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

OCTOBER 29, 2007 

Mr. SMITH (for himself and Mr. BYRD) submitted the following resolution; 

which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing the importance of friendship and cooperation 

between the United States and Turkey. 

Whereas the United States and Turkey share common ideals 

and a clear vision for the 21st century, in which freedom 

and democracy are the foundation of peace, prosperity, 

and security; 

Whereas Turkey is a strong example of a predominantly Muslim country with a true representative democratic government; 

Whereas for more than 50 years a strategic partnership has 

existed between the United States and Turkey, both bilaterally and through the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, which has been of enormous political, economic, 

cultural, and strategic benefit to both countries; 


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•SRES 358 IS 

Whereas the Government of Turkey has demonstrated its opposition to terrorism throughout the world, and has 

called for the international community to unite against 

this threat; 

Whereas Turkey maintains an important bilateral relationship with Israel and seeks to play a constructive role in 

Middle East peace negotiations; 

Whereas Operation Enduring Freedom entered its 6th year 

on October 7th, 2007; 

Whereas Turkey commanded the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan twice, from July 2002 to 

January 2003, and from February 2005 to August 2005; 

Whereas Turkey has provided humanitarian and medical assistance in Afghanistan and in Iraq; 

Whereas the Government of Turkey has made its base in 

Incirlik available for United States missions in Iraq and 

Afghanistan; 

Whereas Secretary of Defense Robert Gates credits United 

States air bases in Turkey with handling 70 percent of 

all air cargo deployed into Iraq; 

Whereas 95 percent of the Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protective 

vehicles (MRAPs) deployed into Iraq transit through air 

bases in Turkey; 

Whereas MRAPs protect coalition forces from improvised explosive devices and roadside bombs; 

Whereas the people of Turkey have been victims of terrorist 

attacks by Al-Qaeda on November 15, 2003, and November 20, 2003; 

Whereas the United States supports Turkey’s bid for membership in the European Union; and 


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•SRES 358 IS 

Whereas the Secretary of State has listed the Kurdistan 

Workers’ Party, which has taken up arms against Turkey 

since its founding, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in 

accordance with section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) reiterates its strong support for the stra3 tegic alliance between the United States and Turkey; 

4 (2) urges Prime Minister Recep Tayyip 

5 Erdogan of Turkey to communicate the continuing 

6 support of the Senate and of the people of the 

7 United States to the people of Turkey; 

8 (3) condemns the violent attacks conducted by 

9 the Kurdistan Workers’ Party over the last 2 dec10 ades; 

11 (4) urges Kurdish leaders in Iraq to deny safe 

12 harbor for terrorists and to recognize bilateral agree13 ments between Iraq and Turkey for cooperation 

14 against terrorism; 

15 (5) encourages the Government of Turkey and 

16 the Government of Iraq to continue to work together 

17 to end the threat of terrorism; and 

18 (6) thanks Prime Minister Erdogan and the 

19 people and Government of Turkey for— 

20 (A) assuming command of the Inter21 national Security Assistance Force in Kabul, 


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•SRES 358 IS 

1 Afghanistan from July 2002 to January 2003, 

2 and from February 2005 to August 2005; 

3 (B) providing humanitarian and medical 

4 assistance in Afghanistan and in Iraq; 

5 (C) their willingness to contribute to inter6 national peace, stability, and prosperity, espe7 cially in the greater Middle East region; and 

8 (D) their continued discussions with offi9 cials in the United States and Iraq regarding 

10 constructive stabilization efforts in northern 

11 Iraq. 

Æ 


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