Turkey and Nato

Floor Speech

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Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, Turkey's leader has threatened to shut down Incirlik Air Base in retaliation for possible U.S. sanctions related to the Syrian border incursion and the House's acknowledgment of the Armenian genocide a century ago.

What a sad day for the Atlantic Alliance that has shouldered so many burdens and shared so much loss in blood and treasure.

Since the end of World War II, America has backed Turkey and her independence and freedom from Soviet domination, culminating with Turkey joining the Alliance in 1952.

I am an original cosponsor of Representative Kinzinger's United States-Turkey Relations Review Act. This bill would require us to carefully assess the options for relocating American personnel and assets from Incirlik Air Base.

Given Turkey's purchase of the Russian air defense system, the incursion in northeast Syria, and now threatening to close Incirlik, Turkey is not acting like a true and reliable partner. Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan's provocative behavior merits the U.S. and other NATO allies to consider our options in the region.

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