WASHINGTON D.C. - A total of 38 members of the U.S. Congress sent a letter to Prime Minister Abdullah Gul on Saturday and thanked him for parliamentary permission, which was given to the United States for renovation, development and construction of bases and ports.
In their letter, U.S. deputies including Robert Wexler, one of the founders of Turkish Friendship Group at the U.S. House of Representatives, and Tom Lantos, who supported Turkey during the debate at the U.S. congress on allegations about so-called Armenian genocide, said that they, as sound supporters of Turkish-American relations, were grateful to the Turkish parliament for its decision to allow the United States to use bases and ports.
Noting that most of the Congress members welcomed Turkey's decision, the letter noted that Prime Minister Gul had displayed leadership, foresight and wisdom while guiding the parliament to take such an important decision.
U.S. deputies said in their letter that they appreciated Turkish government's efforts to find a peaceful solution to the recent Iraq crisis by calling on Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein to abide by resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.
Referring to a motion about deployment of foreign soldiers in Turkey and dispatch of Turkish soldiers abroad, U.S. deputies said that they were sure that Turkey would carefully asses the conditions in the region as an ally, democratic state and distinguished friend of the United States.
The letter stressed that strategic partnership between Turkey and the United States was based on values and mutual interests.
Stressing that the U.S. Congress and American people would never forget Turkish government's courage and foresight, U.S. deputies added that they would support and assist Turkey in the future.