Mark Kirk: “The top priority of our foreign policy must be to protect Americans in uniform abroad. Our troops need allies to help…”

“The top priority of our foreign policy must be to protect Americans in uniform abroad. Our troops need allies to help shoulder the burden in Iraq. More allies will show the Iraqi people that the world community is strengthening its support for a new Iraqi democracy. Yesterday, the National Assembly of Turkey voted to authorize the deployment of at least 6,000 peacekeepers to Iraq. Turkey has long been a NATO ally, even as she borders Iraq, Syria, and Iran. Her soldiers fought next to ours in far-off Korea in support of the United Nations. Despite temporary problems, I thank Prime Minister Erdogan and Foreign Minister Gul for adding Turkey's peacekeeping troops to our mission of building a free and democratic Iraq.”