Peter Visclosky: “I recognize the committee faced a number of very difficult issues, and I believe that they have done the very best job…”

“I recognize the committee faced a number of very difficult issues, and I believe that they have done the very best job possible. While I support the general thrust of the bill, I am very concerned about the specific issue of the current United States relationship with several countries located in the Caucasus, specifically Turkey, Greece, and Armenia. The committee has decided to provide assistance to all three countries and has conditioned some of the aid. This conditioned aid is a reasonable response by the United States to a difficult situation. However, I am concerned about the very unreasonable attitude Turkey has displayed with respect to the conditions that we are placing on our assistance. I would like to remind the House that last year this Chamber cut economic support fund assistance to Turkey on two separate votes. This year, the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Bilirakis], others and I will not be offering an amendment to cut United States assistance to Turkey. That decision, at least for myself, is based only on the firm understanding that Turkey will act responsibly during the next 12 months.”