AMBASSADOR'S REMARKS AND PUBLIC EVENTS

Opening Remarks by US Ambassador to Turkey Ross Wilson at a conference on the History of American-Turkish Relations 1833-1989

Bogazici University
Istanbul, Turkey, June 5, 2006

Rectors Soysal and Buyukburc, Professor Onulduran, my good friend Ferit Sahenk – congratulations again and thank you for taking on the presidency of TAIK, Selcuk Esenbel, professors, scholars and distinguished guests.

I am deeply honored to be asked to help open this conference on the history of Turkish-American relations.  It’s wonderful to be here, and not just because Istanbul is such a beautiful city.  Today, you will begin one of the most comprehensive discussions ever of the historical relationship between our two countries.

It is fitting that work starts here at Bogazici University, whose American roots date back to 1863 and which in some respects is emblematic of the ties that have been nurtured among our societies and peoples.  I am also glad that this conference will conclude at Harran University, which I had the opportunity to visit last week.  Moving to Harran helps reinforce what we at the embassy have been trying to do to get out of traditional circles in Ankara and Istanbul and engage more effectively with the great diversity of this country.  Rectors Soysal and Buyukburc, thank you for your support and that of your institutions. 

The conference organizers framed the period for assessment as 1833 to 1989.  In 1833, the United States and the Ottoman Empire signed a Treaty of Commerce and Navigation that spoke of “sentiments of friendship” and formalized ties between our two countries.  In 1989, the Berlin Wall fell.  Certainly this was a turning point in the history of NATO and of Europe.

The various papers and panel discussions that will take place in coming days will examine some of the higher and lower points over this 160 year span of time.  One highlight has to have been the 1863 founding of Robert College – this institution. 

To get a personal sense of some of the history, I called several days ago on former Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, who told me that his own researches turned up no less than 130 US government diplomatic and consular posts that existed throughout the Ottoman Empire.  Getting that researched would be a big, but fascinating job.

World War I and the interwar years were complicated periods for the people of this country and for US-Turkish relations.  I hope you will be looking at the good and perhaps not so good aspects of that history.  When, after World War II, Stalin threatened eastern Turkey and the Bosporus, we took a giant step forward and signed the North Atlantic Treaty binding our countries to defend and protect one another.

Marshall Plan aid was a big part of our support for Turkey at that time.  In the sixty years since the end of World War II, the United States has provided to Turkey Marshall Plan, economic and security assistance worth over 54 billion in 2004 dollars.  The head of the German Marshall Fund in Turkey, Suat Kiniklioglu, told me that the TRT holds old newsreels made of the Marshall Plan.  They might also be an interesting subject of study.

Reflecting our shared security commitment on the front lines against the Soviet Union, the United States supported Turkey with military personnel here – apparently reaching a peak of over 30,000 US troops at Incirlik, Izmir and other installations around the country.  Although I’m proud of that, I am even happier that today we have a leaner presence stationed here of about 2400 US military personnel.

Turkey returned the favor, committing real resources to the defense of peace and freedom.  The story of Korea is well known.  We collaborated closely as the Soviet Union collapsed to provide help and advice to newly independent countries in the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Turkey was a key coalition partner against Iraqi aggression in 1992, and its actions helped save hundreds of thousands of Iraqi Kurdish refugees fleeing Saddam's wrath after the Kurdish uprising in 1991.  Turkey facilitated Operations Provide Comfort and Northern Watch that contained Saddam Hussein and set the stage for his removal.

In more modern times, thousands more Turkish troops have served in the Bosnian, Kosovo and Afghanistan peacekeeping forces, including especially during the two stints when Turkey commanded ISAF.

I look forward to getting a set of the papers prepared for this conference.  Thank you to all of you work worked on them; I hope this conference is useful for you, as well. 

Let me thank all of the supporters of this event.  Rectors Ayse Soysal and Ugur Buyukburc have offered their universities’ facilities and other resources.  The Fulbright Commission has, as always, been very helpful.  TAIK has demonstrated that good business relations are underpinned by a good understanding of our shared histories. Koc Holding has been generous in its support, and I am proud also that the US Department of State has been able to help, as well.

Let me congratulate all of you and wish you the very best.