AMBASSADOR'S REMARKS AND PUBLIC EVENTS

Ambassador Ross Wilson Answers Questions From NTV

Izmir, June 26, 2006 

QUESTION:  How does the USA find Turkish-Greek relations these days? They seem to be getting closer after some problems.

 

AMBASSADOR WILSON:  I think over the course of the last several years, Turkey’s relations with Greece have improved quite significantly.  We appreciate that; we like that.  Both Turkey and Greece are allies of the United States.  So to the extent that they are good and friendly and improving relations, I think that’s something we see as in our interest.

 

QUESTION:  Concerning the European Union negotiations, what does the USA think about Turkey’s position?

 

AMBASSADOR WILSON:  The United States has supported Turkey’s bid to begin accession talks with the European Union for many, many years, actually for decades.  We worked very hard last October -- Secretary Rice personally did -- with European governments, also with the Turkish Government to try to bring together the agreement that led to the opening of talks on October 3.  This is something we strongly support.

 

QUESTION:  I want to ask you about the instability in markets.  What is your opinion of the instability in the Turkish markets?

 

AMBASSADOR WILSON:  Clearly there is a certain amount of turbulence in global financial markets right now.  And there is a little bit more turbulence in what we call emerging market economies, of which Turkey is one.  The patterns that we see in Turkey broadly fit the patterns that we see in a number of other emerging market economies that have made a lot of strides in recent years in instituting economic reforms and strengthening economic management.  Turkey has, I think, managed this relatively well so far.  We believe that the economic fundamentals are sound.  The Government has a handle on the problems. It clearly understands the problems and issues that it has to deal with.

 

QUESTION:  There was an article in the New York Times today saying that the USA will withdraw its troops from Iraq.  What do you think about this article?

 

AMBASSADOR WILSON:  I am not really in a position to comment on the article.  President Bush has said repeatedly that American forces will remain in Iraq as long as it is necessary for them to be there, as long as the Iraqi people want them to be there, as long as the Iraqi Government wants them to be there.  I gather from this report that there is some alleged discussion going on about possible future plans.  I think the important principle is the President of the United States has made very clear our commitment to see Iraq through to success.

 

QUESTION:  Last question.  What about breaking the resistance in Iraq?  Will the USA want support from Saddam Hussein?

 

AMBASSADOR WILSON:  I think the idea that we would look to Saddam Hussein for support or assistance of any kind is absurd.  Saddam Hussein is a murderer, a mass murderer.  He dragged his country to ruin.  What he represents is exactly the opposite of what Iraq wants, what the Iraqi people want, and where Iraq is headed, which is in the direction of a free and democratic country that enjoys peaceful and stable relations with its neighbors including, of course, especially Turkey.

 

Thank you.