AMBASSADOR'S REMARKS AND PUBLIC EVENTS

Ambassador Wilson’s Kanal 26 Interview “One Topic, One Guest” with Muharrem Esen

Eskisehir
December 13, 2007

Q:        Welcome, Mr. Ambassador. You are here today in Eskisehir to hold several meetings and we have been closely following your work. We know that you have visited several other provinces in Turkey. Since your appointment a year and a half ago, we know that you have been carrying out a very important duty to improve relations between US and Turkey.

Q:        What is your schedule in Eskisehir today?  Who will you meet?

Ambassador:    Thank you. It’s a pleasure to be here in Eskisehir and a pleasure to be on this program. I met earlier this morning with the Governor of Eskisehir. Later in the day, I’ll meet several business leaders from companies that have relationships with US: ALP and TEI. I’ll also meet with the Chamber of Industry.  We will also go to Anadolu University and talk with the rector and the students there.

My purpose of coming here is to show the interest of the US in this part of Turkey by talking with people, listening to what people have to say about common issues that are important in US-Turkish relations. I also want to build some new and stronger ties here through business, universities, and other private connections between the US and this important ally.

Q:        As I said before you have an important role to play in the relationship between Turkey and the US.  You are here as a representative of the US. So in that context, we can say that, after you took your position as the Ambassador, relations between Turkey and US have improved.  May we have your opinions about the recent relations between US and Turkey? How do they stand?

Ambassador:    Well, I think that we have made progress over the past couple of years. We certainly have found a number of important regional and international issues that are extremely important to the future collaboration of both our countries.

Both our countries have been touched, more than touched, deeply affected by terrorism. The decisions reached by President Bush and Prime Minister Erdogan are important.  Our support for Turkey in its struggle to defeat PKK terrorism is a very useful addition to our existing collaboration on the PKK, Al Qaeda, and a range of other terrorist groups.

We are working effectively on behalf of the successful united Iraq.  This was demonstrated in the Istanbul “Neighbors of Iraq” Conference that Secretary Rice attended. We’re working successfully together on behalf of peace between Israel and Palestine.  This was reflected by the Turkish Foreign Minister’s presence at the meeting that took place in Annapolis several weeks ago; this sets the stage for negotiations that will be very, very important in 2008. And we’ve also seen a significant increase in US investment here in the last twelve to eighteen months. And that reflects Turkey’s success since the 2001 crisis. It also reflects policy changes which Turkish authorities take strongly. In some areas we’ve been more successful than others, but overall our governments have been working very closely together, as the allies that we are.  

Q:        As NATO partners too, I believe both US and Turkey hope to continue with existing good relations. What is the US’s opinion regarding Turkey’s EU accession?

Ambassador:     The US strongly supports Turkey’s EU accession. We think it’ll be good for Turkey, it will be good for Europe as a whole, and it will be good for peace and stability in the region.

Q:        My last question will be, you define PKK and Al Qaeda as terrorist organizations.

Ambassador:    Yes, and there are many others.

Q:        The attacks in the US on Sept 11 were terrorist attacks, while Al Qaeda and PKK attacks against Turkey are also defined as terrorist acts, we know that. So in our collaboration, we can say that steps have been taken after the meeting between President Bush and PM Erdogan on Nov 5th. So could we say that there will be further steps, joint steps in the future in that direction?

Ambassador:    The US is committed to working hard and working as effectively as possible to help Turkey to eliminate the PKK, to deal with the problems that they present for Turkey, for Turkish-US relations, for Turkish relations with Iraq.  With regard to Iraq, I think we share the same common interest of helping to support a strong and successful united new country.

The President spoke about the assistance we are now providing, namely intelligence assistance, to the Turkish authorities. In the nature of intelligence cooperation, there are things that you don’t talk too much about publicly. President Bush is committed to doing what benefits the Turkish security forces as they work to protect the citizens of this country.

I’m not good at predicting the future so I don’t want to say, I can’t say what specific things may develop in a couple of weeks or even months. I can make the obvious statement that in order to defeat terrorism, whether it’s PKK, Al Qaeda or any other group, the US is committed to help our ally Turkey.

Q:        Would you say that the cooperation between the US and Turkey in the fight against terrorism will continue, that there will be even more close cooperation in the future?

Ambassador:    Well, I think our work together to defeat this common enemy can help to facilitate stronger collaboration between our countries with respect to Iraq.  Also there are other regional issues and problems where we share common interests.  This will be important for my work, for the US Embassy’s work.