Ambassador's Remarks and Public events
Ambassador James Jeffrey Discusses U.S.-Turkey Relations
CO.NX webchat transcript
April17, 2009 at 16:00 pm (Ankara)
Ambassador James F. Jeffrey, U.S. envoy for Turkey, answered questions in a CO.NX webchat on the next steps for U.S.-Turkey relations and other international issues such as clean energy, Afghanistan and Somalia.
Following is the transcript:
U.S. Department of State
Bureau of International Information Programs
Webchat Transcript
CO.NX Webchat: Ask the Ambassador – Ankara, Turkey
Guest: Ambassador James F. Jeffrey
Date: April 17, 2009
Time: 10 a.m. EDT (14:00 GMT)
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Hello and welcome! If you are just joining us, you may introduce yourself to the group if you'd like to.
Comment (Dunya Gazetesi 2): hello.
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Hello, welcome.
Comment (ghulam ali murtaza): I am Ghulam Ali Murtaza from Pakistan. Huriyat Daily.
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Welcome.
Comment (CUMHURYET): My name is Bahadr Selim Dilek. I'm working for Cumhuriyet daily.
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Welcome to you, we are glad you are online with us today. We expect the Ambassador to join us in about 30 minutes.
Comment (mert): I’m from Turkey.
Comment (Yunus Ali): Hi :)
Comment (Dunya Gazetesi): I am Özüm, from Dunya Newspaper, how are you all?
Comment (ghulam ali murtaza): Hi, Yunis.
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Hello everyone! I am Mark, the webchat moderator. I am in Washington, D.C here at the U.S. State Department.
Question (Irem Koker): Hello all. I am Irem Koker from Hurriyet Online. Is it possible to submit questions now?
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Yes please do. We hope the Ambassador can get to as many of your questions as possible.
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Since we expect many questions on similar topics, please look for answers that go along with the questions you have submitted. The Ambassador will try to address as many of the issues you are bringing up as possible. We will make the transcript of today's chat available as well.
Comment (Hilal Köylü): Hello to all. I'm Hilal Köylü from Radikal Newspaper, Ankara office.
Question (Dunya Gazetesi): The ambassador will answer questions till... what time??
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): We expect the ambassador to be online for about 30 min. His time is limited but we will try to get to as many questions as possible. The transcript will also be available.
Comment (ghulam ali murtaza): Irem Koker, I really like Hurriyat Newspaper. I had followed it after the walkout of your PM from Davos. We here really care for it.
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Again welcome, if you have just joined us, please introduce yourself if you'd like to.
Comment (ghulam ali murtaza): Mark, ambassador time is too short.
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Ghulam, we hope this is the first of more webchats. I also want to let you and everyone know you can find out about other webchats at the CO.NX site: http://co-nx.state.gov or write to us at conx@state.gov.
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Everyone, is the font size large enough for you to read? Also, use the F11 key to increase the size of this screen.
Comment (Hilal Köylü): F11 key is great..:)) thanks
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Great glad to hear that.
Q (Hilal Köylü): and....this webchat implication is new, first?
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): This is the first CO.NX webchat we are conducting with Ambassador Jeffrey. CO.NX is also relatively new. We have been conducting international discussions since November of 2008.
Comment (ghulam ali murtaza): Great achievement.
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): You all can help shape the discussion in CO.NX, write to us at co.nx@state.gov, tell us what you want to discuss, suggest guest speakers, topics. And to those of you just joining us, welcome. Please introduce yourself if you'd like to.
Just a quick update: We expect the Ambassador to join us shortly. He will post a quick opening statement and then he will begin to review your questions. It may take some time for the answers to appear, please be patient as he reviews the questions and prepares answers.
Comment (zerin elci): Hello everyone, this is Zerin Elci from Reuters, Ankara.
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Hello, welcome!
Comment (Alice P. Wakefield): Hello I am Alice in Denizli. I am here on a Fulbright and LOVE Turkey. My Turkish colleague has been offered a job at East Tennessee State University for next year and I am trying to help her get an H1b visa.
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Hi Alice, great to see you online.
Comment (Duygu GUVENC): Hello
Comment (neyzeynep): hi, I'm Zeynep Gurcanli from Ankara.
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): The Ambassador is just getting logged in now. We will begin shortly.
James F. Jeffrey: Hello, I’m Ambassador James Jeffrey and I’m happy to be here with you today. Before we get to your questions, let me just say how pleased we were with the warm welcome Turks gave President Obama last week. His visit to Turkey was watched by the world and showed how important and vital the US-Turkey relationship is. In Istanbul, President Obama demonstrated his desire to reach out directly to the Turkish public by speaking with university students, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. I look forward to continuing that discussion today and beyond. So let’s get started.
Q (Hilal Köylü): My question is about Mr. Obama's message that he gave in Ankara. He defined Turkey as a Western country. We learned that he discussed this issue at his official meeting in Ankara. What did he really mean to call Turkey as a Western country?
Answer (James F. Jeffrey): Turkey has been part of the international system for centuries, is located in part in Europe, is a major NATO ally, a member of the EU Customs Union and a candidate state for EU membership, not to speak of its membership in other European institutions such as OSCE and Council of Europe. Thus it is obvious to us that Turkey is part of the West.
Q (Dunya Gazetesi 2): After the visit of US President Obama, are there going to be any consequences prescriptive for the development of economical relations between two countries?
A (James F. Jeffrey): Presidents Gul and Obama agreed to work more closely to expand two-way trade and investment, currently at about $15 billion annually. The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the US Embassy have already initiated discussions on how to move forward, and we are in contact with leading business figures from both countries.
Q (Cafer Tanriverdi): Dear Hilal Koylu: When I see your name and Zeynep Gurcanli, every time I am reading real news. Both of you are a good journalist. We haven’t met yet. I hope one day I catch that chance to meet you. Hello everyone. Ankara. My question request is not now, if we have time, end of the meeting, What is Turkey’s future next ten years?
A (James F. Jeffrey): A number of you have asked "What are the main foreign policy concerns of the Obama administration?"
President Obama and Vice President Biden have pledged a new era of American leadership, that includes efforts to end the war in Iraq responsibly, finish the fight against the Taliban and al Qaeda in Afghanistan, secure nuclear weapons and loose nuclear materials from terrorists, renew American diplomacy to support strong alliances, seek a lasting peace in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, promote better educational opportunities for the region’s children, address the issue of climate change, and demonstrate leadership to address the global financial crisis. The United States should be actively engaged in promoting these objectives because they are consistent with American ideals and interests.
President Obama does not expect full agreement, and will always stand for what we believe in, but he believes that disagreements can be handled through respectful dialogue. He is demonstrating commitment in his deeds, as well as words. For example, he signed Executive Orders closing the Guantanamo Detention Facility and provided guidelines on interrogation as well as appointing George Mitchell as Special Envoy for Middle East Peace. Special Envoy Mitchell is traveling to Europe and the Middle East to hear from key parties concerned and to listen carefully so that there is a greater understanding of the overall situation in the region.
Q (Arif Taskiran): Dear Mr. Ambassador, I'm a college student from Istanbul and I'm a wolf lover. U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar approved the former Bush Administration's plan to eliminate Endangered Species Act protections for wolves in Idaho and Montana. This decision could lead to the death of more than 600 wolves. Does it mean that the Federal Government is giving wolves a death sentence?
A (James F. Jeffrey): Actually, on the contrary, the wolf population has recovered and has grown to 5,500 because of the protection provided to wolves under the Endangered Species Act. As Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said recently, “The recovery of the gray wolf throughout significant portions of its historic range is one of the great success stories of the Endangered Species Act. Today, we have more than 5,500 wolves, including more than 1,600 in the Rockies. The successful recovery of this species is a stunning example of how the Endangered Species Act can work to keep imperiled animals from sliding into extinction."
Q (James F. Jeffrey): This question came to us in Turkish. The question was "As Earth Day approaches, what will the U.S. do to push for a greener world as the energy crisis grows?"
A (James F. Jeffrey): The energy challenges the world faces are severe and have gone unaddressed for far too long. In the case of America, our addiction to foreign oil doesn't just undermine our national security and wreak havoc on our environment -- it cripples our economy and strains the budgets of working families in America. President Obama and Vice President Biden have a comprehensive plan to invest in alternative and renewable energy, end our addiction to foreign oil, address the global climate crisis and create millions of new jobs.
This plan will strategically invest $150 billion over the next ten years to catalyze private efforts to build a clean energy future, save more oil than we currently import from the Middle East and Venezuela combined over the next ten years, put 1 million Plug-In Hybrid cars -- cars that can get up to 150 miles per gallon -- on the road by 2015, ensure 10 percent of our electricity comes from renewable sources by 2012, and 25 percent by 2025, and implement an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050. Building on this, we will engage the international community both bilaterally and in appropriate conferences to ensure we develop a global approach, as no one country can solve this alone.
Q (Duygu GUVENC): We know that the US welcomes Turkish contribution in Afghanistan but would you tell us whether the US asks Turkey to send some combat forces to Afghanistan? During the withdrawal from Iraq, do you think that the US will need Turkish cooperation? Is General Mullen coming to Ankara about these military issues?
A (James F. Jeffrey): All NATO forces in Afghanistan carry out military missions that could involve defending against attacks. Turkish forces have played a major role in securing the population, assisting development programs, and winning the trust of Afghanis since their arrival, and we are very appreciative of Turkey's efforts.
Regarding the withdrawal from Iraq, the US Army European Commander, General Ham, recently told reporters "we are not aware of any plans by CENTCOM to withdraw troops through Turkey, but we appreciate Turkey's support in this process." On Admiral Mullen, I'll have to ask you to contact the Pentagon.
CO.NX Moderator (Sarah): Thank you all for your questions. We see them coming in, and Ambassador Jeffrey will answer as many as he can. Please also note that this is a text only webchat (no video or audio).
CO.NX Moderator (Sarah): Here is a question that has come in to us from Soner. “Bush döneminde PKK bitirilecek sözü verildi,hala bitmedi,Obama döneminde bu söz geçerlimi,PKK terör örgütünün kökü kazlacakm?”
A (James F. Jeffrey): We have a variety of actions in support of Turkish military operations to help our NATO ally Turkey protect itself against attacks from across the border. The Turkish military operations have been very successful, but we are constantly in contact with the Turkish authorities on what further steps we can take with the authorities in Iraq and in support of the Turkish military to ensure a secure Turkey.
CO.NX Moderator (Sarah): We will continue with just a couple more questions. Thank you for your patience.
Q:[A question from email]: "What will the U.S. do to counter the Somali Pirates?”
A (James F. Jeffrey): As you have seen, we have taken decisive action when required to forestall specific attacks. Many other countries, including Turkey, have deployed naval units for the same goal. In addition, as Secretary Clinton announced yesterday, the State Department is taking four immediate steps as we move forward with a broader counter-piracy strategy.
First, we will send an envoy to attend the international Somali peacekeeping and development meeting scheduled in Brussels.
Second, Secretary Clinton has called for immediate meetings with our partners in the International Contact Group on Piracy to develop an expanded multinational response.
Third, Secretary Clinton has tasked a diplomatic team to engage with Somali Government officials from the Transitional Federal Government as well as regional leaders in Puntland. We will press these leaders to take action against pirates operating from bases within their territories.
And fourth, because it is clear that defending against piracy must be the joint responsibility of governments and the shipping industry, Secretary Clinton has directed our State Department team to work with shippers and the insurance industry to address gaps in their self-defense measures.
CO.NX Moderator (Sarah): Another question: “What kind of message is the Obama administration sending to Turkish leaders regarding its relationship to Sudanese President Al-Bashir, who stands accused of waging genocide against the people of Darfur?”
A (James F. Jeffrey): President Obama has made clear his intentions to work with the international community to end the suffering in Darfur. That means supporting the full, unobstructed deployment of the joint African Union/United Nations peacekeeping force and the negotiation of a political solution that will give the people of Darfur a meaningful voice in the decisions that affect their future. The Government of Sudan’s disastrous decision to expel humanitarian relief organizations leaves a void that will be filled by deprivation and despair, and they will be held accountable for the lives lost.
The United States will work to bring peace to Darfur, and will continue to work with both parties to ensure the full and complete implementation of Sudan’s Comprehensive Peace Agreement. All parties must see this through if Sudan and the surrounding region are to enjoy lasting stability. The United States encourages Turkey to support the international community’s efforts to finding a solution to ending the suffering in Darfur.
We will not stand in the way of international criminal court action against President Al-Bashir.
Q (alice): Obama pledged to recognize the Armenian Genocide. Will you and President Obama bow down to Turkish pressures like previous presidents did?
A (James F. Jeffrey): I discussed this in my most recent “Ask the Ambassador” question/answer session, but since then President Obama visited Turkey and clearly stated his support for a constructive solution between Turkey and Armenia. At this moment, our focus is on how, moving forward, the U.S. can help Armenia and Turkey work together to develop a common future of peace, security, and prosperity and to come to terms with their shared past. And we are encouraged by recent Turkish and Armenian efforts in this area.
As President Obama said during a press availability with President Gul on April 6th, “I want to be as encouraging as possible around those negotiations which are moving forward and could bear fruit very quickly very soon” and “If they can move forward and deal with a difficult and tragic history, then I think the entire world should encourage them.” In addition, President Obama noted, “I don’t want to, as the President of the United States, preempt any possible arrangements or announcements that might be made in the near future. I just want to say that we are going to be a partner in working through these issues in such a way that the most important parties, the Turks and the Armenians, are finally coming to terms in a constructive way.”
Thanks so much for the many questions. I am sorry we could not answer them all, but I appreciate the opportunity to have such exchanges, and hope to do another one very soon. -- Ambassador James Jeffrey
Comment (Hilal Köylü): Thanks ambassador....You were great... :)) I'll write this story on my blog: http://www.noteshilal.blogspot.com.
Comment (Dunya Gazetesi): thank you…
Comment (CUMHUR?YET): Thank you..
Comment (zerin elci): Thank you, Ambassador.
Comment (ghulam ali murtaza): turkey has been long friend of Pakistan, time tested one
Comment (Cafer Tanriverdi): Thanks Ambassador James Jeffrey. I loved Turkey's definition section.
Comment (Duygu GUVENC): Thanks very much
Comment (neyzeynep): Ambassador, thank you
Comment (Hilal Köylü): Many thanks to conx also.
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Thank you all for your patience and for joining us today. We hope to offer more online discussions soon. Please write to us at conx@state.gov or visit http://co-nx.state.gov to learn about upcoming chat sessions.
CO.NX Moderator (Sarah): The Webchat is now closed. We wish to thank Ambassador James Jeffrey for joining us today. A transcript of today's webchat will be posted to http://co-nx.state.gov and to http://www.america.gov/multimedia/askamerica.html within two business days.