Ask the Ambassador

Ambassador: Every government must take into account the strategic needs of its people against the likelihood of success when determining whether to engage or isolate pariah regimes.  If ineffective, engagement can devolve into appeasement.  However, no country is impervious to financial and diplomatic pressure.  When testifying before Congress on U.S. policy toward Iran, Under Secretary of State Burns remarked “any effective diplomatic strategy must provide one’s adversary with exit doors when it paints itself into a diplomatic corner.”  I would encourage you to ready the entirety of his speech is available at : http://www.state.gov/p/us/rm/2007/81470.htm to better understand the U.S. position on the issue.

 Ambassador: Turkish troops in Afghanistan are part of NATO's ISAF force there. NATO has identified shortfalls in troops and capabilities there (e.g. helicopters) and has urged all Allies to do more to address the shortfalls. We appreciate Turkey's leadership role in Afghanistan, both militarily in ISAF and in terms of humanitarian and reconstruction assistance. NATO must be successful in Afghanistan and NATO is asking all Allies to do their utmost to ensure that success.

 Ambassador: The headscarf issue is an internal matter for Turkey.  We do not advocate any particular form of expression, including the wearing of a headscarf or any other religious clothing.  Whether or not to wear a headscarf is an individual choice for women to make.

Ambassador: The United States regards Turkey and the people of Turkey as friends and allies. We are encouraged by this country’s great political and economic progress over its 84 years of modern existence that is providing opportunity for all of its peoples.

President Bush stated on November 5 that the PKK is an enemy of the United States, of Iraq and of Turkey. We are focused on working with our Turkish allies and partners in Iraq against that violent, terrorist enemy.

The United States did not ratify Kyoto because it did not include developing countries and it would have harmed the US economy without accomplishing its goals. We believe that to foster a truly sustainable global approach to climate change, international climate actions must accommodate the different regional and national circumstances, and should be considered together with economic and other sustainable development goals. Towards that end, President Bush hosted the Major Economies Conference in Washington, bringing together the 16 largest world economies, the United Nations and the European Union to work towards a worldwide agreement on climate change.

The US is making significant investments for long-term progress on climate change; since 2001, the US Government has invested nearly $18 billion to develop cleaner sources of energy, renewable fuels and sources of electricity, and support for greater energy efficiency.The US is making significant investments for long-term progress on climate change; since 2001, the US Government has invested nearly $18 billion to develop cleaner sources of energy, renewable fuels and sources of electricity, and support for greater energy efficiency. In 2002, President Bush set an ambitious goal to reduce the greenhouse gas intensity of the U.S. economy (how much we emit per unit of economic activity) by 18% by 2012 – recent reports shown that we are on track to meet and possibly exceed the goal. President Bush has demonstrated his commitment to the search for alternative energy in his "20-in-10 Initiative," in which he has set the goal of reducing US consumption of gasoline by 20% in 10 years, by the year 2017. The US Department of Energy is co-hosting a Clean Energy Technologies Conference in Istanbul in November and bringing some of our top experts to Turkey to describe our newest clean coal, hydro, wind, solar and other energy technologies.

  Ambassador: Turkey’s preliminary MOU on possible gas cooperation with Turkey is of concern for two reasons.

 Ambassador: Our annual Independence Day receptions are an opportunity to celebrate the birth of American democracy, as well as our diverse and complicated history and culture. It is also a time to thank Turks from all walks of life for their deeply appreciated friendship and support as well as to reiterate our commitment to our bilateral relationship with Turkey. At events in Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir and Adana this year, we were pleased to host well over 3000 friends and colleagues from academia, politics, the military, diplomacy, business, science, journalism and many other fields. As in years past, this included a wide range of present and past leaders in various parts of Turkish society. We were honored by their participation.

The United States government takes no sides in the partisan debates among Turkey’s political parties. Our only candidate and cause is the ballot box, which holds the key to this country’s future as a strong, prosperous, democratic and secular republic, and it would be inappropriate for the United States or any outside entity to be involved in the partisan choices that the Turkish people need to make for themselves in elections.

Ambassador: Congratulations on your success in producing high quality footwear and interest in exporting. Turkish firms have had succegss in the US market, but I want to see America more enriched by the products Turkey has to offer.  The Turkish Undersecretariat for Foreign Trade is one source of help. In addition, the US Mission here in Turkey is working with the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) and the US Chamber of Commerce to better connect Turkey’s dynamic small and medium size businesses with the United States. One result of our efforts is a Turkish-language handbook that was recently published, the Guide to Entering the US Market for Turkish Exporters (in Turkish). This handbook is a good starting place for any business interested in tapping into the large, and potentially very lucrative, US market.

In the past year alone, we have had face-to-face talks among senior officials at the working levels on a wide range of issues of common interest. We are partners today on Iraq, on Iran, on the Middle East, on the Caucasus and Central Asia, on Cyprus, on Turkey’s efforts to accede to the European Union, on energy development and diversification, in the fight against international terrorism and on many other issues. We are making progress in broadening and defining our relationship for the future, as evidenced by the "Shared Vision and Structured Dialogue" unveiled by Secretary Rice and Foreign Minister Gul in Washington this past July.

I believe that the Republic of Turkey and the United States will continue to be partners because we want the same things -- peace, prosperity, democracy and freedom. 

Ambassador: The United States has been a beacon of freedom and democratic values since its founding in revolution over 200 years ago. A central tenet of US foreign policy has long been the promotion of human rights, as embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights . Respect for human rights, the rule of law and democratic institutions helps to secure the peace, deter aggression, improve quality of life for everyone, encourage tolerance, combat crime and corruption, and prevent humanitarian crises.

As part of our efforts to promote human rights around the world we publish several annual reports, including the 2006 Human Rights Report (link) released on March 6.

As Secretary Rice recently said, we do not issue these reports because we think we are perfect, but rather because we know ourselves to be deeply imperfect, like all human beings and the endeavors that they make. Our democratic system of governance is accountable, but it is not infallible. We are nonetheless guided by enduring ideals: the inalienable rights of humankind and the principles of democracy toward which all people and all governments must continue striving. And that includes the US.

Ambassador: Since my arrival in Turkey, the improvement of our bilateral trade relationship has been one of my priorities. Specifically regarding US exports to Turkey, what I want to try to focus on is providing information to American firms about sales opportunities, purchase opportunities and investment opportunities here. I also want to work with the Turkish authorities to make sure that those US companies that are investing here succeed, and that they feel that they are being treated fairly.  Business investors tend to want to follow other successful investors.

The following link lists all of the major U.S. exports to Turkey from 2001 - 2005. You’ll see that cotton, soybeans and civilian aircraft are among the leading exports from the US to Turkey. It’s hard to say whether or not any increases listed are permanent, however, because this really depends on the preferences of Turkish consumers.

please also visit: Major US exports to Turkey 2001-2005

The US welcomes Turkish students. In fact there are more than 12,000 Turkish students enrolled at US colleges and universities -- the largest group from any European country and the eighth largest group worldwide, and the number of Turkish citizens studying in the US rose 9% last year.  

These figures show that we encourage Turkish students to come to the US to study, not only for their own professional and personal education but because Turkish students in the US enrich the communities they live in and help foster international understanding between Turks and Americans.

So if you are qualified, don't hesitate to apply to study in the US. Once you are accepted by an educational institution, be sure to visit the Consular section of our Web site for details on how to apply for a visa.

Ambassador: Thank you for your question.

The United States and Turkey share common interests in the region.  We both want to prevent the use of the Black Sea for trafficking in terrorists, weapons, persons and drugs, and we want to foster the development of trade and economic integration. We applaud the leadership Turkey has demonstrated in the Black Sea, particularly with respect to the Black Sea Naval Cooperation Task Group (Blackseafor), Operation Black Sea Harmony and the Black Sea Economic Cooperation forum, all of which the United States supports.

The United States enjoys good relations with all the countries in the Black Sea region and will continue its long-time practice of engaging them, including with visits by US Navy vessels that are carried out in accordance with the Montreux Convention.  The United States does not have or seek naval bases in the Black Sea.