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Events

Special Envoy Holbrooke in Istanbul

August 24-25, 2009

Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke traveled to Istanbul, Turkey to attend the Friends of a Democratic Pakistan Meeting on August 24 and 25. Ambassador Holbrooke also met with Turkish officials to discuss a range of issues of interest to the United States and Turkey. Holbrooke spoke to NTV and said, “Turkey – the aid and military assistance Turkey gives – to Afghanistan is for Turkey, and Turkey alone, to decide.  But Turkey’s a member of NATO.  And as everyone in Turkey knows, I’m a very strong supporter of Turkey’s role in NATO and, I hope, eventually, Turkey’s membership in the European Union.  In that capacity, the Turks have got to decide what they do next.  But I will say this:  Turkey is a vitally important part of the international effort in Afghanistan.  They run a wonderful Provincial Reconstruction Team in Wardak province.  They will decide how to proceed as they go forward.  I come to Istanbul as often as I can, and to Ankara, to talk to Foreign Minister Davutoğlu and his colleagues, Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs Sinirlioğlu, so we are very pleased to work with Turkey.  It is our view that Turkey’s role in Afghanistan and Pakistan is not only important now, but the more it is able to increase it the better it will be for stability.  There’s a unique affinity between the people of Pakistan and the people of Turkey, which anyone can see.  And there’s a special historical and cultural relationship between Turkey and Afghanistan.  So we encourage this.  But it’s up to Turkey to decide…  I will never – unlike some previous administrations, we’re not going to come to anywhere and ask people, tell people, we won’t tell people what to do.  It’s up to them to decide.”