Press Releases

US Embassy Statement

Ankara, July 19, 2006 

Statements made by Ambassador Wilson in recent days have been misinterpreted to suggest that Turkey has no right to defend itself or its people in the face of the security threats it faces.

This is not the view of the United States government and was not the intention of the Ambassador’s remarks.

Of course, Turkey, like every country, has a right and an obligation to defend itself and its people.  For over fifty years, we have stood together as members of an alliance dedicated to collective defense and security.  We recently pledged ourselves to work together on all issues of common concern, including counter terrorism and the fight against the PKK and its affiliates.  Working together with the United States and the government of Iraq can be an essential part of advancing Turkish security.

We look forward to continued close cooperation with Turkey and with the government of Prime Minister Erdogan as our countries address together the threat posed by the PKK and the other security challenges we face.