RICCIARDONE SAYS TURKISH-U.S. SECURITY RELATIONS ABOVE INDIVIDUALS
Cumhuriyet
Aug 3, 2011
Turkey
U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Francis Joseph Ricciardone said on Wednesday
that security relations between Turkey and the United States was
above the individuals.
WASHINGTON- Commenting on the stance Turkey’s Chief of General Staff
and force commanders who asked for their retirement, Ricciardone
said the U.S. was ready to work with the new army brass. He said
security relations between Turkey and the United States was above
the individuals but bases on institutions.
Ricciardone, who was nominated as ambassador to Turkey for one year by
U.S. President Barack Obama, spoke at a hearing took place in Senate
Foreign Relations Committee, as his nomination process re-started in
the Senate.
“During my 33-year career in the Foreign Service, I’ve had the
pleasure and the privilege of having served in Turkey previously
three times. And through this period, I’ve observed Turkey’s
continuing transformation into a more democratic and more open and
more economically vibrant modern state, and as a player with growing
influence on the world stage,” he said adding that, “throughout this
change in development, there has been one constant, and that has been
Turkey’s continued commitment to its partnership with the United
States and the NATO alliance. It’s also a member of the G-20 now,
and having one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.
And noting Turkey’s history as a majority Muslim nation and as a
secular democracy that respects the rule of law, President Obama cited
Turkey’s critical role in helping to shape the mutual understanding
and stability not only in its neighborhood, but around the world.
If confirmed, I will continue to do everything I can to reinforce
Turkish-American cooperation in support of our common goals, which
are rooted in the security alliance, and our shared democratic values.
Ricciardone said, “For decades, Turkey and the United States have
cooperated intensively to promote regional stability, including
by countering terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction, resolving regional conflicts, promoting energy security,
expanding trade, investment and economic development; and integral
to all of those, strengthening democracy, human rights and the rule
of law.
While we share many goals with Turkey, one of the most important
is countering global terrorism and networks. And Turkey has been
one of our strongest partners in that pursuit. Just last month,
Turkish security officials arrested an alleged al-Qaida cell that was
plotting to bomb Western interests in Turkey, including the United
States Embassy. We support Turkey’s own foremost security objective of
defeating the terrorist violence which the PKK continues to perpetrate
and which has led to the deaths of over 30,000 Turks since the 1980s.
We strongly support Turkey’s efforts to improve the human rights and
economic situation for the Kurds, and their democratic participation as
full citizens, and the rights also of other communities of vulnerable
groups in Turkey.
As the United States maintains its longstanding support for Turkey’s
aspirations to join the European Union, we will continue to press for
the reforms required for accession. It’s important to note the Turkish
citizens themselves are demanding further progress on promoting human
rights and the rule of law, most certainly including freedom of speech
and religious freedom.
The U.S. supports the transparent and inclusive constitutional
reform process to strengthen Turkey’s democracy. We regard freedom of
expression as central to democracy, and we believe the reform process
offers a unique opportunity to strengthen the protections afforded
to journalists, to nongovernmental organizations, and to minorities.
ARAB SPRING Ricciardone referred to the importance the U.S. has been
giving to improvement of economic relations. “I’ve been privileged to
serve in Ankara during the Arab Spring, during which I’ve strived to
enlist Turkish support for the NATO role in Libya, for a successful
transition to democracy in Egypt, and in collaboration with my
colleague and friend next door in Syria, to pressure the regime
in Syria to cease its brutal repression and to heed the will of
its people.
Asked to comment on the stance of Chief of General Staff and force
commanders who asked for their retirement and what this meant for
Turkey, Ricciardone said Turks have been analysing what this meant
for Turkey, its democracy and civilian government. Ricciardone said
they were ready to work with the new command element, underlining
that he was sure that security relations between the parties would
continue to be strong.
MISSILE DEFENSE Ricciardone said, “On missile defense, Turkey did
support, of course, the NATO statement at Lisbon. They support the NATO
effort to have a phased adaptive approach radar system. We’ve moved
well beyond that generality to have detailed technical discussions
and legal discussions with the government of Turkey,” adding “We hope
that the Turkish government will feel it has enough information to
make a decision very soon. I’ll be racing back to Ankara to try to
find out more. We’re waiting for that.”
Senator Robert Menendez, known with his opposing stance against Turkey,
criticized statements of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyi Erdogan
on Cyprus, and asked about own views of Ricciardone.
Ricciardone said the United States wanted a solution basing on bi-zonal
bi-communal federation in Cyprus.
Referring to the question of Menendez on Armenian allegations
regarding 1915 incidents, Ricciardone said, “We have — I stand
behind President Obama’s characterization of the Yeds Meghern (sic),
as the Armenians themselves call it, the tragic massacre, murder of,
you know, a million and a half men, women and children marched to
their deaths in 1915. But I stand behind our characterization of that
and our efforts of what we’re trying to do now.”
Responding to a question on Syria, Ricciardone said any instability in
Syria could have direct security and economic repercussions on Turkey’s
vital national interests. He also conveyed recent statements of Turkish
President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Erdogan regarding Syria.
RELIGIOUS FREEDOMS Responding to a question, Ricciardone said the
United States gave importance to religious freedoms and religious
rights of minorities in Turkey. He said Turkey has been exerting
efforts on the matter.
Ricciardone said Turkish government did not see religious minorities
a threat and was pleased over religious diversity in the country.
“On Israel. But I feel very certain, having discussed this at length
with the prime minister and the foreign minister, certainly the
military leadership, that all these Turks, whatever their feelings,
misgivings, irritation, issues over the terrible flotilla incident
of last year, over events in Gaza, they understand that to influence
events in the region, to be part of a more peaceful and prosperous
region, which is in their vital national interest, they need to have
a normal, fruitful, respectful, full diplomatic dialogue with Israel,
and they want to get back to that,” he said.