EDELMAN TAKES FLOOR IN OZAL CONFERENCE
Anatolian Times
June 22 2006
WASHINGTON D.C. – Eulogizing Turkish leaders Mustafa Kemal Ataturk,
Ismet Inonu and Turgut Ozal who managed to bring "times of crisis
to progress of the country", U.S. Under Secretary of Defense Eric
Edelman stressed that the United States needed such an impressive
leadership in Turkey.
Edelman, who served as U.S. Ambassador to Turkey between July
2003-2005, took the floor at traditional "Turgut Ozal" session
organized in Washington D.C. by the Washington Institute for Near
Eastern Policy, a think-tank organization.
Edelman extolled Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who turned Turkey’s face to
the West with his reforms, Ismet Inonu who steered Turkey toward
international organizations like the UN and NATO after the Second
World War, and Turgut Ozal who had Turkey integrate with the world
economically and politically.
-"STRIKING LEADERSHIP CAPACITY-"
Replying to a question about current leadership in Turkey, Edelman
said Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan "displayed a
striking capacity in political and economic reforms particularly in
the first period of the government and paved the ways for beginning
of negotiations with the European Union (EU).
Edelman also underscored that the Turkish government at the same
time displayed a valor for a solution in Cyprus based on Annan plan,
"thanks to this courage, for the first time after 40 years, the
parties approach the solution this much," he indicated.
"However, the process was obstructed after the Greek Cypriot voted
‘no’ in the referendum," he said.
-"SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE"-
When he was recalled that positive point of view of the Turkish public
towards U.S. administration was at the lowest level (when compared
with the whole world) according to the surveys, Edelman said it would
be advantageous if the administrations of Turkey and the United States
have consistent exchange of views.
-"TURBULENCE IS NOT A SECRET BUT BEING OVERCOME GRADUALLY"-
"Turkish-U.S. relations entail attention of both parties," Edelman
remarked and noted that both countries should continuously work to
enhance dimensions of bilateral relations and consult each other.
Edelman said, "there are not only Armenia and PKK issues in
Turkish-U.S. relations. Cyprus, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Turkey’s relations
with Ukraine and Russia and various NATO issues are in question."
"The United States values Turkish-U.S. relations," Edelman said and
added that the "turbulence" which started in the wake of September
11 and with Iraq war was not a secret, yet noted that all those were
being overcome gradually.
-"IRAQ SHOULD NOT BE A SHELTER FOR PKK ANYMORE"-
"Our hearts beat together with the families of Turkish citizens
who lost their lives because of PKK terrorism," Edelman indicated
and noted that Iraq should not be a shelter for the terrorist PKK
organization anymore.
Edelman emphasized that Turkey and the United States were in
collaboration on that matter. "The two countries have never been so
close to each other in exchange of intelligence."
Edelman said methods other than military force should be sought while
searching for ways to impede acts of terrorism. He said that efforts to
improve economic situation in Turkey’s southeast would be beneficial.
-"ALSO TURKEY IS ON TARGET"-
Pointing out that the United States was determined to resolve Iran
issue through diplomatic ways, Edelman said Washington welcomed
the support that Turkey gives to the process carried out with 3 EU
member countries.
Edelman said it would be the regional countries (in geographical terms)
that would be mostly harmed in case Iran attains nuclear capacity
and stressed that Israel and Turkey were "on the target".
He said Israel and Turkey were two democratic countries in the region
and contributed to the democratic progress of the region.
-IRAQ-
Edelman acclaimed the efforts that Turkey exerted for stability in Iraq
and particularly the initiative that convened Sunnites in Istanbul.
Asked about the situation of Kirkuk, Edelman said, "this is a very
sensitive issue for Iraqis," and noted that the decision pertaining
to the situation of the city belonged to Iraqis.
-CYPRUS-EU-
Responding to a comment that Cyprus question obstructed Turkey’s EU
membership, Edelman said this problem was considered a "potential
obstacle" yet joint efforts were underway to resolve the problem.
Edelman stated that the Turkish government displayed "flexibility"
in the past few months on Cyprus question, indicating that the other
party should display the same flexibility.
"The United States has been advocating Turkey’s EU membership since
1963. This is not something new. We have always been consistent,"
Edelman said.
-ATTACK ON COUNCIL OF STATE-
Asked whether the attack on Council of State judges was an attack
against secularism, Edelman said, "I do not make any comment on an
issue which is under investigation."
-"I SHARE SAME VIEWS WITH MY BOSS"-
Asked if he shared the views of U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld
who had said, "the insurgents in Iraq would not be so effective if
Turkey had approved March 1 motion," Edelman said, "I have same views
with my boss."
-TURKEY-RUSSIA RELATIONS-
Responding to a question, Edelman said improvement of Turkey’s
relations with Russia should not be considered an alternative to its
relations with the West.
"The U.S. is pleased to see that Turkey has constructive relations both
with Russia and Ukraine." On Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, Edelman
said Turkey would play the role of an "energy depot" in the region.