U.S. SAYS TO WORK MORE CLOSELY WITH TURKEY UNDER NEW ADMINISTRATION
Hurriyet
Nov 5 2008
Turkey
ISTANBUL – The U.S. president-elect understands the importance of
Turkey and the two countries would work together even more closely
under the new administration, a high-level American diplomat said.
"America cannot face the challenges alone and the next administration’s
partnership with Turkey will continue in the fight against the PKK and
other terrorists, in building a democratic, secure and stable Iraq,
in finding new energy resources and routes of supply and in promoting
peace in the Middle East and other regions," U.S. Consul General
Sharon Wiener said at the breakfast for the elections on Wednesday.
She said Barack Obama understands the importance of Turkey as a
strategic ally and a friend, in a bid to soothe concerns that a
possible problematic period lay ahead in the relations of the two
countries due to the Democratic new president’s approach to the
so-called Armenian genocide claims.
Obama has said he would accept the so-called Armenian genocide claims
if he is elected. The Democratic candidate garnered the support of
Armenians living in the United States.
However some observers say Obama would not be the first president
to move away from campaign pledges and take different actions or
decisions once elected.
"We will work together even more closely as Turkey has been elected
to the United Nations Security Council," Wiener added in her speech.
Obama won Tuesday’s historic presidential elections with pledges for
change, defeating Republican candidate John McCain.