MEMBERS OF CONGRESS URGE OBAMA TO STRENGTHEN US TIES WITH ALLY TURKEY

States News Service
April 1, 2009 Wednesday

SEND LETTER EXPRESSING STRONG SUPPORT FOR US-TURKISH RELATIONS PRIOR
TO PRESIDENT’S UPCOMING VISIT TO TURKEY

WASHINGTON

The following information was released by the office of Florida
Rep. Robert Wexler:

Today, twenty-nine members of the Congressional Caucus on US-Turkish
relations sent President Barack Obama a bipartisan letter urging
him to enhance US-Turkish relations and to work more closely with
Turkish leaders on a number of American, Turkish and international
security challenges. Turkey Caucus members sent the strongly worded
letter encouraging closer bilateral relations with this key NATO ally,
prior to President Obamas upcoming visit to Turkey, which will take
place April 5-7, 2009. The letter also advocates that the President
support Turkeys efforts to normalize relations with Armenia, Turkeys
EU accession efforts and continued security assistance to officials
in Ankara as they battle PKK terrorism. Congressman Wexler (D-FL),
Co-Chairman of the Congressional Caucus on Turkey and Chairman of the
Europe Subcommittee, led the letter along with fellow Turkey Caucus
Co-Chairs Congressman Ed Whitfield (R-KY) and Congresswoman Kay Granger
(R-TX), and Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL), Co-Chairman of the
US Helsinki Commission.

It is a testament to the importance of US-Turkish relations that
President Obama has chosen to visit Turkey during his first trip
abroad as President of the United States. This is truly an historic
opportunity to enhance the US-Turkey strategic partnership that has
benefited both nations for over five decades, said Congressman Wexler.

As President Obama implements a new strategy in Afghanistan and
Pakistan, addresses the growing threat of Irans nuclear development,
and works to redeploy American troops from Iraq, Turkeys importance
as a strategic ally to the United States cannot be understated. It is
my hope that President Obama and his Turkish counterparts seize this
opportunity to create the conditions for a deeper friendship based on
shared values and a common commitment to democracy and human rights. To
that end, it is essential that the President unequivocally supports
Turkeys rapprochement with Armenia and offers continued assistance
to Ankara as it combats PKK terrorists.

President Obama’s upcoming visit to Istanbul and Ankara offers
further proof of how much the United States values its relationship
with Turkey, said Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-TX). By virtue of its
central location and its democratic government, Turkey has been a key
player in the Middle East peace process and an invaluable supporter
of U.S. efforts in the region. I applaud the President for recognizing
Turkey’s importance to global security and stability and look forward
to building on our already strong alliance.

As a member of the Congressional Turkey Caucus, I have always
been a staunch supporter and advocate for Turkey. Turkey, in
my opinion, remains a key strategic ally to the United States,
said Congressman Alcee L. Hastings(D-FL). It is imperative that
the United States continue to work to ensure that our alliance
with Turkey is strengthened in Congress and with the new Obama
administration. President Obamas landmark trip to Turkey comes at
a critical for U.S.-Turkish relations and at a time of significant
importance in the region. Our shared values and common interests in
building a stable, peaceful, and prosperous world exemplify our long
and close relationship with Turkey, as evidenced by our partnership in
NATO. I remain committed to continuing to stand shoulder-to-shoulder
with the people of Turkey and Turkish-Americans here in the United
States as a friend and ally in the Congress.

President Barack Obamas historic visit to Turkey presents the
United States with an excellent chance to assert and strengthen
our relationship with a strategic ally and a critical trading
partner. During this time of economic uncertainty and great military
challenges, the United States must do all that it can to build upon
our ties to foreign nations and promote opportunities to grow the
global economy. I am hopeful that President Obamas timely visit to
Turkey will foster further goodwill between our two nations and send
an important message about the value the United States places on our
relationship with Turkey, said Congressman Ed Whitfield (R-KY).

A copy of the letter is available for download here.

Congressman Robert Wexler is Chairman of the Subcommittee on Europe
and a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the
House Judiciary Committee. Recently, Congressman Wexler served as an
advisor on Middle East issues to President Barack Obama during his
2008 presidential campaign.