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ANKARA: Ricciardone Says Turkish-U.S. Security Relations Above Indiv

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  • ANKARA: Ricciardone Says Turkish-U.S. Security Relations Above Indiv

    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.

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