Turkish President Praises President Obama's Message Urging Dialogue

April 13, 2009 | Washington, DC.« Back to Press Releases

During an exclusive interview with Alhurra Television, Abdullah Gul, the President of Turkey, discussed the significance of President Obama’s visit to United States-Turkey relations, the role of Turkey in Iraq and Afghanistan, and Armenian-Turkish relations, as well as the impact of the growing role of Turkey in the region. The following are excerpts from his interview with Alhurra Television following his meeting with President Obama. (All excerpts have been translated from Turkish):

On the partnership between Turkey and the United States
President Obama acknowledged the importance of the Islamic world. We dealt with the relations between our two countries. It was a visit from the President of the most important country in the world to Turkey. He chose Turkey as his first visit in this part of the world to convey a clear message to the international public. The talks were not solely about the bilateral relations between Turkey and the United States; we also dealt with all regional issues and matters and international issues. The distinguished relations between the two countries are apparent to everybody and they are continuing to grow. This growth is very important to both the United States and Turkey.

On the importance of President Obama’s visit to the United States-Turkey relations
President Obama’s visit is very important because he represents a major country. He communicated a clear message while here. He does not dictate his will to others. He stresses consultation and dialogue among parties. We share these values and recognize their importance. The relevant international issues are varied and wide ranging. Therefore, his insight into issues and matters is important. The change Obama is bringing is very important. We should influence it in the right direction. He has had the opportunity to learn the opinions of the Muslim and the Arab World. We discussed all the issues that relate to this region in a clear and transparent way. His message was very clear and this is a valuable development for the American people themselves. The significant development is that there are now initiatives that should succeed. These initiatives aim to bridge the gap, mend the fracture, and place relations on a solid foundation. We should explain to Americans what the Muslim world thinks. Dialogue is very important in international politics. Therefore, this visit is very important and Obama’s choice of Turkey is very significant. This visit will of course strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries.

The change in the American strategy requires a change in the strategies of countries in this region. This change has begun to take place. We see that the path of dialogue and cooperation and solving political disputes is not through weapons and artillery shellings, but through negotiations.

On Turkey’s role in Iraq and the use of Turkish military bases in troop withdrawals
The Iraqi issue is an important one. It was one of the most significant issues that we addressed in our talks. I visited Iraq and stayed one night in Baghdad. But I did not stay in the Green Zone, I went out to the Baghdad‘s neighborhoods. I also met many Iraqi politicians, including the president and the prime minister. I reminded the Iraqis that Turkey is a neighboring country to Iraq and wish that positive developments will take place in their country. The problems that Iraq is facing should be solved and we are ready to help. The Americans did not propose to us that they use our military bases. However, this issue relates to ending the occupation. Therefore, we are ready to offer the utmost possible help.

On Iraq’s cooperation in countering the PKK
Terrorist organizations, including the PKK, use the Iraqi territories as a refugee to carry out attacks against Turkey. The Iraqi constitution bans the use of Iraqi territories to launch armed attacks on neighboring countries. During our visit to Iraq, we discussed cooperation with Iraqi authorities to curb these activities and fight terrorism. Unfortunately, we are not completely content with the Iraqi role or cooperation in regards to this matter. But we look forward to seeing that Iraq will take more meaningful and significant steps in this regard. If we had terrorist organizations in our territories and they were attacking Iraqi territories, Turkey would be held accountable for these attacks. This situation requires that you either you fight these groups or, if you can not do that independently, ask for help to curb these terrorist organizations. We say to the Iraqis that as long as you are unable to control some areas that are used by terrorist organizations, we can cooperate to fight and curb this social illness. Therefore, all efforts should be expended to finish this problem.

Turkey’s role in Afghanistan
The issue here is not that the United States asks us to play a role in Afghanistan. Our long time and deeply rooted ties with Afghanistan go beyond the issues that concern the United States. We had the responsibility of leading the ESAF forces in Afghanistan for two consecutive terms. Turkey commanded these forces, while other countries had joint command of these forces. But the solution in Afghanistan does not solely lie in military force. Afghanistan survived many experiences with foreigners from Alexander the Great to the British; the situation now can not be solved by military means. President Obama’s overtures towards Afghanistan are very significant because they do not relate solely to military means. We need to win the Afghan people to our side. To this end Turkey has opened schools for girls and boys and hospitals. We started paving the streets in Kabul, and have completed almost 100 kilometers. As a result of these projects, we won the hearts of the Afghan people. Our successes in Afghanistan was an important subject in our talks with President Obama.

On the Middle East peace process and Turkish mediation between Syria and Israel
We are going to continue our role in this context because pursuing peace and stability in the region is one of our priorities. There are changes in the Israeli government; the current government is different from the previous one. We will see if it accepts all the agreements that were reached by the previous government [with respect to Syria] and, most importantly, recognize a Palestinian state. If the parties are ready to discuss such a topic, these talks might begin; otherwise, it will be difficult. The two-states solution is a central condition that the Israelis should accept before the start of the negotiations.

On the Armenian-Turkish Relations
President’s Obama’s words were appreciative of Turkey’s efforts in this regard. We tried to mend the fracture and solve the problems with Armenia. Solving the problems among countries in the Caucus region is very important to peace in the region. The negotiations between Turkey and Armenia to solve the problems are continuous. We hope that all other pending issues are solved, including disputes between Armenia and Azerbaijan. If all these issues are solved, this will lead to cooperation among the countries of this region. The year 2009 is an important year to solve these problems. Therefore, help should be offered from inside and outside of this region for everyone’s benefit.

On the growing Turkish role in the region
I would like to mention first that Turkey sets its foreign policy agenda independently. Turkey does not execute other countries’ foreign policy agendas including that of the United States. Turkish views are in accordance with American views as formulated by the current American administration. Therefore, strengthening cooperation between the two countries is very important to execute this vision. Turkey’s economic strength in the region, growing military capabilities and advancing democracy are beneficial to neighboring countries. In regards to Iran and the Arab countries, we believe that peace should prevail. For the past six years, we helped to solve problematic issues and eliminate differences among countries in the region. We do not believe that other countries in this region are resentful of Turkey’s role. When I visit all the countries in this region, I feel that I am in my second home. This feeling does not only exist among leaders but also exits among the people of this region who have brotherly ties among one other.

According to international research firms such as ACNielsen, Alhurra has a weekly reach of 26 million people. Alhurra is operated by The Middle East Broadcasting Networks, Inc., a non-profit corporation funded by the U.S. Congress through the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG). The BBG is a federal agency that supervises all U.S. nonmilitary international broadcasting. For more information about Alhurra go to www.alhurra.com.

Contact:
Chams Eddin
Communications Specialist
Middle East Broadcasting Networks
703-852-9036