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198968
Wed, 08/03/2011 - 13:43
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http://m.oananews.org//node/198968
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Ricciardone says Turkish-U.S. security relations above individuals
WASHINGTON (A.A) - August 3, 2011 - U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Francis Joseph Ricciardone said on Wednesday that security relations between Turkey and the United States was above the individuals.
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.
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.
