Ambassador's remarks and public events

Remarks by Ambassador Ross Wilson
Following His Meeting with DSP Leader Zeki Sezer

Ankara, January 16, 2007

AMBASSADOR WILSON:  Thank you very much for giving me some time this morning.  I think we talked several months ago in a dinner a little bit, and it made me think that I needed to come and pay a call on you, and learn a little bit more directly and have a more direct conversation with you about DSP and how you see developments in Turkey.  So I’ll be interested in your views and learning a little bit about your party’s priorities and how you see things developing in 2007 and beyond.  To you and to your party members I extend condolences on the passing of Bulent Ecevit.  As a many times Prime Minister, he, of course, was a good friend of the United States.  So thank you.

QUESTION:  As you know CHP has called on convening of the Parliament to discuss the Iraq issue, and said that the Government should take authorization for the Iraq issue.  What are your comments on that?

AMBASSADOR WILSON:  I think on the general subject, obviously Iraq is one of the most important matters that faces Turkey and faces the United States, faces the world.  As a democracy, it is fitting and it is appropriate that Turkey have a discussion about Iraq policy issues in the Parliament as in the newspapers and the media as in many other places.  We will be expressing our views and have expressed our views to the government here, but as I say, I think the open discussion in the Parliament on these issues is probably a helpful and a healthy thing in a democracy like Turkey. 

QUESTION:  As you know, Prime Minister Mr. Erdogan said that Turkey cannot stay aloof to the developments…democratic developments in Kirkuk.  Do you think the US is taking such explanations, such comments as an intervention in the domestic issues of the US?

AMBASSADOR WILSON:  In the affairs of Iraq.  I think I’d say two things about Kirkuk.  First, it’s our view that the future of Kirkuk is a matter that should be decided upon by the people of Iraq.  Countries such as the United States and Turkey and others have views.  It’s important for those countries’ governments to express those views to the Iraqis. At the end of the day it is for the Iraqis to decide.  Second, I think our governments both acknowledge that the future of Kirkuk is an extremely sensitive question for Iraq’s political development internally.  And it is certainly our view that Kirkuk’s future should be resolved in a matter that reinforces stability and reconciliation there and does not detract from those things.  I think that’s about all I want to say on this subject.