Statements by U.S. Officials

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff’s Speaks to the Press Outside the Prime Ministry

Ankara, Turkey
May 28, 2008

Secretary Chertoff: Good afternoon everybody. I’m delighted to be here in Ankara on a visit that is admittedly not as long as I would like.

I’m here to meet with my counterparts on the very important issue of cooperation and counter terrorism and my presence here is reflection of the very strong and deep ties we have with Turkey in the area of counterterrorism and in other areas as well.

The Turkish people have been victims of terrorism. There have been bombings and other acts of terror that have caused the loss of life. The American people have also been victims of terrorism and we have to stand together globally to deal with what is a global menace.

We have achieved a lot by cooperating over the past years and we look to continue to build on this partnership of cooperation and counterterrorism in the period of time to come.

Finally, I’d like to say I had the opportunity to pay tribute at Anitkabir, the memorial to President Ataturk, and it was a vivid reminder of the foundations of this very important democracy in the Middle East.

And I’ll take a few questions. Tell me who you are when you ask and where you’re from.

Question: Suzan Fraser, Associated Press. To what extent does al-Qaeda pose a threat to Turkey?

Secretary Chertoff: Obviously there have been attacks in Turkey by al-Qaeda and similar groups over the past few years. Al-Qaeda is still very intent on carrying out attacks against anybody they perceive as democratic, free and a promoter of values of freedom and respect. So in that regard, all democracies are potentially at risk. I don’t have any specific information that there’s an attack plan against Turkey but I think we’re all in the same boat together as freedom-loving people who are working to have a more secure and peaceful world.

Question: U.S. officials have recently said the fight against terrorism must be followed with other kinds of actions and the Turkish government has taken some steps in that regard. How do you evaluate the developments in Turkey in the fight against terrorism?

Secretary Chertoff: I think Turkey’s been a very good partner in the fight against terrorism. Obviously, Turkey has suffered the consequences of terrorism, as has the U.S. but we’ve made a lot of progress in the struggle against terrorism by sharing information and working cooperatively and we’re going to continue to do that.