[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 144 (Thursday, October 6, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 6, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                   TURKEY'S RELEVANCE IN WORLD ORDER

  Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I would like to call my colleague's 
attention to a recent column by Turkish Ambassador Nuzhet Kandemir 
which appeared in the Washington Times.
  The relationship between the United States and Turkey is one of the 
most important bilateral relationships in the world. Turkey was a 
valuable ally and NATO partner when the free world was united in 
resisting Soviet expansionism, and Turkey's importance has not 
diminished in the changing and uncertain world we face today. On the 
contrary, friendship between our two countries may be more important 
today than it was in the bipolar world we leave behind.
  Turkey is located where Europe, Asia, the former Soviet Republics in 
the Caucasus and the Middle East converge. To the extent that the 
United States has vital interests at stake in each of these regions, a 
friendly and stable Turkey is essential to the protection of those 
interests.
  Ambassador Kandemir provides valuable insights into Turkey's 
perspective in this transitional era. As with any friend, we might not 
always agree with Turkey, but its views are always relevant to our 
foreign policy deliberations. I commend his column to the attention of 
the Senate and ask unanimous consent that Ambassador Kandemir's column 
be inserted in the Record.
  There being no objection, the article was ordered to printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                   Turkey's Relevance in World Order

       Five years after the end of the Cold War and three years 
     after the end of Operation Desert Storm, the international 
     community continues to struggle with the myriad problems 
     confronting it; identifying new priorities, resolving 
     regional conflicts, dealing with humanitarian disasters, 
     stabilizing the international economic system, allocating 
     foreign assistance, and halting the proliferation of weapons 
     of mass destruction and the spread of terrorism and violent 
     Islamic fundamentalism. This is particularly true of two 
     areas of critical interest to Turkey and the United States--
     Southern Europe and the Middle East.
       Turkey is more relevant to the important interests of the 
     United States and Turkey's other friends in the international 
     community than it was during the less complex, but no less 
     threatening, Cold War. Turkey straddles both Southern Europe 
     and the Middle East and is a position to exert a positive 
     influence on events in each. This is the reality with which 
     Turkey's friends and critics should assess the prospects for 
     regional peace and stability, or conversely, the danger of a 
     destabilized Turkey.
       Turkey wants to make it clear that in an era in which a 
     shrinking U.S. foreign aid and an emphasis on domestic 
     matters calls for more self-reliance by America's friends, 
     Turkey remains prepared to shoulder its share of the burden. 
     Further, my government can assure the U.S. that there are no 
     fundamental differences in our respective foreign policies on 
     the key issues of peacekeeping, human rights, economic 
     stabilization, and humanitarian assistance.
       I would like to clarify certain issues that have led to 
     misinformation that could tarnish the relations between the 
     United States and Turkey.
       First, on the controversial issue of human rights, the 
     Turkish government introduced an additional package of 
     democratic reforms in 1994 that will further ensure there are 
     no possible abuses of the rights of Turkish citizens of 
     Kurdish origin.
       Second, on the issue of terrorism, my government is engaged 
     in a conflict with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), an 
     organization often misportrayed as a band of romantic 
     nationalists, representing all Kurds. This is the same PKK 
     singled out in the U.S. State Department's most recent report 
     on terrorism. Turkey is engaged in a conflict with the PKK, 
     not ``the Kurds,'' and makes no apologies for attempting to 
     safeguard democracy for all elements of Turkish society.
       Just as recent acts of terrorism in London, Panama and 
     Buenos Aires demonstrate the intent of some to derail peace 
     in the Middle East, it was the PKK that blew up all 
     initiatives by my government to resolve the conflict. Within 
     the democratic process, Turkey has always maintained a 
     constructive dialogue with those segments of society who 
     reject violence and dismemberment of the Turkish state.
       Finally, my government's stance has been clear from the 
     outset on the recently concluded debate on U.S. foreign aid. 
     Recently, we announced that Turkey would not accept the 10 
     percent portion of assistance linked to the administration's 
     report on Cyprus and human rights. Still, my government, 
     though puzzled and dismayed, wants to get past the 
     misinformation and emotion of the debate and focus on 
     Turkey's future. Looking ahead, it is important for U.S. 
     decision-makers and taxpayers to recognize that foreign 
     assistance advances the causes of regional peace, economic 
     stability and growth. Turkey provides peacekeeping forces in 
     Europe and Africa and grants humanitarian assistance in 
     Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Assistance to Turkey and 
     the country's economic stability has a direct impact on 
     developments in Southern Europe and the Middle East.
       In this regard, my government implemented a series of 
     domestic economic reforms that led to a new accord with the 
     International Monetary Fund, created jobs for all Turkish 
     citizens, and enabled Turkey to re-establish itself as an 
     emerging market. These reforms will allow Turkey to serve 
     as an engine of economic growth in the region in 
     cooperation with several nations, including Israel.
       However, I trust that decisionmakers will recognize that a 
     measure of the economic instability afflicting Turkey today 
     is a result of its unwavering support for sanctions against 
     Iraq since 1991. This support terminated trade with one of 
     Turkey's largest trading partners--an action comparable to 
     the United States ending trade with Canada. During this time, 
     foreign aid was reduced dramatically, resulting in a 
     shortfall that had an obvious impact on Turkey, but did not 
     undercut our commitment as a reliable partner.
       In the spirit of future cooperation, there could soon be an 
     opportunity in the United Nations to rescue a significant 
     economic asset for the international community, the Turkey-
     Iraq pipeline, which was shut down as part of the sanctions. 
     Turkey hopes that a U.N. resolution will soon be approved to 
     flush the pipeline; it would prevent further damage to that 
     asset and provide revenue that would fund humanitarian 
     assistance to all Iraqis, but would not violate any U.N. 
     sanctions regime. The passage of a new resolution would also 
     illustrate the ability of Turkey and the international 
     community to negotiate a solution to delicate diplomatic and 
     economic problems.
       Turkey is struggling with the difficult tasks of defining 
     its diplomatic, security and economic roles in the new world 
     order, as well as combating terrorism and the expansion of 
     violent Islamic fundamentalism. Turkey welcomes its 
     friendship with the United States. Turkey also would welcome 
     a balanced examination of the facts as the United States 
     copes with instability in Europe and the former Soviet Union, 
     monitors future events in Turkey and considers the 
     unpalatable alternatives to a stable, friendly Turkey.

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