- Title: TURKEY: US DEPUTY SECRETARY OF DEFENCE PAUL WOLFOWITZ VISITS TURKEY
- Date: 14th July 2002
- Summary: (U6) ISTANBUL, TURKEY (JULY 14, 2002) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. PAN MEETING OF TESEV (TURKISH ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL STUDIES FOUNDATION) 0.08 2. GV U.S. DEPUTY SECRETARY OF DEFENCE PAUL WOLFOWITZ ARRIVING AT MEETING 0.28 3. LV/MV WOLFOWITZ (2 SHOTS) 0.35 4. PAN AUDIENCE 0.46 5. (SOUNDBITE)(English) PAUL WOLFOWITZ, U.S. DEPUTY SECRETARY OF DEFENCE SAYING: "One nation for whom Turkey's democratic model can serve as an inspiration is Iraq, which currently suffers under the role of a tyrant who oppresses and slaughters his own people and threatens his neighbours with the most deadly of weapons. Iraq's educated, industrious population with the aid of its large endowment of natural resources could rapidly build a modern and wealthy society that would be a source of prosperity, rather than insecurity for its neighbours. That is why the United States continues to look for new leadership in Iraq." 1.28 6. VARIOUS OF JOURNALISTS (2 SHOTS) 1.40 7. (SOUNDBITE) (English) WOLFOWITZ SAYING: "During my meetings with Turkish government officials, I look forward to hearing what they have to say concerning the future of Iraq. We value Turkey's view highly and my colleagues back in Washington will be interested in what I have to report. Turkey has large and legitimate interests in Iraq and it has suffered economically from Iraq's international isolation since the time of the Gulf War. Turkey is naturally interested in the fate of the Turcoman minority in Iraq which like the rest of the Iraqi population has suffered grievously from tyrannical rule. And Turkey reasonably wishes to be assured that events in Iraq won't have a negative impact on its own unity." 2.26 8. TSLV GUESTS 2.31 9. VARIOUS OF WOLFOWITZ LEAVING (2 SHOTS) 2.48 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 29th July 2002 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: ISTANBUL, TURKEY
- Country: Turkey
- Reuters ID: LVABH6GQHOFS40B087GV493Z2N28
- Story Text: U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz has
made a speech in Turkey saying that Turkey can serve as an
inspiration to Iraq where the United States continues to look
for new leadership.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz
speaking in Istanbul at a confence of the Turkish Economic and
Social Studies Foundation (TESEV) on Sunday (July 14) said
Turkey and the United States face great challenges defined as
the threat of terrorism and the need for a global war against
it.
Underlining that the United States is an ally and a friend
of Turkey, Wolfowitz said Turkey could recover from its
economic and political challenges. He said that Turkey has the
opportunity to emerge from the crisis even stronger than
before if it makes the reforms that are necessary.
Saying that he came to Turkey to listen and not to preach,
Wolfowitz said he will meet with Turkish leaders on his way
back from Afghanistan to talk about Iraq and Middle East
issues.
"To win the war against terrorism," said the deputy
secretary
"they must reach hundreds of millions of moderate and tolerant
people in the Muslim World," adding that Turkey offers a
compelling demonstration that these values can be compatible
with modern society.
"One nation for whom Turkey's democratic model can serve
as an inspiration is Iraq, which currently suffers under the
role of a tyrant who oppresses and slaughters his own people
and threatens his neighbours with the most deadly of weapons.
Iraq's educated, industrious population, with the aid of its
large endowment of natural resources, could rapidly build a
modern and wealthy society that would be a source of
prosperity, rather than insecurity for its neighbours."
"That is why the United States continues to look for new
leadership in Iraq," Wolfowitz said.
Concerning his meeting with the Turkish premier on Tuesday
(July 16) Wolfowitz said, "During my meetings with Turkish
government officials, I look forward to hearing what they have
to say concerning the future of Iraq. We value Turkey's view
highly and my colleagues back in Washington will be interested
in what I have to report. Turkey has large and legitimate
interests in Iraq and it has suffered economically from Iraq's
international isolation since the time of the Gulf War. Turkey
is naturally interested in the fate of the Turcoman minority
in Iraq which like the rest of the Iraqi population has
suffered grievously from tyrannical rule. And Turkey
reasonably wishes to be assured that events in Iraq won't have
a negative impact on its own unity," he said.
Wolfowitz underlined in his speech that it is vital for
the people of Iraq to govern themselves democratically with
full respect for the right of minorities, including the
Turcomans and to maintain its territorial integrity. He said a
separate Kurdish state in the North would be destabilizing to
Turkey and would be unacceptable to the United States. "A
democratic Iraq will stimulate economic growth with neighbours
like Turkey and stabilize the region," added Wolfowitz.
Wolfowitz also spoke about Turkey-EU relations and
Turkey's role in Afghanistan within ISAF.
After the speech Wolfowitz left for Kabul, where he is to
meet with General Hilmi Akin Zorlu, leader of the
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Wolfowitz is
expected to return to Ankara, the capital city, on Monday
night (July 15) and meet with Turkish leaders on Tuesday.
NP/PW
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