Q: What are your general thoughts about the murder of Hrant Dink?  What does it say about Turkey and what Hrant Dink stood for here?

AMB:  Well, of course Hrant Dink was a great advocate in this country for freedom of speech and for reconciliation and mutual understanding, in particular among Armenians and Turks.  His death, his murder is a great tragedy.  Our hearts and condolences go out to his family, to his friends, to those who he worked with and to those who supported the ideals that he represented.  I think he was among many advocates here of a liberal and open Turkey, a society connected with the West  and he wanted to see this country to take steps forward.  I think all of us who live here and who care about Turkey hope that out of this terrible tragedy Turkey will take some further steps forward toward becoming the liberal Western and open society that Ataturk set it on the path towards 80 years ago.

Q: And do those steps today include changing 301?

AMB:  Certainly Hrant Dink was one of the most prominent advocates of changing article 301, eliminating it.  There have been a number advocates just in the course of the last several days, here in this country, in the newspapers of this country about this issue.  I think that is an important thing. Turks are speaking out very loudly - and very prominent Turks.  A former foreign minister is in the largest circulation newspaper today talking about this.  That is a good thing.  The United States has urged the change to article 301 for some time, I think we hope that the government now can take some steps to change it. 

Q:  We see a huge roaring of support here and respect for him.  Does it surprise you? What do you think it means? How has this affected people here?

AMB: I was out on the streets this morning.  It is an immense and very emotional outpouring by tens of thousands of Turks.  It looks to me that people from all walks of life, many different nationalities, many people who have come from Europe, from elsewhere to pay respects to this man.  I think all of them are making a statement about the kind of country that they want Turkey to be.  I think that is a powerful statement to this country that is very important.

Q: Everybody is wondering, and I am wondering, whether you have any information to suggest that this isn’t just the act of a violent 16 or 17 year old kid.

AMB:  Everything I know is what is in the newspapers.  It certainly appears to be that way at present.  There are various accounts, but it’s probably not that particularly useful to speculate more broadly about that.

Q:  Why do you think the murder of Hrant Dink has had such resonance not just here but outside of Turkey. This is an editor of a small paper.  This is what really the people think(inaudible) in the U.S. as well,  in Europe as well, and all over the world.  Why do you think that is? 

AMB:  Well, first, Hrant Dink was a very kind, open and friendly man.  Everybody who met him, including me, was immensely impressed by his warmth and the depth of his commitment to Turkey, and to understanding and reconciliation among peoples.  Second, he spoke to reconciliation and understanding, he avoided labels, he tried to find ways to bring people together, and judging by what you see on the streets today,  he did bring people together.  Third, he was an advocate here for human rights and for liberty and freedom. That also unites millions of people of this country.  And I think if his passing, of course it is a great tragedy for this country, for his family and for his loved ones, if it helps to advance the freedom and the values that he stood for, I think that is a good thing. 

Q: Thank you.

AMB: Thank you.