Archive of Press Releases and Official Statements

Ambassador W. Robert Pearson’s Remarks at Farewell Lunch Hosted by DEIK/Turkish-U.S. Business Council

Conrad Hotel, Istanbul
July 16, 2003

Dear Friends:

I first want to say that I have no prepared remarks because I need none. I need none to express the tremendous sense of friendship and comradeship during the work together that we have shared in the three years that I have been privileged to serve the United States here in Turkey, this wonderful country.

Secondly, I want to express to you how much I appreciate the opportunity to work with the business community. Of course, that is because in Ankara and elsewhere around the country you always combine the importance of the vision of tomorrow with the realities of today. And I think that you, as leaders in Turkey’s business community and as an influence on the political process, have played an indispensable role and certainly have been an indispensable source of advice for me.

Next, I want to say a few words about Iraq. I have said before to our friends that if Turkey and the United States share a common perspective on Iraq, then the economic potential for all of the area of Iraq, including especially Central and Eastern and Southeastern Turkey, could have a significant economic boost. Right now we are sending hundreds of trucks everyday through the Habur gate. Oil is ready to flow from Kirkuk to Yumurtalik. The business opportunities, especially for the North of Iraq, are increasing because it is the most stable part of the country. The present issue for us is how to convert the potential that this represents into reality.

As you know, states classically are supposed to relate to each other on the basis of their national interest. But in this case, the national interests of Turkey and the United States have overlapped for many, many years. And as a result, that has led to the growth of a deep and enduring friendship which I believe is absolutely unshakable. As we go through difficult times, as indicated in the statement that has been released, we see the July 4th incident as very regrettable. We wish like all of you that this event had never happened. But I hope that with your help and with the help of all of the friends of Turkish-American relations that we can build the kind of foundation we absolutely have to have in order to withstand the difficulties that come from time to time.

I have said before that this relationship is like a ship that sails on the high seas. Its importance is such that this relationship has to sail in the open ocean. And so the question, my friends, is not whether a storm will come along once in a while. Storms are going to come if you sail on the ocean. The question is how the ship survives the storm. I firmly believe that the support and effort of all of you, and all of the other friends around this country, all the Americans who believe in the enduring strength of Turkish-American relations will make sure that this ship continues to sail safely.

Let me close with a quote from William Faulkner, a famous American writer, who didn’t like to speak in public but who had to speak at the ceremony for the Nobel Prize for Literature. Here is what he said: “I believe that mankind will not merely endure, but will prevail.” He is immortal not because he alone among the creatures has an inexhaustible voice but because he has a soul, a spirit capable of compassion and endurance and sacrifice. Therefore, my friends, I close and say goodbye with this request: Act with compassion, be prepared to sacrifice, and have the courage to endure until you have prevailed. Thank you very, very much.