Speeches
Speech by Consul General Sharon Anderholm Wiener to the Propeller Club in Istanbul
February 24, 2009
(as delivered)
Thank you, Alan, and distinguished members of the Propeller Club. It's my great pleasure to be here with you today.
"Change." It was clear during the long 2008 presidential campaign that American voters wanted change. They wanted a break from the past, a new political course, a new direction. In a speech last February, then-Senator Barack Obama declared: "Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek." Later, in June, Obama's Republican rival, Senator John McCain appealed to that same yearning for change, saying "No matter who wins this election, the direction of this country is going to change dramatically."
And on November 4, Americans elected Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States and first African-American president, with one of the highest voter turnouts in a century. Sixty-six million Americans voted for Obama, more than 58 million voted for McCain. It was a clear and decisive victory.
President Bush said when he spoke to the nation the day after the election: "No matter how they cast their ballots, all Americans can be proud of the history that was made yesterday. Across the country, citizens voted in large numbers. They showed a watching world the vitality of America's democracy, and the strides we have made toward a more perfect union. They chose a President whose journey represents a triumph of the American story – a testament to hard work, optimism, and faith in the enduring promise of our nation. Many of our citizens thought they would never live to see that day. This moment is especially uplifting for a generation of Americans who witnessed the struggle for civil rights with their own eyes -- and four decades later see a dream fulfilled." As an American who is old enough to have witnessed that struggle, I shared personally in the sense of history in the making when the election results came in.
But the nation, while united in its desire for change, was still divided about exactly what kind of change it wanted. As great an achievement as this was, winning the election was just the first test for our new President. As the headline of the International Herald Tribune read the day after the election: "Big Victory, Bigger Challenges." President Obama faces the economic crisis and a range difficult of international issues –the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran; the search for peace between Palestinians and Israelis; and the need to confront climate change and find alternative sources of energy, just to name a few.
While the buzzword of the presidential election was "change," many aspects of foreign policy remain fairly constant because U.S. foreign policy is based on national interests that are shared across party lines. There may not be shifts in policy regarding many issues such as maritime security, accessibility to HIV drugs, or the preservation of indigenous cultures.
But for many people around the globe a most noticeable change has already taken place, namely a change in the tone of U.S. foreign policy. At the 45th Munich Conference on Security Policy on February 7, Vice President Joseph Biden told our NATO allies: "I come to Europe on behalf of a new administration, and an administration that's determined to set a new tone not only in Washington, but in America's relations around the world."
President Obama has already taken some significant steps to reach out to other nations. He highlighted the importance of diplomacy in his foreign policy by visiting the Department of State on his second day in office with his new Secretary of State and former political rival, Hillary Rodham Clinton. That day, he appointed special envoys to show his commitment to two specific areas: Senator George Mitchell for Middle East Peace and Richard Holbrooke for Afghanistan and Pakistan. Both of these distinguished public servants have already been to their respective regions on “listening tours” and will return again soon. President Obama also signed Executive Orders ordering the Guantanamo Detention Facility closed within one year and providing guidelines on detainee interrogation.
The President has made dialogue with the Muslim world one of his top priorities. He began this dialogue by granting his first foreign interview to al-Arabiya on January 26. The President believes Americans and Muslims can enjoy a productive and close relationship with common goals, such as a peaceful Middle East and educational opportunities for the region’s children. In his view, the United States should be actively engaged in these objectives because they are consistent with American ideals and interests.
Having been in power just a total of 36 days now, the Obama administration is reviewing policy in many key areas such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran. These strategic reviews aim to ensure that our goals are clear, and that they are achievable.
The Obama Administration views Afghanistan as the central front in our enduring struggle against terrorism and extremism. As Vice President Biden has said, "The United States will continue to work for a stable Afghanistan that's not a haven for terrorists." The situation in this region is perilous, and progress will take time. Violence is up dramatically in Afghanistan where a deadly insurgency has taken deep root. The opium trade is far and away the largest in the world. The Afghan government has been unable to deliver basic services. Al Qaeda and the Taliban strike from bases embedded in rugged tribal terrain along the Pakistani border. And while we have yet to see another attack on our soil since 9/11, al Qaeda terrorists remain at large and remain plotting. We understand that we cannot deal with any of these problems in isolation. There will be no lasting peace unless we expand spheres of opportunity for the people of Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Ambassador Richard Holbrooke will lead our effort to forge and implement a strategic and sustainable approach to this critical region. He was recently in Afghanistan and Pakistan "to listen and learn the ground realities of these critically important countries." He has reported his findings to President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton.
Going forward, we must set clear priorities to pursue achievable goals that contribute to our collective security. The Obama Administration will refocus attention and resources on Afghanistan and Pakistan, and to spending those resources wisely. On February 17, the President ordered two additional U.S. combat brigades to Afghanistan. As the United States continues to develop our new strategic goals in Afghanistan, we will do so in concert with our friends and allies as together we seek the resources necessary to succeed. We will seek stronger partnerships with the governments of the region, sustained cooperation with our NATO allies, deeper engagement with the Afghan and Pakistani people, and a comprehensive strategy to combat terror and extremism. As President Obama has said, the solution is not just military but involves diplomacy and development.
Meanwhile, we have seen a more stable Iraq and a reduction in violence there. We congratulate the people of Iraq on holding significant provincial elections on January 31 – the first Iraqi elections since 2005. Millions of Iraqi citizens from every ethnic and religious group went peacefully to the polls across the country to choose new provincial councils in fourteen provinces. These elections represent another step forward in Iraq’s political evolution – a milestone event that provides broader representation for the Iraqi people. The results of the election appear to indicate a desire for responsive government that effectively addresses the needs of the people.
President Obama promised during the election campaign that the United States would responsibly draw down our forces that are in Iraq. The planned drawdown of troops will give Iraqis more responsibility over a sovereign and independent Iraq. President Obama believes an aggressive diplomatic effort is necessary to reach a comprehensive compact on the stability of Iraq and the region. This compact will aim to secure Iraq’s borders; isolate al Qaeda; support reconciliation among Iraq’s sectarian groups; and provide financial support for Iraq’s reconstruction and development. This effort will include all of Iraq’s neighbors.
As for U.S. policy toward Iran, President Obama has said that it is very important for the United States to use all the tools of U.S. power, including diplomacy, in our relationship with Iran. The President was very clear in noting that Iran has acted in ways that are not conducive to peace and prosperity in the region: their threats against Israel; their pursuit of a nuclear weapon which could potentially set off an arms race in the region that would make all countries less safe; their support of terrorist organizations – none of these things have been helpful. At the same time the President said clearly that it is important for us to be willing to talk to Iran, to express very clearly where our differences are, but also where there are potential avenues for progress. We will over the next several months be laying out our general framework and approach. There is a clear opportunity for the Iranian government to demonstrate some willingness to engage meaningfully with the international community. As President Obama has said, if Iran will unclench its fist, it will find an extended hand from us. Iran must send some signal that it will change, and must recognize that even though it enjoys rights as a member of the international community, with those rights come responsibilities.
The challenges America faces in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Iran and the Middle East are not America's alone, and America cannot face them alone. As President Obama said, "The common thread linking these challenges is the fundamental reality that in the 21st century, our destiny is shared with the world's. From our markets to our security, from our public health to our climate, we must act with that understanding that now more than ever, we have a stake in what happens across the globe. And as we learned so painfully on 9/11, terror cannot be contained by borders nor safely provided by oceans alone." As America embraces a more multilateral approach, we recognize the need for greater contributions from our allies.
Turkey has been a strategic ally of the United States for 58 years and our friend since the founding of the Turkish republic in 1923. The strength of the relationship is that it is not based solely on our long NATO alliance, as important as that is. I am often asked by journalists and others, "What are the common values that lie at the heart of the U.S.-Turkish partnership?" My answer is: "Democracy, economic prosperity and peaceful relations." Throughout history, both Turkey and the United States have struggled to be true to these values. And while we have each made many advances, many struggles lie ahead. We will not agree on every topic. Great allies will always face great challenges.
We face an uncertain world where one fact is certain: Turkey's importance to America is even more pronounced at a time when the Middle East in the 21st century has replaced Europe in the 20th century as the most critical region for U.S. core national security. Peace in the Middle East is vital to us both. Turkey has been an important regional player that has worked effectively with all of its neighbors. Turkey's influence is unique. As such, Turkey is an indispensable partner to the United States on issues related to the Middle East.
Just last week President Obama had warm and productive phone conversations with President Gül and Prime Minister Erdoğan. Both discussions were wide-ranging. The president emphasized the importance of the U.S. alliance with Turkey and says he looks forward to working with both President Gül and Prime Minister Erdoğan on a broad range of mutual strategic interests. The president emphasized his desire to strengthen U.S. -Turkish relations and to work together effectively in NATO. In each call, he reiterated the need to cooperate to meet the challenges of the 21st century together. In both calls, the leaders discussed a number of current issues, including U.S. support for the growing Turkish-Iraqi relationship, the importance of cooperation in Middle East peace efforts, and the review of Afghanistan and Pakistan policy.
Looking at the U.S.-Turkish relationship in terms of the issues I’ve discussed, I would say this: First, on Afghanistan – a stable Afghanistan is in both our interests and there U.S. and Turkish troops and diplomats are working side-by-side to solidify the democratic changes that have taken place and fight back a resurgent Taliban. Turkish troops are making a valuable contribution leading a Provincial Reconstruction Team in Wardak. On Iraq and Iran, no country has more to gain than Turkey from a stable, democratic, prosperous, and peaceful region. Turkey can make a unique contribution to regional stability by helping ensure peace, freedom, prosperity and stability in Iraq, and by supporting international efforts to convince Iran to end its destabilizing policies. We must pursue an aggressive diplomatic effort to reach a comprehensive compact on the stability of Iraq that secures Iraq’s borders, strengthens its government, and isolates al- Qaeda. We will work with Turkey to persuade Iran to stop pursuing a nuclear weapons capability, to stop supporting terrorist groups, and to do more to support Iraqi security and stability. Indeed, all states in the region must play a part in securing Iraqi and regional stability. We face a world where too often terrorists strike at the innocent, as we were reminded in Mumbai last November. Turkey and the United States both want to see an end to terrorism, particularly the end of the PKK and its attacks against Turkish citizens.
On the Middle East, the United States and Turkey share the goal of a peaceful Middle East with a two-state solution – Palestinians and Israelis living side-by-side in peace and security. The Obama Administration will actively and aggressively seek a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians, as well as Israel and its Arab neighbors. Special Envoy George Mitchell will lead our efforts to reinvigorate the process for achieving peace between Israel and its neighbors. He will work to support the objectives that are critical and pressing in Gaza, to develop a program for humanitarian aid and eventual reconstruction, working with the Palestinian Authority and Israel on behalf of those objectives. Turkey has an important, positive and constructive role to play in the region, and we look forward to Senator Mitchell coming to Turkey in the very near future to discuss these issues with the Turkish government.
More broadly, Turkey and the United States are working together in the G-20 to face the global economic crisis. The world now faces the most severe global economic challenge since the Great Depression of the 1930s. One lesson of the Great Depression was that without diplomatic cooperation and international coordination, it is more difficult to overcome these great economic difficulties. A global crisis needs a global response. Our solutions must be as wide in scope as the causes themselves, taking into account the complexities of the global economy, geopolitics, and the continued political and economic repercussions from the damage already done.
We have also worked together to realize the energy potential of this region. Turkey occupies a strategic location in the region's energy supply chain. Eight percent of the world's oil transits Turkey each day, and its position becomes increasingly important with the construction of each new pipeline on Turkish soil. Turkey and the United States are now building on the success of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, and we are developing a new generation of natural gas infrastructure that will help Europe secure its energy supplies at prices set by markets, not by monopolists, by connecting gas supplies in Azerbaijan and the Caspian Basin with Turkey and other European markets. We also look forward to Iraqi gas flowing through Turkey.
The United States strongly supports Turkey's bid to join the European Union. Turkish membership in the EU would afford it economic opportunities and cement its reform process. Europe has much to gain from Turkey as well. Turkey has a population that is, on average, much younger than that of the rest of Europe, and can provide the labor force and dynamism the European economy will need to meet the challenges of globalization.
Although we face grave economic and political challenges, this is a time for optimism and hope. In a BBC poll about people's attitudes toward the Obama administration, taken in 17 countries after the U.S. presidential elections, Turks showed the greatest increase - of all countries in the poll - in optimism about improved world relations with the United States. Fifty-one percent of Turks think America's relations with the rest of the world will improve under President Obama — up 40 points from just 11 per cent last summer.
UN Ambassador Susan Rice recently said in an interview with National Public Radio: “We will extend our hand. We will look to others to do the same. But we won't pick unnecessary battles. We won't seek confrontation for confrontation's sake. We want to set a very different tone and to signal to the world that America is back and that we want to lead in the way that can be trusted and respected.”
This new tone will be important. And I know that no matter what the future holds, the relationship between Turkey and the United States will remain solid because we want the same things. We believe in the same values: democracy, respect for individual rights, rule of law, market and open economies, and the spread of peace and stability throughout the region.
Thank you very much.