Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns told a standing room crowd at the Atlantic Council, including several former U.S. Ambassadors to Turkey and the current Turkish Ambassador to the United States, that we have reached a "critical juncture" in U.S. –Turkish relations and that we must take bold steps to "restore the primacy of Turkey as a strategic partner."

Amb. Burns proclaimed that Turkey is to the 21^st Century what Germany was to the 20^th: the key state in the region most critical to United States interests.  As "the most impressive democracy in the Moslem world" and therefore having a "dual identity" that is both European and Middle Eastern, Turkey is uniquely positioned to work with all countries in both regions. Burns sees Turkey as vital to negotiating difficulties in Iraq, Iran, and the Arab-Israeli dispute while the United States is key to Turkey's long term economic security.

Burns acknowledged that in recent years, relations between the United States and Turkey have been strained and that the war in Iraq has generated an “unprecedented wave” of anti-American sentiment in the Turkish public.  The United States has to “earn back trust” within Turkey by listening to the populace, conveying our respect, and emphasizing that the United States views Turkey as an “indispensable” ally. Burns assured the audience that we have already “turned the corner,” reestablishing solid relations since the two nations signed a common vision statement two years ago. A series of high-level visits is scheduled in the next few months. Burns will lead off the scheduled visits, followed by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and President George Bush.

When asked why Turkey would be responsive to American diplomatic overtures knowing that the Turkish public is so opposed to the United States and that Bush has relatively little time left in office, Burns pointed to the two nations’ shared interests and values. He noted that the United States remains a firm advocate of Turkish accession to the European Union, continuously advising the EU that excluding Turkey would be a “huge” strategic mistake. In addition, the United States is urging United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon to name a UN envoy to Cyprus and begin new rounds of negotiations.  

At Turkey’s behest, the United States is also working closely with Baghdad to end attacks from the PKK, a Kurdish paramilitary group with thousands of members based along Iraq’s border with Turkey. Burns could not provide details of efforts currently underway, but he assured the audience that the United States remains actively committed to ending the PKK’s terrorist incursions into Turkey.

While continually stressing the positive direction of the Turkish government, Burns emphasized the need to work harder on key issues, notably repealing Article 301, recognizing the Ecumenical Patriarch, and reaching accord with Armenia.   At the same time, the U.S. must not inflame matters by proclaiming Turkey's past treatment of Armenians as "genocide" or interfering in its sovereignty on delicate internal matters.

This Global Leadership Series event was made possible with the support of Raytheon.

For questions about the Global Leadership Series contact Magnus Nordenman, Assistant Director for the International Security Program, at  mnordenman@acus.org.