Statement: Congressman Robert Wexler

Before I begin my remarks, I also want to thank my good friend Ambassador Logoglu, who is an excellent steward of American-Turkish relations and whose talents are especially valuable in these challenging times.
I would also like to compliment ATAA for organizing such an impressive and multifaceted convention focusing on the critical issues facing U.S.-Turkish relations, the new government of Turkey, and the Turkish American community. ATAA continues to play its uniquely prominent role in American-Turkish affairs and its mission and objectives are more important than ever.

My remarks today will focus on the growing and intertwined U.S.-Turkish relationship, which for years has been strongest at the strategic, military, and security level but weaker in terms of economic cooperation. I will also discuss the important role Congress and the Turkey Caucus are playing in this critical relationship with our NATO ally and partner in the war on terror.

These are exciting times in U.S.-Turkish relations, which I believe are at their strongest point in 50 years – yet there is also great turbulence and uncertainty due to several converging variables and crises facing Washington and Ankara. Over the next several weeks, the U.S.-Turkish relationship will be tested, pulled, and prodded from every political, economic, and security angle — like at no other time since the end of the Cold War. You cannot pick up a newspaper, whether it be the New York Times or the Milliyet or turn on CNN or NTV without reading or seeing critical domestic and foreign policy issues unfolding that involve both the United States and Turkey. Both nations are engaged in an effort to rid the world of the scourge of terror and are taking bold steps to address the threat of Saddam Hussein. In the meantime, the United States is making every effort to work with Turkey so that she achieves accession to the EU, and both nations are working together with the United Nations to address the Cypress issue.

There is no doubt that the United States and Turkey need each other now – more than ever – on all fronts – strategic, economic, and political. The results of events and actions taking place in Washington, Brussels, Copenhagen, Ankara, and Baghdad over the next several weeks will undoubtedly reshape the landscape of Turkey, the United States, the European Union, the Middle East and the rest of the world.

Over the next several months and for the foreseeable future, as these historic events unravel, it is essential that Congress play a leading role in enhancing and strengthening U.S.-Turkish relations. Unfortunately, over the past several decades, Congress has been mostly absent or obstructive in addressing and supporting the long-standing U.S.- Turkish relationship.

When I first came to Congress in 1997, I could not fathom why support for Turkey in Congress was almost non-existent given Turkey’s overwhelming support for the United States throughout the decades – from Korea through the Cold War, Gulf War and in the Balkans. Unfortunately, there were conflicting stories being told about Turkey and its relationship with the United States. If you talked to the Clinton or former Bush administration officials, they generally spoke glowingly about our iron-clad friendship and alliance with Turkey in the same breadth as that with some of our great allies, such as Great Britain, Israel and Japan. Yet on Capitol Hill, Turkey was often lumped in with the world’s worst rogue nations and human rights abusers.

The 107th Congress was a turning point for U.S.-Turkish relations in the United States Congress. In March 2001, I joined Congressman Ed Whitfield and Congresswoman Kay Granger in creating the Caucus on U.S.-Turkish Relations and Turkish Americans. Today, we have 46 members, which includes a diverse bipartisan group from across the nation. For the first time in the history of Congress, there is a dedicated group of Congressman and women who are devoted to fostering this long-standing relationship and strategic partnership. One of the purposes of forming this Caucus was to bring to light a different view of Turkey in the Congress and highlight the depth of the existing friendship and common interests between America and Turkey and our peoples. I would respectfully suggest that the tragic events of September 11 made the mission of the Caucus more crucial and relevant than any of us could have imagined.

Attitudes about Turkey in Congress are changing dramatically. Over the past two years, supporters of U.S.-Turkish relations inside and outside Washington, including members of ATAA, have made herculean efforts to educate Members of Congress about the great story of U.S.-Turkish relations and, most importantly, Turkey’s unconditional support for the United States in the war against terror. With this newfound support and attention, the Turkey Caucus moved quickly to introduce several important resolutions highlighting Turkey’s outstanding role in the war against terror and Operation Enduring Freedom and her impressive role in Afghanistan by taking the lead of the international security assistance force in Kabul. The Turkey Caucus spearheaded the passage of a resolution that I believe was the first pro-Turkey resolution passed in the history of the United States Congress. Even those members of Congress who have opposed a more robust U.S.-Turkish relationship in the past could no longer deny or whitewash the importance of Turkey to America’s national interest. This symbolic resolution, along with another resolution that passed in the House International Relations Committee that praised the importance of the U.S.-Turkish-Israeli alliance, is a positive sign that we are on the right track in raising support for Turkey on Capitol Hill.

The Turkey Caucus has also focused on upgrading the economic relations between the United States and Turkey, which today remains paltry in comparison to our other key allies and major international trading partners. Over the past decade, Turkey’s economy has struggled. We are all familiar with the fiscal mis-management that at times has plagued Turkey, but we must not minimize the impact of billions of dollars of trade lost after sanctions were placed on Iraq following the Gulf War. In 2000, the Turkish economy was in desperate need of reform to address a financial and currency crisis as well as a deepening recession. Over the past two years, with the guidance of the IMF and in furtherance of her own economic objectives, Turkey adopted substantial reform measures which have helped to stabilize the economy and plant the seeds for positive growth. However, this positive economic trend is again threatened by the potential of military action in Iraq. In fact, just the talk of war is already taking a toll on Turkey’s economy. To prevent Turkey from slipping back into recession, and make a mockery of the recent reform measures, it is essential that America recognize Turkish concerns and be as forthcoming and innovative as possible.

To offer Turkey tremendous economic and trade assistance at this critical juncture is not only in America’s self-interest – but I believe – it is a test of our moral character as a nation and reflection on our true determination to defeat terror and support democracy throughout the world. If we fail to be as generous as possible with Turkey in this dire time of need, America will have abdicated her responsibility of being the leader of the free world. In light of the intransigence of the European Union to include Turkey in its expansion – America’s obligation to act as Turkey’s true partner grows even larger.

Congress must work in tandem with the Administration to upgrade economic cooperation and trade with Turkey. For example, following the first Turkey Caucus Trip to Ankara last February, Congresswoman Granger and I came back to Washington and introduced a resolution urging the Administration to upgrade the overall economic relationship with Turkey. In addition, the Turkey Caucus worked closely with the Bush administration and Congressman Crane to introduce the Turkey-Israel QIZ legislation. Although the QIZ legislation did not pass, it signaled that the Administration and Congress are taking the right steps to expand economic cooperation with Turkey.

During the 108th Congress, I will join Turkey Caucus members and other Members of Congress in seeking new and exciting options to enhance trade between the United States and Turkey, including steps to review a possible Free Trade Agreement with Turkey or looking closely at a regional trade arrangement for Turkey and some of her neighbors, similar to that of the Carribean Basin Initiative or the Andean Trade Preference Act. These ideas must be thoroughly reviewed and acted on if we are to finally upgrade our economic relationship to a level equal to that of our military and security relationship.

Over the next few months, the Caucus will also work closely with the Bush administration to support a significant foreign aid package for Turkey that may include bilateral economic and military assistance as well as a review of Turkey’s military debt to the United States. We will also urge the Administration to keep its commitment to securing the necessary international aid and support for Turkey at the IMF.

Although we have had great success in the 107th Congress, one of the most important goals for the Caucus during the 108th Congress will be to add more members of Congress to the Turkey Caucus. Increasing the size of the Caucus, will enable the supporters of U.S.-Turkish relations to quickly address sensitive issues involving our partnership with Turkey. With the help of ATAA and other organizations supportive of upgrading U.S.-Turkish relations, we can obtain our goal of a balanced playing field in Congress and ultimately strengthen support in Washington for closer relations with Turkey.

In conclusion, I am convinced that Turkey, being a secular Muslim democracy, represents one of the best hopes of spreading tolerance, justice and political freedom throughout the globe and especially among Muslim nations in the Middle East and Central and Southeast Asia. I know there are some in Turkey who are not comfortable with Turkey being pigeonholed as the "world’s model" of a secular Muslim democracy; they rightfully argue that Turkey is European, multi-ethnic and multi-religious. They are correct on all counts. However, Turkey is what no other Muslim majority country in the world is – a secular democracy. If Turkey is not the model, who is? Muslim youth around the world who live without hope, under repressive regimes need alternatives to extremism and intolerance being bred in their countries. These young men and women are desperate for an alternative political and economic future. Turkey, especially with its new leadership, has an opportunity to reach out and use its substantial influence in the Muslim world, embrace its leadership role, and bear the burden and responsibility of a world leader. Turkey must aggressively pursue the process of transferring its political success to its neighbors and to provide an alternative to extremism that is knocking at its borders.

As America asks more from our NATO ally in the coming months, it is imperative that the we be sensitive to Turkey’s concerns about Iraq and its economic worries. America must continue to make it abundantly clear that we will not support an independent Kurdish State in Northern Iraq and we must heed Turkey’s concerns about the potential for a humanitarian refugee crisis on its border if military action is commenced in Iraq.

This past week, I had the honor to meet with Chairman Erdogan. I was greatly impressed with his strong commitment for bold action on the economic and political challenges facing Turkey. I was heartened to hear of his support for the international war on terror and coalition efforts to disarm Saddam Hussein. In response, I congratulated him on his electoral victory in November and offered my hope that he would use this newfound majority in Turkey’s Parliament to fulfill the promise that Ataturk laid out over 75 years ago. After speaking with Chairman Erdogan, I am convinced that he is committed to maintaining the secular and democratic ideals of Turkey.

Having formed the Turkey Caucus I have developed a deep affection and respect for the Turkish people and culture. Never would I have imagined that the security and future of the United States would be so intertwined with the nation of Turkey. But it is. Americans and Turks are joined at the hip when it comes to our collective security. That is good news for both nations because we have proven ourselves over time to be loyal friends and allies. Let’s make sure that it stays that way.

Thank you very much.