"Turkish-US relations remained strong"

“Edelman is the best person for the critical tasks that lie ahead,” said Cheney. The new ambassador is set to take up his post in Ankara in the middle of next month. In related news, former US Ambassador to Ankara Robert Pearson left the capital yesterday, closing out three years in office. In a farewell statement, he urged Turks to hold fast to their dreams and to water the tree of the enduring Turkish-US friendship.