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2008

Turkey-U.S. Relations: Potential and Perils

Members

Hon. Chris Smith

Chairman

Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe

Hon. Steny Hoyer

Commissioner

Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe

Hon. John Edward Porter

Commissioner

Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe

Hon. John Shattuck

Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor and Executive Branch Commissioner

Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe

Witnesses

Marshall Adair

Deputy Assistant Secretary of European and Canadian Affairs

U.S. Department of State

Alan Makovsky

Senior Fellow

Washington Institute for Near East Policy

Christopher Panico

Research Associate

Human Rights Watch

The hearing examined both the potential mutual benefits of closer relations with Turkey, and the peril of unconditional support for a government unable to resolve crises that threaten the existing political order and regional stability. Turkey, a NATO ally and OSCE participating State is poised as a unique strategic and economic partner astride the Middle East, Central Asia, the Caucasus, and the Balkans. Turkey stood by the United States in Korea, against Saddam Hussein during the Gulf War, and in its aftermath in Operation Provide Comfort. Turkey also supported our efforts to bring peace to Bosnia. 

The potential benefits of closer cooperation are obvious. At the same time, however, a complex and profound crisis increasingly divides Turkey’s citizens along national, ethnic, and religious lines, threatening the existing social and political order. Extremist violence and terrorism is polarizing Turks and Kurds, Islamic groups, both secular and anti-secular proponents. While the rights of all Turkish citizens under the mantle of combating terrorism, Kurds bear the brunt of such repression.

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