N. Burns IV with Kanal D's Mehmet Ali Birand

Interview with Kanal D's Mehmet Ali Birand

R. Nicholas Burns, Under Secretary for Political Affairs

Ankara, Turkey
January 19, 2007

Released by U.S. Embassy-Ankara, Turkey

BIRAND: Turkish Armenian writer Hrant Dink was gunned down today in Istanbul. Do you think this will have any effect on the US Turkish relationship?

UNDER SECRETARY BURNS: Well, let me just say first of all that we very shocked and saddened to hear about the murder of Mr. Dink today. He was a known champion of human rights. He was someone who stood for the right things which is reconciliation between Turks and Armenians. And we hope very much that his killers are going to be apprehended and brought to justice. This is an outrageous act of criminality. We denounce it in the most serious terms and we, of course, have seen the statements by the Turkish government condemning it.

We met with Foreign Minister Gul in a previously scheduled meeting and he told us how shocked the Turkish Cabinet was. So, we look forward to see Turkish justice and we look forward to see these killers brought to justice. But this is certainly a crime which should be denounced by all the Turkish people as well as people around the world because this man was a good man who championed human rights and championed democracy. And I think that’s what people are going to focus on around the world. Whether it’s in the Armenian Diaspora or outside that community, they’re going to want to know who killed him and why and they’re going to want to know that the killers are punished and that they’re brought to justice.

BIRAND: There is an overall belief that the Bush Administration will not be able to block a possible Armenian genocide bill to be submitted to the US Congress this year. Do you agree?

UNDER SECRETARY BURNS: Well, these types of resolutions have occurred on an annual basis for a long time and this year will be no exception. There does appear to be a lot of momentum behind this bill* in the Congress. The position of our government is well known. We are opposing these resolutions. And we talked to the Turkish government over the two days here in Ankara about this. But it is important, obviously, that today’s events be put in perspective and I think it’s important to come back to those events. That’s what’s important today, to bring the killers of Mr. Dink to justice.

BIRAND: If the Turkish government finds the attacker soon, do you think the international reaction to the assassination will die down?

UNDER SECRETARY BURNS: It’s very difficult to say because this murder is so shocking and so barbaric that I think people are going to want to see and expect to see that justice will take hold. The other issue of the resolution is something that’s proceeding in the United States Congress several months from now. So, it’s very difficult to look ahead and to try to see what the effect is going to be. But I think it would be good to see Turkish citizens reject this kind of killing and to speak out against this because that’s what happens in a democratic society. We defend human rights, we defend those who stand up for tolerance and that should be true in Turkey as it is in my own country and all democratic countries.

BIRAND: You have wrapped up your meetings with Turkish political leaders in Ankara. Can you tell us about your visit here? What was discussed?

UNDER SECRETARY BURNS: We had a very good visit over the last two days. I met Prime Minister Erdogan and Foreign Minister Gul and a number of other Turkish officials. We have a strong partnership with Turkey. It rests on the fact that both of us are democracies, that we stand for the same things, that we Americans very much want to support Turkey and many endeavors here in its own region. We’re grateful for what Turkey is doing in Afghanistan. We’ re grateful for the fact that Turkey is supporting the Iraqi government and very grateful that we are allies in NATO. So, frankly, it was a very positive visit. And we had good discussions with the Turkish government and we agreed on far more than we disagreed.

BIRAND: If the Turkish military launches a cross border incursion into northern Iraq, do you think Turkish and the US troops in the region will clash?

UNDER SECRETARY BURNS: Well, first of all, we have made a commitment to the Turkish government that we are going to help it to stop PKK terrorism, to end the killing of Turkish soldiers and civilians by the PKK. That is the commitment we’ve made. We’re working with the Turkish and Iraqi governments on a solution to do just that, and that has to take priority and that ought to be the focus of the international efforts to stop the PKK. I think you know about our position on the PKK. We think it’s a terrorist group. We have American sanctions placed on it. We don’t support this group. We encourage all the European countries to close the political offices of the PKK because it is a murderous group, and it has killed a great number of Turkish citizens. So, I think it’s important for your viewers to know that the United States identifies with Turkey on this issue. We understand the frustrations of the Turkish people and we want to support the Turkish people. But the solution would lie in a common agreement; Iraq, Turkey and the United States. That’s where the best chance is to stop PKK terrorism cross-border attacks from positions in northern Iraq into Turkey itself.

BIRAND: Can you comment on the Mahmur camp inspection a few days ago? Can you tell us whether the camp will be closed or not?

UNDER SECRETARY BURNS: Well, the camp, unfortunately, has been used by the PKK as a source of support and source of rest for PKK fighters and that is inadmissible, that is wrong. So, Iraqi forces, assisted by the US conducted an inspection of the camp two days ago. We think this camp should be closed because, frankly, people have lived there for so long. It’s better for these people to be repatriated to their own countries, including Turkey and we do hope this camp can be closed in the near future.

BIRAND: I remember when you were Ambassador to NATO, you were playing drums in a band. I hope you’re still doing that, maybe you can play in Ankara.

UNDER SECRETARY BURNS: Well, that was actually…you’re very kind to remember that. That was actually my predecessor, Ambassador Vershbow, who is now our Ambassador in South Korea. I’m not nearly as talented as he is. But I will say, I’ve been very pleased to be here in Ankara and we feel very close to the Turkish government. We have an excellent relationship with that government. And, I think together as partners we Americans and Turks can be a force for stability in the Middle East, whether it’s to support the democratically elected government of Prime Minister Seniora in Lebanon and opposing, frankly, the attempts of the Iranian government to seek a nuclear weapons future, both of us trying to stabilize Iraq. So we have a lot in common, we have a good relationship. We’re looking forward to welcoming Foreign Minister Gul to Washington in just a few weeks.

BIRAND: Thank you very much.

UNDER SECRETARY BURNS: Thank you very much, pleasure.

* Note: The speaker is referring to a Congressional resolution, not a bill.

Released on January 19, 2007

ENDS

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