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PANETTA TO REINFORCE STRONG U.S.-TURKEY PARTNERSHIP
by Donna Miles
Defense Department Documents and Publications
December 15, 2011
USA
ANKARA, Turkey, Dec. 15, 2011 - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta
arrived here today to reinforce the United States' strong relationship
with a critical security partner within the region and NATO.
Panetta traveled here after ceremonies in Iraq marking the end of the
U.S. Forces Iraq mission, with stops also in Afghanistan and Djibouti.
In Ankara, the secretary will meet with President Abdullah Gul and
Turkish defense leaders to thank them for their country's leadership
during a period of transition and change within the region.
"Turkey represents a key ally in the Middle East," Panetta told
reporters traveling with him.
In addition to being a strong NATO ally, Turkey is "extremely important
to the ability to try to keep what is happening in the Middle East
headed in the right direction," he said.
"They can have an influence on what happens in Egypt, what happens in
Iraq, what happens in Iran, what happens in Syria," the secretary said.
Panetta noted that Turkey has taken a strong position in condemning
Syria's violent crackdown on protestors and calling for President
Bashar Assad to step down.
"Turkey is coming on very strong in recent weeks in full alignment
with our efforts and those of our key Arab and European partners,"
a senior defense official traveling with Panetta told reporters.
The secretary also said he will commend Turkey's decision to host
the forward-based radar for the NATO missile defense system.
Panetta also is expected to thank the Turks for their contributions
to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.
Also during the visit, the secretary is expected to express the United
States' solidarity in its fight against the PKK terrorists and ways to
continue that support as U.S. forces complete their drawdown in Iraq,
the official said.
Echoing a theme he raised earlier this month, the secretary is
likely to encourage Turkey to strengthen and, where necessary, build
relations with key neighbors, including Israel, Armenia and Cyprus,
the official said.
by Donna Miles
Defense Department Documents and Publications
December 15, 2011
USA
ANKARA, Turkey, Dec. 15, 2011 - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta
arrived here today to reinforce the United States' strong relationship
with a critical security partner within the region and NATO.
Panetta traveled here after ceremonies in Iraq marking the end of the
U.S. Forces Iraq mission, with stops also in Afghanistan and Djibouti.
In Ankara, the secretary will meet with President Abdullah Gul and
Turkish defense leaders to thank them for their country's leadership
during a period of transition and change within the region.
"Turkey represents a key ally in the Middle East," Panetta told
reporters traveling with him.
In addition to being a strong NATO ally, Turkey is "extremely important
to the ability to try to keep what is happening in the Middle East
headed in the right direction," he said.
"They can have an influence on what happens in Egypt, what happens in
Iraq, what happens in Iran, what happens in Syria," the secretary said.
Panetta noted that Turkey has taken a strong position in condemning
Syria's violent crackdown on protestors and calling for President
Bashar Assad to step down.
"Turkey is coming on very strong in recent weeks in full alignment
with our efforts and those of our key Arab and European partners,"
a senior defense official traveling with Panetta told reporters.
The secretary also said he will commend Turkey's decision to host
the forward-based radar for the NATO missile defense system.
Panetta also is expected to thank the Turks for their contributions
to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.
Also during the visit, the secretary is expected to express the United
States' solidarity in its fight against the PKK terrorists and ways to
continue that support as U.S. forces complete their drawdown in Iraq,
the official said.
Echoing a theme he raised earlier this month, the secretary is
likely to encourage Turkey to strengthen and, where necessary, build
relations with key neighbors, including Israel, Armenia and Cyprus,
the official said.