Published: January 12, 2012
US and Turkey Share Common Concern on Iran's Nuclear Program
By Mina Fabulous 
Deputy Secretary William J. Burns today said the United States and Turkey share a common concern about Iran's nuclear program during the interview with Anadolu News Agency in Ankara, Turkey.
During the interview, Mr. Burns said President Obama and Secretary Clinton continue to attach very high priority to U.S. partnership with Turkey.
"This is a partnership based on mutual benefit and mutual respect. It is also a partnership whose importance is only going to increase for both of us in the months and years ahead." -Mr. Burns
The Turkish Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in the Wardak Province of Afghanistan is part of the U.S. led-International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Photo: Wikimedia Commons |
He cited that he had very constructive meetings over the course of the last two days with the Foreign Minister and with my friend Undersecretary Sinirlioglu. He said the very wide range of issues that they discussed is a strong reminder of how much the U.S. and Turkey have to gain by working together.
"We discussed expanding economic and commercial cooperation, as Vice President Biden highlighted at the Entrepreneurship Summit in Istanbul last month. We discussed our common struggle against terrorism, especially against the PKK, which threatens Turkey, Iraq, the United States, and the international community." -Mr. Burns
He noted that Iran was an important item on that very broad agenda in his visit to Turkey. He said the United States and Turkey share a common concern about Iran's nuclear program and a common interest in ensuring that Iran does not develop a nuclear weapon. He noted that both countries discussed Turkey's historic constitutional reform process.
"We also addressed the historic changes that are unfolding across the Middle East and our shared interest in the success of the democratic transitions in Egypt, in Tunisia, and in Libya. Obviously these transitions are going to be shaped by the people of those countries themselves." -Mr. Burns
He stressed that both countries have worked effectively together to underscore Iran's nuclear concerns. He said the sanctions whether from the UN Security Council or taken by individual nations or groups of nations are not an end in themselves.
"They are a means to an end to make clear to the Iranian leadership that it must live up to its international responsibilities and obligations." -Mr. Burns
He stressed that the United States has made clear with ts partners in the P5+1, that they are prepared to engage in serious negotiations with Iran on international concerns about its nuclear program.
"But we are also, at the same time, deeply concerned about Iran's failure to live up to its international obligations. For this reason, we have sought to work with friends and partners around the world to try to demonstrate that there are consequences to not living up to those obligations." -Mr. Burns
He emphasized that President Obama has made clear on many occasions that the question is not whether or not Iran has a right to the peaceful development of nuclear energy, it is whether Iran is living up to the responsibilities that come with that right, just as they would ask of any country around the world.
"We want to work with Turkey and with our other partners to try to make this clear to the Iranian leadership." -Mr. Burns
Mina Fabulous follows the news, especially what is going on in the US State Department. Mina turns State Department waffle into plain english. Contact Mina through NewsBlaze.
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