Finding a Path Forward Together

August 3, 2010

Senator John Kerry (D-MA), chairman, Senate Foreign Relations Committee, nomination hearing for U.S. ambassadors to Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon and Turkey, July 20, 2010:

“Turkey is an important ally with strong governing institutions, a dynamic economy, and a vibrant civil society in a region where such assets are rare. Today, Turkey is making important contributions in Iraq and in Afghanistan as a member of NATO, and we are grateful for their support. We‘re all aware that Turkey has recently begun asserting its interests in the Middle East, and it will be a positive development if Turkey emerges as a more moderate alternative to Iranian influence in the region. Of course, we are troubled by the deterioration of Turkey‘s relations with Israel. It‘s in all of our interest that these two crucial American partners resolve the current impasse. And while the United States and Turkey will have our differences, this is an important relationship and we need to find a productive path forward together.”



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“We knew at the outset that the task would be difficult. We acknowledged that publicly and privately. We knew this would be a road with many bumps— and there have been many bumps—and that continues to this day. But we are not deterred. We are, to the contrary, determined more than ever to proceed to realize the common objective, which we all share, of a Middle East that is at peace with security and prosperity for the people of Israel, for Palestinians, and for all the people in the region. We will continue our efforts in that regard, undeterred and undaunted by the difficulties, the complexities or the bumps in the road.”—George Mitchell, special envoy for Middle East peace, remarks with Prime Minister Netanyahu, September 29, 2010

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