This year the trip (October 15-20) followed the Parliamentary elections in July and the Presidential election at the end of August. And it was in the immediate aftermath of passage in the House Foreign Affairs Committee, of the Armenian Resolution, H. Res. 106, and on upsurge of PKK terror in Turkey resulting in the loss of numerous Turkish lives. Many felt it was a dreadful time for Chairman Scowcroft and the ATC delegation to be in Turkey.
We could not have been more wrong. The timing of the trip was crucial and important. General Scowcroft was extremely well-received as a trusted friend and a valued confidant. It was a great opportunity for ATC and our members to show their steadfastness in the promotion of US-Turkish relations and the importance we attach to maintaining the strongest possible ties between the two nations.
The week’s program was tightly packed with meetings with Government officials and ATC members, speeches, media interviews, and visits to production facilities in Ankara, Eskisehir and Istanbul. Immediately upon arrival in Ankara, General Scowcroft was received by General Ergun Saygun, Vice-Chairman of the Turkish General Staff (TGS) whose remarks set the “leitmotiv” we would encounter throughout the week; dismay for the vote of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; anger for the failure of the US Government to assist Turkey in combating the PKK; but gratitude to General Scowcroft and the ATC for our support and leadership on both these issues.
Following General Saygun, the delegation met with the newly appointed Minister of State for Economic Affairs, Mehmet Simsek. The delegation left Minister Simsek, impressed with his youthful energy, his presentation skills, and clear command of his demanding economic responsibilities. Our kickoff dinner was held at the Hilton Hotel where our host, Mr. Firat Eren of NTF Construction (a Golden Horn member), awaited the group together with other guests. It was the first opportunity for the group to have a chance to talk, share stories and relax. It was an evening that set a positive mood for the entire trip.
Tuesday began with a breakfast meeting at Ambassador Wilson’s Residence, and a chance for the delegation to set reference points for issues they would confront in the days ahead. Amb. Wilson identified and gave his perspective on several topics of significance to US-Turkish relations, including the outcome of the elections, the recent increase in PKK attacks, the Armenian Resolution, and the special strains the latter two put on the relations.
Following this brief, General Scowcroft gave interviews to Reuters and the Milliyet Daily. Minister of Defense Vecdi Gonul, Undersecretary of Defense Industries, Mr. Murad Bayar, and other officials of the Defense Department and TGS gave a very informative briefing on matters of security and procurement at the Ministry of National Defense. Lunch was at the Etrak Restaurant, hosted by Ambassador Faruk Logoglu (Ret), President of ASAM (a prominent Turkish think-tank). After lunch, Chairman Scowcroft delivered a speech at ASAM to a large crowd on US-Turkish Relations and recent developments. Tuesday evening a dinner was given in honor of Chairman Scowcroft and the delegation at the Turkish Grand National Assembly hosted by the Assembly’s Vice-President, Mr. Eyup Cenap Gulpinar. Vice-President Gulpinar, and other Members of Parliament received Chairman Scowcroft and the delegation with great warmth and friendship and generous hospitality typical of that which we received throughout the week.
On Wednesday morning, Ms. Nancy McEldowney, Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, hosted a breakfast meeting at her Residence with representatives of the Defense Sector companies who participated on the trip together with Mr. Murad Bayar, Undersecretary of Defense Industries (SSM). After the breakfast, the entire delegation accompanied Chairman Scowcroft to the meeting with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan at his office in Bakanliklar. The discussion was open and candid and thoughtful. The Prime Minister thanked General Scowcroft and ATC for their strong support of Turkey and the bilateral relationship. While focusing on the PKK and the Armenian Resolution, the Prime Minister expressed his Government’s commitment to its western, democratic orientation and said he looked forward to meeting General Scowcroft again in Washington when he visited President Bush in early November.
Following lunch at the famous Uludag Iskender Restaurant, the delegation met with Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Mr. Mehdi Eker. Minister Eker and Chairman Scowcroft both agreed that agriculture was one area where the hurdles had been largely overcome and that things were moving in the right direction between the two allies. Both sides are looking forward to the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding in the near future. Later that afternoon, Chairman Scowcroft, with Ambassador Holmes, Dr. Eric Melby and Golden Horn and Board Member, Dr. Cengiz Israfil met with President Abdullah Gul while the rest of the group prepared for the departure to Eskisehir. Chairman Scowcroft extended congratulations to President Gul as well as expressions of regret for the passage of the Armenian Resolution and sympathy for the loss of lives to PKK terror attacks. He invited President Gul to attend the 2008 Annual Conference. President Gul was warm and generous in his remarks but also clearly anguished about the course of US-Turkish affairs, particularly the passage of the Armenian Resolution.
The Eskisehir Businessmen and Industrialist Entrepreneurs Association (EGSIAD), part of TUSKON, hosted our program in Eskisehir. We were greeted by a large group of businessmen and local officials at the Osman Gazi University Auditorium. The President of the University, Prof. Faik Tekin, the Mayor of Eskisehir, Prof. Yilmaz Buyukersen, EGSIAD President Mr. Yuksel Pilgir, other officials, and businessmen extended warm greetings to the Chairman and the delegation. Chairman Scowcroft gave a speech, which was received with enthusiasm by the attendees. Following the dinner, there was a networking reception during which members of the delegation met with the hosts and businessmen who wished to discuss business opportunities with the United States. Acquaintances were made, cards exchanged and potential business ventures discussed during this most impressive dinner and reception. As the group left for the hotel, we were each presented with baskets of Eskisehir’s homegrown products and other thoughtful gifts.
Thursday morning began with a breakfast meeting at Alp Aviation Plant, after which the group toured the plant that produces parts for Sikorsky helicopters. It is an impressive state-of-the-art technology production site, and Sikorsky is proud to be working with them. We then paid a courtesy call on General Babaoglu, Commander of the First Turkish Air Force, followed by a visit to CAOC (Combined Aerospace Operations Center) where Brigadair General Tom Anderson briefed the group. The last stop in Eskisehir was TULOMSAS, Turkey’s only production plant for locomotives and train wagons, which has recently signed a contract with U.S. (GM) for $2.7 million for 50 wagons. The Chairman of TULOMSAS, Mr. Hayri Avci, his colleagues and a large contingent of local press awaited the group at the factory. Chairman Scowcroft and Chairman Avci discussed the partnership of TULOMSAS with GM, upcoming projects, and the success of their business enterprise with US firms. Chairman Avci presented a plaque marking the visit and expressed his wishes to see ATC again in Eskisehir and at the plant.
The delegation departed for Istanbul with a deep appreciation for Eskisehir, its people, and their success in putting their city on Turkey’s map of academic, business, and public management progress.
By bus and ferry, and racing against the clock, the group arrived just in time for General Scowcroft to deliver his speech at the Istanbul Policy Center of the Sabanci University. In his address, General Scowcroft emphasized the continuing and surpassing importance of Turkey and United States for one another, the political challenges to a durable relationship, and our interdependencies in the region. The speech was followed by an enthusiastic Q&A session and a reception where the students and other guests got a chance to meet and chat with the Chairman. Dinner Thursday evening was at ATC Board Member Sahir Erozan’s residence. After the fast, full pace of the day, it was an opportunity to relax and enjoy a beautiful October dusk on the outdoor terrace, casual conversation with the guests, and a delicious dinner prepared by Chef Aret Sahakyan.
Friday morning brought another day of meetings and visits starting with a triangular breakfast meeting of ATC, ABFT and TAIK board members at the Conrad Hotel. The discussions centered on the ways in which all three organizations can mutually work together to promote business and stabilize relations, particularly at a difficult period, and successfully manage joint programs. After the meeting, the group left for the Kariye Museum, a wonderful 11th Century Church of Chora with its beautiful Byzantine frescoes and mosaics. The leisurely visit was followed by tea at the garden before the group headed to Zeyrekhane, another old part of Istanbul and the site of the Church of Christ Pantocrator built by Empress Irene in 1124. The old district surrounding the Church, which later was turned into a Mosque, is still in the process of being restored.
The restaurant Zeyrekhane, is a great location on this Northwestern shore of Galata with a stupendous view of the Golden Horn and the Old City. FritoLay hosted our luncheon there, and our special guests, the Archbishop of the Turkish Armenian Church, Mesrob Mutafyan II, and the President of the Turkish Jewish Community, Slyvio Odavio. Discussions centered on the Armenian Resolution and what passage by the full House of Representatives would mean for the Armenian Community in Turkey and for Armenian-Turkish relations, and the welfare of the Armenian and Jewish communities in Turkey. Great company, delicious food, and the beautiful weather made for a particularly enlightening and pleasant affair.
We then proceeded to the offices of Golden Horn member and Eczacibasi Chairman Bulent Eczacibasi, and discussed Turkey’s business environment and several cultural issues. Dinner that evening was hosted by TAIK at the Ciragan Palace Bellini Restaurant. Our host, Mr. Ferit Sahenk, Chairman of TAIK, welcomed the delegation and thanked General Scowcroft for his unwavering support of Turkey and for coming to Turkey during such a difficult period in the relationship. In return, General Scowcroft emphasized the undiminished importance of Turkey for the United States and the need to continue supporting this vital strategic alliance.
It was a very fast yet extremely fruitful visit to Turkey. None of it would have been possible without the support of our sponsors and members. We thank Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Alp Aviation, Boeing, EGSIAD, Sikorsky, and TUSKON as well as our hosts ASAD, Turkish Grand National Assembly, Ambassador Ross Wilson, Ms. Nancy McEldowney, Mr. Sahir Erozan, FritoLay, and TAIK.
