The chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, commonly called the Helsinki Commission, has warned that Turkey's continuing civil war against its Kurdish population is undermining the country's stability. Today, we will examine both the potential mutual benefits of closer relations with Turkey, and the peril of unconditional support for a government unable to resolve crises that threaten the existing political order and regional stability. Turkey stood by the United States in Korea, against Saddam Hussein during the Gulf War and in its aftermath in Operation Provide Comfort.
Turkey also supports our efforts to bring peace to Bosnia.
Turkey has purchased billions of dollars of U.S. military equipment over the years and has been identified as one of the ten biggest emerging markets for U.S. exports. The potential benefits of closer cooperation are obvious. At the same time, however, a complex and profound crisis increasingly divides Turkey's citizens along national, ethnic and religious lines, threatening the existing social and political order. Extremist violence and terrorism is polarizing Turks and Kurds, Islamic groups and secular and anti-secular proponents. While the rights of all Turkey's citizens are restricted under the mantle of combating terrorism, Kurds bear the brunt of such repression.