Tag: James Jeffrey

  • US denies intelligence sharing lack after PKK attacks

    US denies intelligence sharing lack after PKK attacks

    U.S. Ambassador in Ankara James Jeffrey denied any deficiency in his country’s part in intelligence sharing with the Turkish Army after PKK attacks.

    Monday, 21 June 2010 16:26

    U.S. Ambassador in Ankara James Jeffrey denied any deficiency in his country’s part in intelligence sharing with the Turkish Army after PKK attacks.

    Jeffrey, in a message of condolence he released Monday for the families of Turkish soldiers killed in a deadly attack staged by PKK militants, said he shared the grief over the loss of Turkish soldiers, regarding PKK as the “common enemy” of Turkey and the U.S.

    A large group of PKK militants which infiltrated into Turkey from the North of Iraq, attacked a military outpost near the Iraqi border Saturday. 11 soldiers were killed and 16 were wounded during that attack and operations that ensued.

    In the after math of the attack news and comments appeared in the media voicing doubts over the intelligence sharing mechanism between the U.S. and Turkish Armed Forces against PKK.

    Many columnists and military analysts criticized the mechanism, some accuseed U.S. of not providing intelligence.

    Jeffrey’s message comes after such setting.

    Jeffrey said his country continued to actively support Turkey, “a U.S.ally” in his own words, in its fight to terminate the terrorist threat.

    “There is no change to the level of our intelligence-sharing with Turkey regarding PKK activities in northern Iraq.”

    In November 2007, Turkish Prime Minister met former U.S. President George W. Bush in Washington D.C. and the two agreed on intelligence sharing. The U.S. military began supplying real-time intelligence to Turkey and Turkish Armed Forces used the intelligence to launch air strikes against PKK targets in the north of Iraq.

    Agencies

  • Turkey warns US envoy over comments on domestic politics

    Turkey warns US envoy over comments on domestic politics

    06 February 2010

    US Ambassador
    US Ambassador

    Spokesman of Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said U.S. Ambassador in Ankara should have refrained from comments on Turkish domestic politics.

    Spokesman of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said Saturday the U.S. Ambassador in Ankara, James Jeffrey, should have refrained from comments on Turkish domestic politics.

    The MFA spokesperson’s remarks came after an interview that Jeffrey gave to a Turkish newspaper recently.

    Answering a question, the MFA spokesman said that Ambassador Jeffrey uttered certain remarks targeting Turkey’s internal policies while giving an interview to a Turkish newspaper recently.

    Based on diplomatic conventions, ambassadors should not make comments regarding internal politics of the countries in which they serve, the MFA spokesman stressed.

    Ambassador Jeffrey should approach this matter with greater sensitivity. Mr. Jeffrey should have refrained from making comments and remarks on Turkey’s internal political life, the MFA spokesman underlined.

    World Bulletin


  • INTRODUCING THE AMBASSADOR James F. Jeffrey

    INTRODUCING THE AMBASSADOR James F. Jeffrey

    AMBASSADOR

    Ambassador James F. Jeffrey

    James F. Jeffrey
    American Ambassador to Turkey

    Ambassador James F. Jeffrey was nominated to be Ambassador to Turkey by President Bush in June 2008.  He was confirmed by the Senate in October.

    Ambassador Jeffrey, a career member of the Foreign Service, previously served on detail to the National Security Council as the Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor.  Prior to this, he served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs at the Department of State.  His responsibilities included leading the Iran Policy Team and coordinating public diplomacy.

    Ambassador Jeffrey served as Senior Advisor to the Secretary of State for Iraq from August 2005 to August 2006.  Previously, he served as U.S. Charge d’affairs to Iraq from March 2005 to June 2005 and as Deputy Chief of Mission in Baghdad from June 2004 through March 2005.

    Earlier in his career, Ambassador Jeffrey served as Ambassador to Albania from October 2002 to May 2004.  Other assignments have included three tours in Turkey, including Deputy Chief of Mission from 1999-2002, as well as Deputy Chief of Mission in Kuwait and Deputy Special Representative for Bosnian Implementation.

    Ambassador Jeffrey received his bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University and his master’s degree from Boston University. He served in the U.S. Army in Germany and Vietnam from 1969 to 1976.

    Ambassador Jeffrey is accompanied by his wife, Gudrun.  They have two grown children, Jahn and Julia.

    Ambassador’s Remarks and Public events

    U.S. Ambassador James Jeffrey’s Written Statement in the Book of Honor at Anıtkabir

    December 3, 2008

    Ataturk’s legacy remains undiminished.  As a soldier who confronted foreign armies, a diplomat who stood toe-to-toe with the Great Powers, and a statesman who molded a modern country, Ataturk is a heroic figure whose vision for Turkey was both sweeping and farsighted.   He remains an inspiration for those who cherish peace, freedom and democracy, and his ideals serve as a beacon for everyone who dreams of a brighter tomorrow.

    As the U.S. Ambassador, it is only fitting that I return to Anitkabir.   I too draw inspiration from these columns, and from the memory of this extraordinary leader.  As Turkey and the United States work together on the challenges that lie ahead, we can be guided by the principles which Ataturk so eloquently championed.

    In the words of the great Turkish hero and President:  “Peace at Home and Peace in the World.”

    James Jeffrey

    Ambassador Jeffrey’s Remarks at Esenboga Airport

    November 30, 2008
    Ankara, Turkey

    Hello, I would like to say a couple of things.  I’m very very happy to be back in Turkey.  Throughout my 31 year career, I have worked on a number of occasions in Turkey, or worked with Turkey.  First in Adana, then Ankara and the last time in Ankara was in 1999-2002 as Deputy Chief of Mission.

    Turkey and the United States of America have been friends since 1923 and they have also been allies in Korea and then in NATO for 58 years.  We have a special alliance which is important for Ankara and Washington. I am very very glad to be back in Ankara and Turkey.  Thank you.

    Barack Obama:  America’s 44th President *

    James F. Jeffrey
    U.S. Ambassador

    America will mark an historical transition on January 20 when Barack Obama places his hand on Abraham Lincoln’s bible and takes the oath of office as America’s 44th President. The significance of this transition was best described by Barack Obama himself on election night in Chicago:  “If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.”

    In that same speech Barack Obama drew attention to the challenges ahead, saying: “For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime — two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century.”  These challenges that we face are not America’s alone, and America cannot overcome them alone. Turkey and the United States are already working together to respond to the global economic crisis.  No one knows how long or severe this crisis will be, but our countries will confront it with a shared interest in maintaining the free flow of goods and credit.

    The Turkish economy has come a long way since I last served here in 2001.  Turkey is now on the path to EU accession and one of the 20 largest economies in the world.  It has successfully completed an IMF program, attracted billions in foreign investment, and undertaken extensive structural reforms, including a major banking reform that created one of the soundest banking sectors among emerging market countries.  This dynamism and commitment to reform has made Turkey immensely attractive to U.S. businesses and investors.

    U.S.-Turkish trade is still relatively modest at $16.2 billion in 2008, but growing.  My government encourages American companies to look at business opportunities in Turkey.  One sector where there are many such opportunities is energy.  Several U.S. companies have successful energy investments in Turkey and already are contributing to meeting Turkey’s growing energy needs.  In addition to electricity generation investments, U.S. companies are involved in exploration.  Toreador is conducting exploration activities in the Black Sea, and Exxon Mobil recently signed a deal with TPAO for exploration in the same area.

    We want to find ways to do more.  The U.S. is committed to helping Turkey strengthen its energy security and meet its needs by diversifying its energy mix with a particular focus on renewable energy sources.  We want to establish more efficient and productive financing mechanisms to support Turkish energy projects, especially in light of the global financial crisis.  The U.S. Export-Import Bank has financed $1.6 billion in projects in Turkey and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation has supported $500 million worth of projects here.

    American companies are bullish about doing business in Turkey.  76% of U.S. companies responding to an American Business Forum in Turkey (ABFT) survey said their company’s initial decision to invest in Turkey was a good one.  73% said they would recommend investing in Turkey to others.  67% said they plan to invest further in Turkey. Those numbers represent a very strong vote of confidence in Turkish workers and the Turkish economy.

    There are, however, areas of concern for U.S. companies and these are reflective, I believe, of the concerns of foreign investors in Turkey in general.  Among the problems most often cited are the level of taxation and the compliance burden, and the inefficiency and lack of predictability in the legal system, particularly with regard to intellectual property rights (IPR).  Turkey passed some significant tax and IPR reforms in 2008, but more remains to be done.

    Barack Obama made change the hallmark of his campaign, but he also reaffirmed America’s long-standing commitment to open markets, saying:  “… we must build on the wealth that open markets have created, and share its benefits more equitably. Trade has been a cornerstone of our growth and global development. But we will not be able to sustain this growth if it favors the few, and not the many.”  I am confident that America’s commitment to its long-standing economic partnership with Turkey will endure.

    *Published in Businessweek Turkey – January 18, 2009

  • U.S. Ambassadorial nominee for Turkey doesn’t dispute Morgenthau’s record on Armenian Genocide

    U.S. Ambassadorial nominee for Turkey doesn’t dispute Morgenthau’s record on Armenian Genocide

    /PanARMENIAN.Net/ Ambassador to Turkey designate James Jeffrey, in response to questions from Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman and Vice-Presidential candidate Joe Biden (D-DE), affirmed that official U.S. diplomatic reports by Ambassadors Morgenthau and Elkus and other Armenian Genocide-era U.S. diplomats in the Ottoman Empire did, in fact, describe the attempted extermination of the Armenian population, the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) told PanARMENIAN.Net.

    “Although falling far short of a clear and proper recognition of the Armenian Genocide, Ambassador Jeffrey, in his response to Senator Biden’s questioning, moved U.S. policy in the right direction by publicly agreeing – after long years of official disregard, disrespect, and dismissal of Ambassador Henry Morgenthau’s proud legacy – that our nation’s diplomatic representatives to the Ottoman Empire did, in fact, document the Ottoman government’s clear intent and systematic campaign to destroy its Armenian population,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “We want to thank Chairman Biden for his thoughtful inquiries that led to this reaffirmation of the American record, and to, once again, express our appreciation to Senators Menendez and Kerry for their incisive lines of questioning during the Foreign Relations Committee’s confirmation hearing earlier this week.”

    In questions submitted to the Amb. Jeffrey, Sen. Biden asked: “Do you dispute that U.S. diplomats serving in the Ottoman Empire during the Armenian Genocide documented a systematic, government-sponsored campaign ‘with intent to destroy, in whole or in part’ the Armenian population?”

    Ambassador-Designate Jeffrey provided the following response: No. I have read many of the historical records from 1915-1916 related to U.S. diplomatic reporting on these events in Turkey, and I do not dispute that Ambassador Morgenthau, Ambassador Elkus, and other diplomats during that time period reported on what they described as an attempt to exterminate the Armenian population.

    Source: www.panarmenian.net, 27.09.2008