Turkish Coalition of America on Twitter Turkish Coalition of America on Facebook Turkish Coalition of America on YouTube
Turkish Coalition of America
  • Amerika Turk Koalisyonu

TCA Protests Statements by Senators Kyl and Kirk Against Turkey

Number 172 | July 28, 2011

A letter by Republican Senators Jon Kyl of Arizona and Mark Kirk of Illinois to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta voiced objections to the stationing of a NATO missile defense radar system in Turkey. The Senators preposterously allege that Turkey is not a reliable US ally and, hence, demand that unless Turkey is completely removed from the system’s operation and its data collection and sharing, it should not be positioned in Turkey. The Senators further demand guarantees that data collected from the system will be shared with Israel, a non-NATO country, placing Turkey and its citizens in the cross hairs in the event of a shooting war between Israel and Iran, a risk Turkey should not have to bear.

First, the Turkish Coalition of America (TCA) categorically rejects the allegations made by the two Senators that Turkey is not a reliable NATO ally. The recent visit by Secretary Clinton to Turkey has demonstrated once again that the foreign and security policy interests of the United States and Turkey converge on nearly all vital issues in the region and beyond. The visit was testimony to the fact that the two countries are working side by side to address the most important challenges that this region and the world face today. It seems like the two senators’ real objective, reflected by their baseless accusations leveled against Turkey, may indeed be to jeopardize the current atmosphere of cooperation and allied spirit between the two countries, while pandering to domestic and foreign special interests.

Second, Senator Kyle’s and Senator Kirk’s statements echo the worst uninformed rhetoric about Turkey heard in certain circles in Washington, which may find partial support in the halls of Congress around this significant issue. TCA remains concerned that this kind of rhetoric may create serious contention between Turkey and the United States at this critical period in time, with spill-over effect on other areas where the need for close US-Turkey cooperation is paramount.

Turkey is a NATO front-line country in a challenging region. First and foremost, then, both the U.S. and Turkey ought to measure the wisdom of stationing this missile defense radar in Turkey against any impact it would have on Turkey's demonstrated ability to constructively engage its neighbors. Preserving this unique regional role of Turkey may provide the greatest peace dividends of all.

  • Post this article to Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Print this page

Past TCA Issue Papers

  • Libya Contact Group Meets in Istanbul to Discuss TransitionLibya Contact Group Meets in Istanbul to Discuss Transitionread more
  • 10th TCA Congressional Delegation Completes Visit to Turkey10th TCA Congressional Delegation Completes Visit to Turkeyread more
  • TCA Protests Statements by Senators Kyl and Kirk Against TurkeyTCA Protests Statements by Senators Kyl and Kirk Against Turkeyread more
  • Turkey Sends Humanitarian Aid to SomaliaTurkey Sends Humanitarian Aid to SomaliaTwo Turkish cargo planes carrying 50 ton...read more
  • Turkish Cypriots Celebrate Anniversary of Cyprus Peace OperationTurkish Cypriots Celebrate Anniversary of Cyprus Peace Operationread more
  • US Interests in Iraq: Like a Good Neighbor, Turkey is ThereUS Interests in Iraq: Like a Good Neighbor, Turkey is Thereread more
  • Secretary Clinton To Visit TurkeySecretary Clinton To Visit TurkeySecretary of State Hillary Clinton will ...read more
  • State Department Commends Turkey on Syria CrisisState Department Commends Turkey on Syria Crisisread more
  • Turkey Recognizes Libya's Transitional National CouncilTurkey Recognizes Libya's Transitional National Councilread more
  • Major TCA Grant Supports Iraqi Christian Refugees in TurkeyMajor TCA Grant Supports Iraqi Christian Refugees in Turkeyread more
  • American Educators Embark on Study Tours to TurkeyAmerican Educators Embark on Study Tours to Turkeyread more
  • Turkey Provides Safe Haven to Syrian RefugeesTurkey Provides Safe Haven to Syrian Refugeesread more
  • TCA Congressional Delegation Visits TurkeyTCA Congressional Delegation Visits TurkeyA Congressional delegation led by Repres...read more
  • Turkey Launches Restoration of Armenian Historical SiteTurkey Launches Restoration of Armenian Historical Siteread more
  • April 23 Celebrated by Turkish Americans Across the USApril 23 Celebrated by Turkish Americans Across the USread more
  • State Department Commends Turkey For Keeping Syria Border OpenState Department Commends Turkey For Keeping Syria Border Openread more
  • Turkey Provides Safe Haven to Syrian RefugeesTurkey Provides Safe Haven to Syrian Refugeesread more
  • Turkey Evacuates Hundreds of Wounded from LibyaTurkey Evacuates Hundreds of Wounded from Libyaread more
  • France Spoiled Turkey's Peace Plan on LibyaFrance Spoiled Turkey's Peace Plan on Libyaread more
  • Turkish Parliament Authorizes Libya ActionTurkish Parliament Authorizes Libya ActionTurkey's parliament on March 24 approved...read more
  • Turkey Assumes Diplomatic Functions for United States in LibyaTurkey Assumes Diplomatic Functions for United States in Libyaread more
  • Turks Will Train Afghan Police Force in TurkeyTurks Will Train Afghan Police Force in Turkeyread more
  • President Calls Turkish Prime Minister Over LibyaPresident Calls Turkish Prime Minister Over Libyaread more
  • A Voice of Common Sense in Armenian Diaspora?A Voice of Common Sense in Armenian Diaspora?read more
  • TCA Donates $100,000 to Help Haiti Earthquake VictimsTCA Donates $100,000 to Help Haiti Earthquake Victimsread more
  • In Turkey's Example, Some See a Map for EgyptIn Turkey's Example, Some See a Map for Egyptread more
  • EU Officials: Turkey of Crucial Importance to EUEU Officials: Turkey of Crucial Importance to EUread more
  • Return of the Turks as Middle East KingmakerReturn of the Turks as Middle East Kingmakerread more
  • A Stirring Moment in Jazz History to Echo in Turkish EmbassyA Stirring Moment in Jazz History to Echo in Turkish Embassyread more
  • Turkey Leverages Economy for Global Soft PowerTurkey Leverages Economy for Global Soft Powerread more
  • Turkey's Rising Regional PowerTurkey's Rising Regional PowerThe following are excerpts from articles...read more
  • President Obama: Relationship with Turkey More Important Than EverPresident Obama: Relationship with Turkey More Important Than Everread more
  • European Foreign Ministers Issue Strong Support for Turkey's EU MembershipEuropean Foreign Ministers Issue Strong Support for Turkey's EU Membershipread more
  • Armenia Sent Arms to Iran, Used in Attacks Against U.S.TroopsArmenia Sent Arms to Iran, Used in Attacks Against U.S.Troopsread more
  • Turkey Helps Israel Combat FireTurkey Helps Israel Combat FireIsrael’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netan...read more
  • Turkey's Big AmbitionsTurkey's Big Ambitions“In a visit to London last week, Turki...read more
  • Turkish American Legal Defense Fund Triumph: Federal Court Affirms David Krikorian Maliciously Lied About Congresswoman Jean Schmidt and Turkish AmericansTurkish American Legal Defense Fund Triumph: Federal Court Affirms David Kread more
  • "Israel must overcome the obsession of prestige and make every effort to revive from the ruins its ties with Turkey."  Haaretz*"Israel must overcome the obsession of prestige and make every effort to rread more
  • U.S. Praises Turkish Trainers of Afghan Security ForcesU.S. Praises Turkish Trainers of Afghan Security Forcesread more
  • DCCC Should Return Illicit DonationDCCC Should Return Illicit DonationOn October 14, Armenian gangsters were i...read more
  • TCA Ranks Third in Groups Sponsoring International Congressional TravelTCA Ranks Third in Groups Sponsoring International Congressional Travelread more
  • UN Probe Finds Gaza Flotilla Raid UnlawfulUN Probe Finds Gaza Flotilla Raid UnlawfulAccording to a report released by the UN...read more
  • TCA Voices Support for Mass at AkdamarTCA Voices Support for Mass at AkdamarThe Turkish Coalition of America (TCA) e...read more
  • TCA Congressional Delegation Completes Turkey VisitTCA Congressional Delegation Completes Turkey Visitread more
  • TCA Congressional Delegation Completes Macedonia VisitTCA Congressional Delegation Completes Macedonia Visitread more
  • Israel Accepts UN Investigation on Gaza Flotilla RaidIsrael Accepts UN Investigation on Gaza Flotilla Raidread more
  • British Prime Minister Speakson Gaza Situation, Turkey-Israel RelationsBritish Prime Minister Speakson Gaza Situation, Turkey-Israel Relationsread more
  • British Prime Minister Backs Turkey's EU AccessionBritish Prime Minister Backs Turkey's EU Accessionread more
  • The Treaty of Lausanne:Turkey's International RecognitionThe Treaty of Lausanne:Turkey's International Recognitionread more
  • TCA Mourns Senator Byrd - Champion of US-Turkey RelationsTCA Mourns Senator Byrd - Champion of US-Turkey Relationsread more
  • Congressional Delegation Visits TurkeyCongressional Delegation Visits TurkeyOn June 7th, the Turkish Coalition of Am...read more
  • The Mavi Marmara TragedyThe Mavi Marmara TragedyThe Turkish Coalition of America, which ...read more
  • Nagorno-Karabakh Elections Deemed IllegalNagorno-Karabakh Elections Deemed Illegalread more
  • Turkey – Russia Strengthen Bilateral TiesTurkey – Russia Strengthen Bilateral Tiesread more
  • Rep. Edwards Pays Tribute to Turkey's First Jazz DepartmentRep. Edwards Pays Tribute to Turkey's First Jazz Departmentread more
  • Turkey Convinces Iran on New Nuclear TalksTurkey Convinces Iran on New Nuclear TalksProspects for new rounds of talks on Ira...read more
  • Remembering Orhan Gunduz: A Victim of Armenian TerrorismRemembering Orhan Gunduz: A Victim of Armenian Terrorismread more
  • Armenian NGO's and Religious Leaders Seek Normalization with Turkey and AzerbaijanArmenian NGO's and Religious Leaders Seek Normalization with Turkey and Azread more
  • TCA Responds to President Obama's StatementTCA Responds to President Obama's Statementread more
  • April 23 Celebrated by Turkish Americans Across the USApril 23 Celebrated by Turkish Americans Across the USread more
  • Sino-Turkish Economic Cooperation has broad perspectiveSino-Turkish Economic Cooperation has broad perspectiveread more
  • Turkish Projects in Wardak, Afghanistan Worth $37 MillionTurkish Projects in Wardak, Afghanistan Worth $37 Millionread more
  • Members of Congress Participate in Opening of Turkey's First Jazz DepartmentMembers of Congress Participate in Opening of Turkey's First Jazz Departmeread more
  • TCA Concludes Congressional Visit to TurkeyTCA Concludes Congressional Visit to Turkeyread more
  • British House of Lords Refuses Vote on Armenian MeasureBritish House of Lords Refuses Vote on Armenian Measureread more
  • Human Rights Groups Raise Concerns about Refugees in GreeceHuman Rights Groups Raise Concerns about Refugees in Greeceread more
  • Turkish President Awarded by Chatham HouseTurkish President Awarded by Chatham HouseTurkish President Abdullah Gul has won t...read more
  • Re-Assessing the "Genocide Resolution"Re-Assessing the "Genocide Resolution"read more
  • IDF Chief of Staff Visits TurkeyIDF Chief of Staff Visits TurkeyIsrael Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Sta...read more
  • Top Commanders in Afghanistan: Turkish Presence is a ModelTop Commanders in Afghanistan: Turkish Presence is a Modelread more
  • State Department Praises Turkey's Regional RoleState Department Praises Turkey's Regional Roleread more
  • Turkish Red Crescent Aids Haiti VictimsTurkish Red Crescent Aids Haiti VictimsThe Turkish Red Crescent’s humanitaria...read more
  • Turkey Hosts Trilateral Summit with Afghanistan and PakistanTurkey Hosts Trilateral Summit with Afghanistan and Pakistanread more
  • Armenian Historical Church to be Opened for WorshipArmenian Historical Church to be Opened for Worshipread more
  • Obama Needs Turkey: An ExplanationObama Needs Turkey: An ExplanationOn December 1, 2009, at the United State...read more
  • Israel Thanks Turkey for Preventing AttackIsrael Thanks Turkey for Preventing AttackIsrael’s Deputy Foreign Minister Danie...read more
  • Obama's Ideal Partner: TurkeyObama's Ideal Partner: TurkeyPresident Obama laid out his new Afghani...read more
  • Triumph of the TurksTriumph of the TurksArchibald Wavell himself could scarcely ...read more
  • TCA calls on Congress to dismiss radical ANCA AgendaTCA calls on Congress to dismiss radical ANCA Agendaread more
  • Turkey to Lead ISAF for Third TimeTurkey to Lead ISAF for Third TimeOn November 1, Turkey has assumed the Re...read more
  • Turkey and Pakistan Sign Protocol to Bolster RelationsTurkey and Pakistan Sign Protocol to Bolster Relationsread more
  • TCA Calls Upon Congress to Support Turkey – Armenia DialogueTCA Calls Upon Congress to Support Turkey – Armenia Dialogueread more
  • 35th Anniversary Of Turkish Peace Operation On Cyprus35th Anniversary Of Turkish Peace Operation On Cyprusread more
  • Recommendations for the Armenian DiasporaRecommendations for the Armenian DiasporaThe following are excerpts from an artic...read more
  • Remembering Orhan Gunduz: A Victim of Armenian TerrorismRemembering Orhan Gunduz: A Victim of Armenian Terrorismread more
  • The Birth of the Turkish RepublicThe Birth of the Turkish RepublicThe foundation of the Republic of Turkey...read more
  • Turkish American Welcome President Obama's VisitTurkish American Welcome President Obama's Visitread more
  • Greek Independence Day: The Cost to Ottoman TurksGreek Independence Day: The Cost to Ottoman Turksread more
  • How to End a Genocide DebateHow to End a Genocide DebateIt's almost April, so Washington is gear...read more
  • Key Developments in US-Turkey RelationsKey Developments in US-Turkey Relationsread more
  • Armenian Issue: Moving ForwardArmenian Issue: Moving ForwardDuring the Senate confirmation hearings ...read more
  • TCA Exposes Senator Menendez for Catering to Ethnic LobbiesTCA Exposes Senator Menendez for Catering to Ethnic Lobbiesread more
  • Educators from American Minorities Visit TurkeyEducators from American Minorities Visit Turkeyread more
  • Turkey Hosts Summit with Afghanistan and PakistanTurkey Hosts Summit with Afghanistan and Pakistanread more
  • Germany's Green Party Elects First Turkish German as LeaderGermany's Green Party Elects First Turkish German as Leaderread more
  • Congressional Turkish Caucus Holds Up Strong in ElectionCongressional Turkish Caucus Holds Up Strong in Electionread more
  • Turkish American Legal Defense Fund Requests Criminal Investigation Against Armenian American Candidate Running Against Congresswoman Jean SchmidtTurkish American Legal Defense Fund Requests Criminal Investigation Against Arread more
  • Top U.S. Official Says Karakbakh Deal "Possible" by Year's EndTop U.S. Official Says Karakbakh Deal "Possible" by Year's Endread more
  • Turkey Elected to United Nations Security CouncilTurkey Elected to United Nations Security Councilread more
  • TCA and ATAA underscore importance of US-Turkey alliance in framework of confirmation hearings for new US Ambassador to TurkeyTCA and ATAA underscore importance of US-Turkey alliance in framework of cread more
  • Turkish President Says Opportunities Emerge to Solve Karabakh ConflictTurkish President Says Opportunities Emerge to Solve Karabakh Conflictread more
  • Turkish President to visit ArmeniaTurkish President to visit ArmeniaTurkey’s President Abdullah Gul has ac...read more
  • The Treaty of Lausanne: Turkey's International RecognitionThe Treaty of Lausanne: Turkey's International Recognitionread more
  • OSCE Supports Joint Historic Commission on Armenian AllegationsOSCE Supports Joint Historic Commission on Armenian Allegationsread more
  • Invigorating the US-Turkish Strategic PartnershipInvigorating the US-Turkish Strategic Partnershipread more
  • Russian Document refutes Armenian "genocide" claims Provides evidence of mass killings by ArmeniansRussian Document refutes Armenian "genocide" claims Provides evidence read more
  • Swedish Parliament Rejects Armenian Genocide LegislationSwedish Parliament Rejects Armenian Genocide Legislationread more
  • Turkey and Georgia renovate historic church in TurkeyTurkey and Georgia renovate historic church in Turkeyread more
  • Turkey offers Armenian Diaspora $20 million to open its ArchivesTurkey offers Armenian Diaspora $20 million to open its Archivesread more
  • Armenia Needs Real – Not Symbolic – HelpArmenia Needs Real – Not Symbolic – Helpread more
  • China's Battle Against the UighursChina's Battle Against the Uighurs”The way China is treating the Tibetan...read more
  • Reuniting CyprusReuniting CyprusCyprus is perched for a voluntary and mu...read more
  • United Nations Calls for Removal of Armenian Forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh Region of AzerbaijanUnited Nations Calls for Removal of Armenian Forces from the Nagorno-Karabread more
  • Michael Rubin: Turkey's Terror Problem is OursMichael Rubin: Turkey's Terror Problem is Oursread more
  • Unveiling the PKKUnveiling the PKKContrary to media reports, the Marxist-L...read more
  • Turkey Spearheads Major Regional Energy and Transportation Projects Turkey Spearheads Major Regional Energy and Transportation Projects read more
  • Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Celebrates 24th AnniversaryTurkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Celebrates 24th Anniversaryread more
  • President Bush and Turkish Prime Minister Discuss Global War on TerrorPresident Bush and Turkish Prime Minister Discuss Global War on Terrorread more
  • The Times: Stirring up the past, jeopardizing the futureThe Times: Stirring up the past, jeopardizing the futureread more
  • Historian Norman Stone in the Chicago TribuneHistorian Norman Stone in the Chicago Tribuneread more
  • Worse Than Irrelevant Worse Than Irrelevant IT'S EASY to dismiss a nonbinding congre...read more
  • The Future of the U.S. - Turkey RelationshipThe Future of the U.S. - Turkey Relationshipread more
  • ADL should not redefine genocideADL should not redefine genocideThe police and civilian mob came for the...read more
  • Turkey is vital to Europe's futureTurkey is vital to Europe's futureIn the 20th century, Britain's national ...read more
  • Turkey and Armenia: What Jews should doTurkey and Armenia: What Jews should doread more
  • Losing TurkeyLosing TurkeyThe following is a reprint of an article...read more
  • PKK Terrorists kill Villager for Denying FoodPKK Terrorists kill Villager for Denying Foodread more
  • The Treaty of Lausanne: Turkey's International RecognitionThe Treaty of Lausanne: Turkey's International Recognitionread more
  • July 20: Anniversary of Cyprus Peace OperationJuly 20: Anniversary of Cyprus Peace Operationread more
  • Why America Should Build Bridges to TurkeyWhy America Should Build Bridges to TurkeyThe Turks are getting cranky, and who ca...read more
  • Turkish company Invests Heavily in North Carolina and TennesseeTurkish company Invests Heavily in North Carolina and Tennesseeread more
  • American Teachers Visit TurkeyAmerican Teachers Visit Turkey49 teachers from 12 US cities are visiti...read more
  • The Real Billy Hayes Regrets Midnight Express, Apologizes to TurksThe Real Billy Hayes Regrets Midnight Express, Apologizes to Turksread more
  • Turkey's Contributions in Iraq and AfghanistanTurkey's Contributions in Iraq and Afghanistanread more
  • Review: The Armenian Massacres in Ottoman Turkey: A Disputed GenocideReview: The Armenian Massacres in Ottoman Turkey: A Disputed Genocideread more
  • Turkish Troops in Northern Iraq?Turkish Troops in Northern Iraq?The PKK has recently increased its attac...read more
  • The Lycian Confederation and the American ConstitutionThe Lycian Confederation and the American Constitutionread more
  • PKK Terrorism and Northern IraqPKK Terrorism and Northern IraqThe recent saber-rattling by Iraq’s Ku...read more
  • May 19: Turkish National Liberation beginsMay 19: Turkish National Liberation beginsread more
  • Remembering Orhan Gunduz: A Victim of Armenian TerrorismRemembering Orhan Gunduz: A Victim of Armenian Terrorismread more
  • Cyprus and the Annan PlanCyprus and the Annan PlanOn this date three years ago, the inhabi...read more
  • April 23: The Birth of the Turkish RepublicApril 23: The Birth of the Turkish Republicread more
  • Turkey, Iraq and PKK TerrorismTurkey, Iraq and PKK TerrorismThe recent saber-rattling by Iraq’s Ku...read more
  • Turkey and the United StatesTurkey and the United StatesTurkey is a vital partner for the United...read more
  • Enabling Kurdish IllusionEnabling Kurdish IllusionSpeaking before the Senate Appropriation...read more
  • Home
  • About US
  • Support TCA
  • Contact
  • Internships
    • TCA Washington Summer Internship Program
    • Previous Programs
  • Youth Congress
    • 2019 Youth Congress Application
    • 2018 Youth Congress
    • 2017 Youth Congress
    • 2016 Youth Congress
    • 2015 Youth Congress
    • 2014 Youth Congress
    • Turkish-Canadian Youth Congress
  • Turkish American Women’s Leadership Initiative
  • Grants
    • Turkey Study Tour Grants
    • Academic Grants
    • Public Awareness / Grassroots Grants
    • Heritage Grants
    • Humanitarian Grants
  • Issues & Information
    • U.S.-Turkey Relations
    • PKK Terrorism
    • Turkey and Europe
    • Armenian Issue
    • Cyprus Issue
    • Turkish History
    • Turkish Minorities Abroad
    • TCA Issue Papers
    • Reading Lists and General Resources on Turkey
  • Turkish American Community
    • Turkish American Appointed Officials
    • Turkish Americans Elected to Political Office
    • Elected Officials with Turkish Heritage
    • Turkish American Organizations
    • Turkish American Publications and Broadcasts
    • Turkish American Online Services
    • Prominent Turkish Americans
    • Turk Evleri
  • U.S. Congress
  • The Turkey Caucus
  • Outreach to Heritage Communities
    • African American Outreach
    • Native American Outreach
    • Hispanic American Outreach
  • Scholarships
    • Study Abroad Scholarships for American Students of Minority and Heritage Communities
    • Scholarships by Other Organizations
    • Previous TCA Programs
  • News & Events
    • News and Events
    • TCA Issue Papers
    • TCA Newsletters
  • Media
    • TCA in the News
    • Posters and Advertisements
    • Submit a Media Request
  • TAKE ACTION
  • LEGAL RIGHTS
  • CULTURE
Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Donate
  • Support the Turkish Coalition of America by Shopping at AmazonSmile
  • Turkish Coalition of America on YouTube
Turkish Coalition of America
Amerika Turk Koalisyonu
  • Boston
    P.O. Box 611
    Bedford, MA 01730
    Phone: 978.318.0047
    Fax: 978.318.0037
  •  
     
     
  •  
     
     
  • Copyright © 2023 Turkish Coalition of America. All rights reserved.
    Site Map