Bush Addresses Turkish Americans

ATAA ^

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September 12, 2001
The Honorable George W. Bush
President of the United States of America
Dear Mr. President:

On behalf of Turkish Americans nationwide, I want to express our outrage against the dastardly terrorist attacks and our sorrow for our fellow Americans who were victims of this vicious and senseless act of war against the United States. We also want to thank you for your strong leadership as you take our nation through one of its most difficult times in its recent history.

The Turkish people have suffered greatly from terrorism, and therefore understand painfully well what our nation is going through. Just as the United States stood by Turkey in its fight against the scourge of international terrorism and just as the Turkish nation has steadfastly supported America in every major modern conflict, we know with certainty that Turkey will again do anything it can to help punish the perpetrators of this evil act.

As Turkish Americans, we strongly believe that the fight against terrorism worldwide must recognize that terrorism has no religion, no race and no nationality. A terrorist attack, no matter in what part of the world and against whom it occurs, must be regarded as an assault against the whole of humanity, and must therefore draw the same response from those who are determined to defend freedom and democracy.

We heed your call to never forget this day, yet go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world, and pray for all whose lives have been shattered in this tragedy.

Respectfully yours,
Dr. Orhan Kaymakcalan
President
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November 19,2001
Dr. Orhan Kaymakcalan
President, Assembly of Turkish American Associations
1526 18th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036-1306
Dear Dr. Kaymakcalan:

Thank you for writing about the acts of war committed against the United States on September 11. In the face of this evil, our country remains strong and united, a beacon of freedom and opportunity to the rest of the world.

Our government continues to serve the American people. Our intelligence, military and law enforcement communities are working non-stop to find those responsible for these attacks. We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who help or harbor them.

We must remember that our Arab and Muslim American citizens love our Nation and must be treated with dignity and respect. Americans of every creed, ethnicity, and national origin must unite against our common enemies.

Since these terrible tragedies occurred, our citizens have been generous, kind resourceful, and brave. I encourage all Americans to find a way to help. Web sites like LibertyUnites.org can serve as a resource for those wanting to participate in the relief efforts.

I deeply appreciate the support and prayers of so many Americans. May God bless you and may God bless America.

Sincerely,
George W. Bush

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Ping

[ChemistCat]

The Turks are great people. I hope they come out of this war with a strengthened economy and having gotten back a little bit of their lost territory. Iraq would do. I can't think of any way that the Turks could fail to improve the lot of the Iraqis.

[McGavin999]

What a great letter. Thanks to all the Turkish Americans who have stood up and voiced their outrage.

[Dixie republican]

The Turks are probably one our our most powerful allies, undoubtedly the most powerful frontline ally. Do not be surprised to see them invade Iraq and Syria within the next 2-5 years.

[a_Turk]

Her neighbors have labored for years to make life hard for the Turks, but the latter have never given up but have fought the curse of terror toward the realization of a dream of liberty and justice. Her neighbors have tried to portray a skewed picture of her for you with their lies and deceit!

We and our military are one and shall never give in to the cowards who foment nor carry out terror. These cowards have whiney voices! We shall find them and smite them! We shall squash them like bugs! Together!

US Ambassador's Response to Condolences
Since the tragic events of September 11, the close friendship between Turkey and the United States has been reaffirmed in many ways. The leaders of the Turkish Government at the highest level were quick to offer their condolences and their support to our leaders in the fight against terrorism. Moreover, Turkish people from all walks of life have gone out of their way to offer words of comfort to Americans living amongst them. There have been countless telephone calls, letters and e-mail messages. From the day of the attack, there have been bouquets and wreaths of flowers left at the Embassy gate. Turks have felt the pain of terrorism and of natural disasters. Turks have fought alongside Americans on many battlefields. On behalf of my government, of the American people, and particularly for us Americans living in Turkey, I want to express our gratitude for the kindness of our Turkish friends.

Ambassador W. Robert Pearson
U.S. Embassy, Ankara, Turkey

Two U.S. Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit train in Turkey in this October 11, 2000 photo.


A German Air Force C-160 Transall military cargo plane, the first German aircraft to support operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, lands at Sabiha Gokcen airport near Istanbul on Monday, Nov. 26, 2001 after taking off from the Ramstein, Germany, U.S. airbase. The Transall later will head for the Incirlik airbase in southern Turkey with a load of humanitarian aid, including a generator and blankets.