I would like to set the record straight about an outright falsity about Turkey by Natalie Goldring in the article headlined “Need weapons? Just ask Uncle Sam” (Op-Ed, April 22). Ms. Goldring’s statement that “Turkey’s military uses U.S. weapons to attack its own citizens” is preposterous. Turkey has never nor will it ever bombard its own citizens.
The Turkish government, within the rule of law, is combating the scourge of terrorism perpetrated by the vicious and ruthless Marxist-Leninist PKK (Kurdish Workers’ Party) terror organization. The fight has always been targeted against the PKK, whose campaign of terror indiscriminately kills innocent civilians and is the source of numerous human-rights violations, and not against our citizens of Kurdish origin.
Turkey is firmly dedicated to defending and strengthening its democracy, in addition to safeguarding the human rights of all its citizens. As a member of NATO, Turkey is not only pursuing its fight against terrorism to preserve its territorial integrity and protect the human rights of its citizens but also to ensure peace and stability of the entire region.
Turkey is a longtime friend and ally of the United States and helps all NATO members defend their interests in southeast Europe. Due to Turkey’s strategic importance, U.S. military aid to Turkey makes sense for Turkey and the United States.
