November 6, 2008, Washington, DC - The Turkish Coalition of America would like to extend its congratulations to the President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joseph Biden on their resounding victory. The TCA and the Turkish American community across the nation look forward to working with the new President and his Administration in the issues facing our country, Turkey and the world.
President-elect Barack Obama eloquently summarized his vision for America ’s new foreign policy in his acceptance speech: The United States of America will defeat those who want to tear down the world and stand by those who work for peace and security.
In both, Mr.Obama’s Administration will find a tested friend and ally in Turkey . Turkey has stood by America ’s side in fighting Al-Qaida and advancing the international community’s standing by doing so as a Muslim-majority democratic, secular nation. Even at great peril to the safety and security of its own people, as tragically proven by numerous Al-Qaida attacks on Turkish soil, Turkey ’s steadfast support against terrorism was augmented by humanitarian aid, economic cooperation and assistance to countries such as Afghanistan , Iraq , Pakistan , Indonesia and the African continent to fight the root causes of terrorism, such as poverty and the lack of education.
Turkey has proven to be an asset to the United States and Europe as a regional power, using its historical ties and good neighborly relations to help solve long festering problems in its region and prevent new crises. In this sense, Turkey’s long-standing relations and dialogue with Syria, Israel, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan, we hope will help lay the foundation of new diplomatic initiatives by President Obama.
This election, seen as a victory of democracy by Americans and others, holds, in our view, a number of democracy lessons for the world. It demonstrated the worth of a political process that allows individuals to rise from the grassroots and move up in political rank based on vision, hard work and support by voters – not by party bosses. It showed that even in loss, a true statesman shows grace, dignity and patriotism by appealing to unite for the candidate who prevailed based on the people’s vote. It demonstrated that a true statesman will pass the baton and concede that the loss was his failing, not democracy’s. This election proved that no matter how contentious a political race may be, a true democratic nation unites behind its elected leader.
As Turkish Americans, we look forward to a new era between the United States and Turkey . We pledge our full support to advance this relationship to benefit the two nations and, indeed, peace and security in the world.
