Comments by Michael Tuchin at the U.S.-Azerbaijan-Turkey Cooperation Seminar

Comments by Michael Tuchin at the U.S.-Azerbaijan-Turkey Cooperation Seminar at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on December 13, 2007

I am deeply honored to participate in the panel this morning with representatives of two countries who are good friends of America, the Jewish people, and the state of Israel.

In a day and age where radicals are preaching that Islam and democracy are wholly incompatible, that Islam and secular governance are wholly incompatible, that Islam and Israel are wholly incompatible, and that Islam and America are wholly incompatible, what better rebuttal is there than two moderate, thriving Muslim, democratic nations with strong bonds to the United States and Israel. If there is hope for countering the spread of extremism it is by showing the world what these two Muslim countries have accomplished and will continue to accomplish because of, and not in spite of, their market economies, their ties to Western nations, and their tolerance.

While I want to talk about the importance of current relationships with Azerbaijan and Turkey in today's world, it is important not to overlook the significant historical relationships.

TURKEY AND ITS JEWISH COMMUNITY

Throughout its history, Turkey has provided a welcoming home for Jews.

As the Jews of Spain and Portugal fled the Inquisition, Turkey opened wide its doors; the sultan issuing a formal invitation to Jews to come to his country. The sultan is said to have exclaimed: "Ye call Ferdinand a wise king he who makes his land poor and ours rich!" The tolerance the Jews enjoyed in the Ottoman Empire was unprecedented. Thessaloniki became known as the "Mother of Israel" due to its overwhelming Jewish Majority. Unlike most other countries at the time, there were no restrictions in the professions Jews could practice, and Jews rose to positions of great importance. By 1887, there were five Jewish members of the Ottoman parliament.

And when countries across Europe expelled their Jews during the Nazi era, Turkey once again opened its arms and welcomed them into its country.

Today's Turkish Republic remains home for more than 25,000 Jews, who are active members of Turkish society.

TURKEY AND ISRAEL

On March 28, 1949, Turkey became the first Muslim Country to formally recognize the State of Israel and, until the Camp David Summit in 1978, it stood alone in this regard.

Since 1949, relations between the countries have grown dramatically, including.

* Reciprocal visits by Presidents, Defense Ministers, Prime Ministers, and Foreign Ministers.
* Israeli, Turkish joint military operations, including joint search and rescue exercises with the U.S. Navy.
* Military Training and Cooperation Agreements.
* Israeli-Turkish Trade Volume in the billions of dollars
* Cultural and intellectual exchanges and cooperation in the fields of art, culture, education, science and sports.
* A free trade agreement
* An Israeli embassy in Ankara and a Turkish Embassy in Tel Aviv.
* Numerous bilateral treaties to tackle environmental issues, combat drug smuggling and abuse, and facilitate cooperation in the telecommunications, postal and health sectors.
* A twenty year agreement for Israel to buy 50 million cubic meters of water a year from Turkey.
* an $800 million contract for a Turkish company to build and manage three energy plants.
* And Numerous joint ventures involving Israeli and Turkish companies.
* Last month, Israel's National Infrastructures Minister appointed a team of experts to advance the negotiations with Turkey for an undersea infrastructure corridor to ship oil, natural gas, water and electricity from Turkey to Israel.

A few weeks ago, President Shimon Peres address the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, the first time an Israeli President has addressed a Muslim country's parliament. During his speech, President Peres noted the importance of Turkey to the interests of the United States and Israel.

TURKEY AND THE UNITED STATES

Turkish-American relations are also strong. During the Cold War, Turkey was an important and reliable ally. Since then, Turkey and the United States have been closely cooperating in the major challenges against world peace and security, including in connection with the Gulf War, Somalia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, and the war against international terrorism.

Following the Defence and Economic Cooperation Agreement in 1980, Turkey and the United States began high-level cooperation in defense industry projects, such as production of the F-16, electronic war equipment, and armored fighter equipment.

In 1997, Turkey and the United States formulated their mutual cooperation under a "five part agenda," which included energy, economy and trade, regional cooperation, Cyprus, and defense and security cooperation.

And the importance of close consultation on all issues of common concern was reiterated in the Shared Vision and Structure Dialogue Document, jointly adopted on July 5, 2006. This document specifies the areas of cooperation on issues of common interest on Iraq, the Middle East, the Israeli-Arab conflict, Iran's nuclear program, the Balkans, Central Asia, Afghanistan, as well as cooperation in energy security, the fight against terrorism and the spread of Weapons of Mass Destruction.

Our countries have also been working to further develop economic and trade relations. As of 2006, the bilateral trade volume between the two countries was approximately 11 billion dollars.

And Turkey currently serves as one of the main arteries for funneling humanitarian aid to Iraq and for rotating US troops into and out of Iraq.

AZERBAIJAN AND ITS JEWISH COMMUNITY

The Azeris also have a long history of respect and tolerance towards the Jewish community.

Where the Mountain Jews, or Tats as they are know in Azerbaijan, came from is heavily debated. Some insist that they are descendants of Israel's Lost Tribes who began their wandering after the destruction of the Jerusalem's first temple. Others claim that they are what remains of the mighty Khazar nation, an indigenous Caucasian people who converted to Judaism in the 8th century. What is known is that the Tats have called Azerbaijan home for centuries and to this day faithfully attend Shabbat services, scrub their homes on Fridays, and bake their own Matzah on Passover.

The history of the Ashkenazi Jews is far less mysterious. They primarily arrived in the 19th century, although many others came to Azerbaijan during World War II to escape the Nazis.

Azeri Jews enjoy warm relations with both local and national governments and other ethnic and religious communities. The Azeri constitution grants religious freedom and an Azeri Jew currently serves in the Parliament.

AZERBAIJAN AND ISRAEL

Since it declared its independence in 1991, Azerbaijan has developed a close and rich friendship with Israel. There is high-level cooperation in intelligence, security, and military issues and extensive trade between the two countries. By 2005, Israel was Azerbaijan's 5th largest trading partner.

Israel's Backcell is the second-largest cell-phone operator in Azerbaijan, and the recent BTC pipeline allows Azerbaijani oil to reach Israel.

Cultural and educational exchanges have also expanded, with Azerbaijan even hosting an Israeli culture festival.

Israel has an Embassy in Baku and Israel's Ambassador is a common guest on Azeri TV and radio programs.

The Azeris have paid for their strong relationship with Israel, as Iran has openly confronted, threatened, and cajoled the Azeri government to break its ties with Israel. In August 2004, a group of high-level Iranian military and intelligence officers visited Azerbaijan to urge the government to cease security, military, and intelligence cooperation with Israel, in exchange for which the Iranians would favorably resolve an ongoing dispute over Caspian exploration rights.

AZERBAIJAN AND THE UNITED STATES

U.S.-Azeri relations were initially focused on the promotion of the BTC pipeline, a major artery linking oil fields in the Caspian Sea region to the Mediterranean Sea and Western markets beyond.

Since September 11th, however, a new sphere of security cooperation has emerged between the two countries. Azerbaijan has provided an air corridor for American military efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq and has fought with the United States in Afghanistan and joined the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq. Two members of the Azerbaijani military recently received American commendations for their tremendous courage in battle.

The U.S. supports American investment in Azerbaijan and U.S. companies are involved in three offshore oil development projects with Azerbaijan and have been exploring the emerging investment opportunities in Azerbaijan in other fields, such as telecommunication.

The U.S. and Azerbaijan have signed a bilateral trade agreement, which became effective in April 1995 and confers on Azerbaijan the status of most favored nation and have also signed a bilateral investment treaty.

SO WHY ARE TURKEY AND AZERBAIJAN SO IMPORTANT?

But there are many other countries with strong military, economic, and cultural ties to the United States and Israel. What makes Turkey and Azerbaijan so critical to U.S. interests are their locations in the world, the role they play in combating terrorism, and the message they send to the rest of the Muslim world about the importance and benefits of co-existence.

Turkey and Azerbaijan are located at the crossroads of Asia and Europe. Each of them borders Iran. The geopolitical importance of these two countries is enormous. The significance of the pipelines that have been built and will be built cannot be overstated. Nor can the importance of having their cooperation given the military presence the United States has in Iraq and Afghanistan.

These two countries are at the forefront on the war on terror and their intelligence cooperation is crucial as are their efforts to combat terrorism in their own countries. Long before we had heard of al-Qaeda, members of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) were terrorizing Turkey. Between 1996 and 1999, the PKK is reported to have carried out sixteen suicide bomb attacks killing twenty people and wounding scores. Very recently, the Azeris foiled a terrorist plot, arresting numerous radicals including from Al Queda.

As Americans and as supporters of Israel, we must do our part to strengthen the relationship with Turkey and Azerbaijan. These countries are in a dangerous part of the world and face constant threats and pressure, including from many of the same radicals that target us. For clear reasons, the radicals do not want the Azeris and the Turks to succeed. If we allow wedges to develop among our nations, we play into the hands of the radicals, who seek to establish that democracy, cooperation with Western nations, and moderation do not work. The stronger the ties among our nations, the more we empower the moderates in the Middle East by showing the enormous benefits of cooperation, moderation, and democracy. Just think of what these two countries have to teach the people of the region and the world.

Thank you.