The US is surely one of the greatest democracies in the world. This was also proven by your election, that is, the election to the presidency of an Afro-American with a Muslim father born in Kenya. The unsurpassed economic and military might of America has, however, been used by its government both for and against the good and benefit of the country itself and the world community. That its might can be used to its own and the world's detriment was best demonstrated by the George W. Bush administration. That administration is not only responsible for the terrible mess the US and world economy finds itself in, but also for great human suffering experienced especially in my part of the world. We are extremely happy that his presidency is finally over. Your assuming the presidency, on the other hand, raises hope among us that the US will correct itself and use American power for the global good. May God help you live up to those expectations.
In our globalized world, global problems can only be dealt with through global efforts. For the solution of problems that concern the whole world, it is imperative that the credibility and authority of the United Nations is upheld, full respect for international law and agreements are secured, the UN charter is renewed in accordance with the requirements of the 21st century, and joint measures are taken against climate change, which is threatening life on earth. We hope that in your presidency the US will take the lead to work together with allies and the world community at large to tackle these most important issues.
We hope that in your presidency the US will avoid unilateralism and militarism in world affairs and instead pursue a multilateralist approach and give priority to diplomacy and international law in seeking solutions to problems that affect us all. World experiences accumulated since the terrible tragedy of Sept. 11 have shown that the fight against terrorism cannot succeed simply by killing terrorists without addressing the injustices, oppression and exploitation that give rise to terrorism. Those experiences also make it clear that democracy cannot be exported by military force, but that democratization can be encouraged from the outside. You have to address the Palestinian problem if peace and stability in the Middle East and the world at large are ever to be secured. Israel cannot find peace and security without the Palestinians becoming free from occupation and oppression. The Bush administration devastated Iraq and turned it into a hub of terrorism. It is your administration's responsibility to bring peace and stability to that country.
The Bush administration's policies have greatly damaged the image of the US in Turkey. It is said that "anti-Americanism" is not as strong anywhere as it is in Turkey. Rest assured that it is not anti-Americanism but anti-Bushism that is rampant in Turkey. The Bush administration's refusal to do anything (at least until November 2007) to help stop the attacks against Turkey by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) based in northern Iraq, the tragic sufferings of innocent Muslims as a consequence of the American invasion of our neighbor Iraq, unrestricted support for Israel and unfair treatment of the Palestinians by the US and the agitation by neocon circles against the democratically elected government of Turkey are the main reasons why the US has become so broadly unpopular.
We hope that you will restore the popularity of the US among the Turkish public at least to its level during the Clinton presidency, when the vast majority felt the US to be a true ally of Turkey and a force for good in the world. This requires before anything else that your administration gives full support to the consolidation of democracy in Turkey and its accession to the EU. Turkey deserves to be the first country you intend to visit and speak to in the Muslim world.
The "Armenian Genocide Resolution" is expected to be reintroduced in Congress soon, and it is thought that you, unlike former presidents, will support its adoption. I want to remind you first that it is not up to parliaments to legislate on history. Secondly, Turkish society is currently engaged in a process of facing its history during World War I which it has been kept largely ignorant about. The adoption of that resolution will not only mean the US administration passing judgment on a highly controversial issue, but more importantly is likely to subvert that process and contribute to a fanning of animosities that must be avoided. If your administration is interested in Turkish-Armenian reconciliation, it should facilitate the rapprochement between the governments of Turkey and Armenia, which has recently gained momentum.
