AJC Presents Award to Turkish Prime Minister

American Jewish Committee
Thursday, 17 January 2002

The American Jewish Committee today presented Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit with its Friendship and Freedom Award. The prime minister, on a four-day visit to the United States, then met with a group representing major American Jewish organizations.

AJC President Harold Tanner presented the award to Prime Minister Ecevit "in recognition of Turkey's partnership with America and Israel toward a more secure and democratic world."

Mr. Tanner said that the Prime Minister's prompt announcement of Turkey's unconditional support for the United States after September 11, was the first and clearest in the Muslim world. So were his offers to put Turkish combat troops on the ground in Afghanistan and to participate in a multinational peacekeeping force there.

"Turkey has been unique as an ally; you have consistently offered to put your troops next to U.S. forces in some tough spots: Korea, the Gulf War, Somalia, Bosnia, and Kosovo," said Mr. Tanner.

AJC President Harold Tanner, Executive Director David A. Harris and National Council Chair Dottie Bennett led the AJC delegation that presented the award to the prime minister. Ambassadors Richard Schifter and Peter Rosenblatt, two senior AJC lay leaders, also were part of the delegation.

Prime Minister Ecevit said he was grateful for the award and the help that the American Jewish community continually has offered to his country. He said he attached "great importance" to his country's friendship with the Jewish people for over half a millennium, since the Ottoman Empire welcomed Jews who had been expelled from the Iberian Peninsula. He also noted the large number of Israelis of Turkish decent who retained strong feelings and friendship for his country.

For more information, or to contact American Jewish Committee, see their website at: www.ajc.org