AJC Mourns Former Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem
January 26, 2007 - New York - The American Jewish Committee is saddened by the death of Isamail Cem, who served as Turkey?s foreign minister from 1997-2003.
"Ismail Cem contributed to a more stable and safer world in a difficult international neighborhood," said Barry Jacobs, AJC?s director for strategic studies. "He had the rare ability to understand the importance of building a better future rather than dwelling on an unpleasant past."
Cem was an effective advocate for peace and good relations between Turkey and its neighbors and for broad and productive links with Israel. While foreign minister he visited Israel several times, and the Israeli, American and Turkish navies began a series of maneuvers to improve search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean.
His personal efforts to bridge past disagreements with Greece by means of the productive fellowship he developed with his counterpart in Athens, George Papandreou, remain a model of effective diplomacy and statesmanship.
AJC extends condolences to his wife, Elçin Cem, and family.
Ari M. Gordon Assistant Director Department of Interreligious Affairs American Jewish Committee 165 E56th St. New York, NY 10022 (212) 891-6768 (212) 751-4000 x266 www.ajc.org www.engagingamerica.org