U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry speaks with U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Francis J. Ricciardone, Jr. in Istanbul, April 7, 2013. Go to www.state.gov for details about the Secretary’s travel. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry reflects on the life of Anne Smedinghoff, a Foreign Service Officer who lost her life in Afghanistan on April 6, and says she was as “everything our country stands for,” during his remarks to U.S. Consulate General staff and families in Istanbul, Turkey, April 7, 2013. Go to www.state.gov for details about the Secretary’s travel. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]

Highlights from Secretary Kerry’s first international trip, including Ankara, Cairo, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, and Doha. [Go to http://video.state.gov for more video and text transcript.]

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry participates in a wreath-laying ceremony at Ataturk’s Tomb in Ankara, Turkey, on March 2, 2013. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]

About the Author: Kim Olson serves at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey.

Yesterday was a poignant time for all of us serving in Ankara. Upon arrival in Turkey, Secretary Kerry participated in a memorial service for Mustafa Akarsu, an embassy guard killed in a suicide bombing attack one month earlier. Together with Akarsu’s widow Yasemin and children Sami and Hilal, Kerry viewed a monument in Mustafa’s memory. The monument includes a fountain to signify the meaning of the family surname — which means “flowing water” — and a newly planted tree chosen by Mustafa’s children.

In his remarks to the assembled embassy community, Kerry praised the dedication of embassy staffers around the world. Of Akarsu’s sacrifice, he said:

“As you know, the day Mustafa… more »

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry delivers remarks with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu in Ankara, Turkey on March 1, 2013. A text transcript can be found at http://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2013/03/205536.htm

Photo Gallery | Trip Page

From February 24 to March 6, Secretary of State John Kerry is traveling to the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. Follow his trip on www.state.gov.

Press Statement
Victoria Nuland
Department Spokesperson
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
February 19, 2013

From February 24 to March 6, Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. MORE

On January 25, 2013, U.S. Ambassador to Syria Robert Ford, Assistant Secretary for Population, Refugees, and Migration Anne C. Richard, and USAID Assistant Administrator for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance Nancy Lindborg met with Turkish partners and assistance providers to discuss the needs of Syrian refugees and ongoing humanitarian assistance efforts.

U.S. Ambassador to Syria Robert Ford discusses his visit to Islahiye Refugee Camp and provides an update on the humanitarian situation in and around Syria during his travel to Ankara, Turkey, January 25, 2013. Read more about his trip here.