Michelle Consunji

Committee: Disarmament and International Security Committee

Topic: Missile Defense Systems
Country: Turkey
Turkey, formerly known as the Republic of Turkey, is located in a small part in Europe
and a larger part in Asia. Turkey is considered to be in an awkward spot because its in two
different continents at the same time. Officially in 2012, Turkeys government agreed to a nonproliferation system against nuclear weaponry. Turkeys capital, Ankara, is currently working on
developing new technology against ballistic missile attacks, and to strengthen global nonproliferation with nuclear weapons.
In 2013, Turkey and Japan arranged proposals to put 4 new nuclear power reactors at
Sinop on the Black Sea. Although this is Turkeys second nuclear power project, Turkey has no
interest in making or using any nuclear weapons. Their decision against the use of nuclear
weapons started around the time of the Gulf war in 1990, when Ankaras military waited for the
anti-ballistic missiles to come in from the US, which NATO was supposed to provide them with
ahead of time. Unfortunately, the delivery was slow and didnt end up getting to them on time
which left the people of Ankara defenseless against Iraqs missiles. Their people were forced to
use plastic sheets and duct tape to protect them from any chemical harm. Overall, Turkeys
mainly against the use of nuclear weaponry but they are in possession of ABMs to use as
protection which was provided by the US and NATO.
Recently in April of this year, there have been large amounts of pressure coming from
NATO against Turkey because they wanted Turkey to take some of Chinas ballistic missiles and
copy them to recreate them as their own. A diplomat from Turkey stated, Turkey already has
been expanding its defense and military cooperation with China, so the addition of additional
personnel or training in Beijing might come under the radar, or at least be deniable. Turkey is
still unsure about this project but from another thing that the diplomat said was, Beijing could
secretly help Turkey not only in missile interception, but in ballistic missile development.
meaning that Turkey doesnt only want to go along with NATOs plans, but to also try to
incorporate the development of ballistic missiles for the use of protection only, not for
destruction.
Turkey has also made a deal with China to purchase long range missiles for the use of
protection to replace nuclear weapons. Turkey is also looking to buy surface-to-air missiles that
can be used as anti-missiles defense and is willing to give up to $4 billion on this project.
Turkey has been a member of the United Nations since 1945 and continues to engage in
UN conflicts and resolutions. Turkish Ambassador, Yasar Halit evik stated,
As a founding member of the United Nations, Turkey assumes important roles with respect to
the issues of global interest such as global peace and security, fight against terrorism, human
rights, sustainable development, poverty alleviation, intercultural and interfaith dialogue and
mediation.
Turkeys cooperation with the UN involves them engaging in the work of the General Assembly,
and their membership in the UN Security Council.
Overall, in order to grow as a country, Turkey needs to suggest resolutions on ABMs and what
they are going to do when they are under attack. Since Turkey has already been dedicating its time and
effort into turning our world into a nuclear weapon free zone, I think that we should follow that. We
should replace our nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction with long-range missiles to
use them for protection. Nuclear weapons are more offensive than defensive, so we should get rid of them

as a whole and turn to missiles instead. Turkey should support ABMs as well, because possessing them
would make them less paranoid about what would happen if they got attacked.