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| Europe |
| Turkey to continue to support the US on Iran |
| 2006-04-26 |
| Reportedly, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, arriving in Ankara today for official contacts, will ask Turkey to continue its support to the US on the issue of Iran. At the Foreign Press Center in Washington, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Bryza told reporters, "Iran will be on Rice's agenda, which is quite normal." He reminded that Turkey supports the international community's pressure on Iran. Turkey will be asked to "continue" this support; "All we ask is that Turkey stay with us," Bryza added. US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Bryza, who mentioned the issue of the terror network Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK), said, "Before a trans-border operation, there are many steps that need to be taken regarding the PKK problem and we are working on them." Bryza said America is not in negotiation with Turkey regarding the issue. "In fact, this is not a proper ground to discuss probable military operations." When asked whether the US gave Turkey information to be used in a probable operation, Bryza said they do not discuss intelligence issues publicly. Bryza appreciated Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul's statement that the US and Turkey were in cooperation against the PKK. "I think he is right," Bryza said, acknowledging a "very strong sharing of information" between the two countries and the workings in Europe especially for the fight against the PKK. The United States has not yet verified news that troops are being deployed in Southeastern Turkey, he said. In response to questions regarding Iraqi President Jalal Talabani's statements that he is concerned over the recent activity of the Turkish army, Bryza said, "These are his own views. Before a military operation, there are many things that can be done with Turkey and Iraq in order to fight against the PKK problem." Bryza, at the press conference, was asked, "Do you agree with the increasing concerns in Brussels about the Turkish army's role in politics and the judiciary?" To which he responded by saying that the army is "the most popular institution" in Turkey and it developed "a complex political role peculiar to itself." He reminded the European Union "obliged" some political reforms including the Turkish army's role in politics. "As Turkey wants to be a member of the EU, it must fulfill the relevant criteria including changing and diminishing the army's role as well," Bryza added. While Bryza said US State Secretary Rice would bring up Turkey's progress on EU reforms in general, he qualified the recent social security reform as a "worthy step for the future." Turkey's cultural and religious traditions of tolerance were inherited from the Ottoman State, reminded the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs; and it would not be surprising if Rice addressed topics such as "religious freedom," the patriarchate and the Heybeliada Seminary. Rice would also mention "the need to speed up democratic and economic reforms," he said. "Brussels and many other member countries think the reform process in Turkey has slowed down," Bryza recalled; therefore, the reform process should gain speed to dispel these thoughts. The Cyprus issue will also be mentioned, said Byrza, reminding Turkey is obliged to open ports to the Greeks. The solution package Gul proposed was "quite assertive," but it was refused. Instead of a fresh start to talks on a solution to the Cyprus issue, it would be much convenient to assume the Annan Plan, the American official said. |
| Posted by:Dan Darling |