Anadolu Agency
Feb 8 2005
Strong Future Of Turkish – U.S. Relations Confirmed By Gul & Rice
Anadolu Agency: 2/7/2005
ANKARA – Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and U.S. Secretary of
State Condoleezza Rice confirmed strong past and future of
Turkish-U.S. relations, sources said on Sunday.
Sources said that Gul and Rice stated that Turkish-U.S. relations
were not based on solely one matter, and stressed that matters on
which two countries had differences of opinion could not have a
central role in relations.
Underlining strategic partnership between two countries, Gul and Rice
also debated Iraq and Cyprus in their meeting.
In the meeting, Gul underlined importance of a continuous dialogue
between Turkey and the United States, and said that problems between
two countries could be solved by a common vision.
On the other hand, Rice also stressed importance of bilateral
relations, and expressed belief that these relations should be
further improved.
Also confirming that problems could be solved by mutual talks, Rice
said that what was important was the strategic goals of the two
countries.
-IRAQ-CYPRUS-
Ankara expressed its concerns over Iraq and Kirkuk during talks with
Rice, and stressed that Kirkuk’s special status should be preserved.
Expressing Turkey’s views that peace should be assured in Iraq and
Iraq’s territorial integrity should be preserved, Gul said that
Turkish lorry drivers continued to support the international forces
in the region, sacrificing their lives.
Diplomatic sources said that Washington once more understood Turkey’s
views. Touching on Cyprus problem, Gul reiterated that Turkey wanted
a lasting solution in the island, and said that Turkey and the United
States should have close consultations.
Gul said that Turkey expected the United States to take steps to lift
embargoes on Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), and stated
that thus, the Greek Cypriot administration would have to take steps.
On the other hand, Rice said that they were working on what they
could do to contribute to solution of Cyprus problem, and stated that
they did not want to see the Turkish Cypriot side as the suffering
party although it voted ”yes” to the Annan plan in (last April’s
simultaneous) referenda in the island.
Meanwhile, two countries stated that they would do their best to
eliminate misunderstandings between them.
Gul recalled Turkey’s sensitivities about Kirkuk and the terrorist
organization PKK, and said that if the United States did not take any
steps to eradicate the terrorist organization PKK in the north of
Iraq, Turkish people, who had suffered much from terrorism, could
think that the United States was not keeping its promises. Sources
said that Rice’s visit might contribute to elimination of
misunderstandings in Turkey and the United States.
Touching on developments in the Middle East, Gul briefed Rice on his
visit to this region, and expressed Turkey’s wish to make active
contribution to the peace process.
Rice said that Turkey’s contribution was necessary, and underlined
Turkey’s role in the Broader Middle East Initiative. She added that
Turkey was a good model for the Islam world with its democracy.
Gul and Rice also discussed Armenian-Azerbaijani controversy,
Afghanistan, Iran and Incirlik base in southern city of Adana during
their meeting.