US must take steps in Iraq, Cyprus to improve ties with Turkey – party official

Anatolia news agency, Ankara
24 Mar 05

Washington DC, 24 March: Murat Mercan, the deputy chairman of the
ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), said on Thursday [24 March]
that Turkey-the United States relations were not as bad as perceived
by public opinion, adding that both parties had the necessary will
to improve the bilateral relations. Holding a news conference after
attending a panel discussion at the American Enterprise Institute
(AEI), Mercan said that he had held a series of talks with US State
Department and National Security Council officials. “Turkey-the United
States relations are not as bad as perceived by public opinion or
as reflected in the media. Both parties have the necessary will to
improve their bilateral relations. I believe that if we can correct
some misunderstandings, our relations will be better,” he said.

Mercan told reporters that he did not get the impression that the
United States would recognize the so-called Armenian genocide this
year. “Any deterioration in our relations will be beneficial neither
for Turkey nor for the United States. Those who take advantage from
it are persons or countries having negative feelings against Turkey.
Anti-Americanism in Turkey is not a rooted tendency, on the contrary,
it is cyclical,” he said. Noting that exaggerated reports both in
Turkish and American press had a great part in such misunderstandings,
Mercan went on saying: “The United States could improve its image
in Turkey by taking more strict measures against the terrorist
organization of PKK [Kurdistan Workers’ Party], opening a second border
gate in Iraq and taking steps to put an end to international isolation
of Turkish Cypriots. Another area of cooperation between Turkey and
the United States will be the Caucasus. I believe that Turkey can
play a momentous role in efforts to provide democracy in the region.”

Upon a question about Turkish Parliamentary Human Rights Inquiry
Commission Chairman Mehmet Elkatmis’ describing the operation of the
US forces in Fallujah city of Iraq as a “genocide”, Mercan said: “It
was an unfortunate statement. Elkatmis tried to correct his mistake.
We all should be careful while using certain words.” Mercan said
that Turkish Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc was planning to pay a
visit to the United States in May. Upon a question, Mercan said that
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan could come to California
in May to attend the graduation ceremony of his daughter. Mercan said
that Turkey was “extremely uneasy” about anti-Semitic statements.
Replying to another question, Mercan said that if the United Nations
Security Council decided to impose sanctions on Iran because of its
possible nuclear activities, Turkey would abide by the decision.

Denying news reports claiming that the United States was planning
to keep its mission in Turkey at the level of the third man for a
long time after resignation of US Ambassador to Turkey Eric Edelman
in June, Mercan said: “These are baseless claims. During my talks
with US National Security Council officials, they told me that the
second man would be sent immediately, and the new ambassador would
be appointed soon.”