RICE: INTERVENTION AGAINST PKK IS A MATTER OF TIMING
Anatolian Times, Turkey
Sept 22 2005
NEW YORK – “Intervention against PKK terrorist organization in Iraq is
a matter of timing, not principle,” U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza
Rice said at a meeting with Turkish FM & Deputy PM Abdullah Gul.
Iraq, PKK, and Cyprus were mainly discussed during Gul-Rice meeting
in NYC, Turkish diplomatic sources said.
Gul expressed Turkey`s views on Iraq, Afghanistan, Middle East,
Caucasus, Armenian-Azeri conflict, terrorism, Cyprus question,
Central Asia, Balkans and European Union (EU).
-MORE PREPARED-
It was reported that Secretary Rice said her country shared the views
of Turkey as regards to the presence of terrorist PKK organization
in northern Iraq, and stated that U.S. was determined to take action
against PKK which was considered as a terrorist organization.
Diplomatic sources said Rice stressed that taking action against the
PKK was not “a matter of principle but a matter of timing”.
“U.S. is more prepared to take concrete steps against PKK,” diplomatic
sources reaffirmed.
“Improvement of bilateral relations were also reviewed at the meeting,”
the sources said, and noted that, “both parties have assessed that
they are in a comprehensive partnership.”
Sources said some critical issues like Kirkuk, PKK, and Tal Afar
were also discussed, stating that “it was observed that views on the
mentioned issues were parallel”.
-U.S. THINKS OF TAKING NEW STEPS ON CYPRUS-
According to diplomatic sources, Gul informed Rice about the ongoing
EU membership process and she said that the Bush Administration would
maintain its support to Turkey in this respect.
What could be done further was also discussed while reviewing the
steps which U.S. tries to take to remove the blockade against TRNC,
sources said.
Sources said Rice expressed her satisfaction over the information
given by the Turkish officials and the policies pursued. “It has
been assessed that U.S. could better understand Turkey on many issues
today,” they noted.
-REACTION OF GUL TO EU DECLARATION-
Meanwhile, Gul as a reaction to the EU`s Cyprus declaration, did not
attend the reception hosted by foreign ministers of NATO and the EU.