Anatolia News Agency, Turkey
Jan 26 2007
Turkish, US defence ministers discuss regional issues
Washington, DC, 26 January: Turkish National Defence Minister Vecdi
Gonul said on Friday [26 January] that "US Secretary of Defence
Robert Gates told me that he hoped there would not be a mistake like
recognition of so-called Armenian genocide and that the
administration was doing its best for this."
Speaking at a news conference after having lunch with Gates, Gonul
said, "Gates is cognizant of the Armenian issue and understood that
it would cause problems in relations with Turkey. However, we have
concerns that in case a decision is made in the US Congress, this
will lead to a indignation in Turkey.
We have explained the stance of the public. We have seen that they
are also aware of this. They do their best to prevent such an
indignation."
Gonul emphasized that the US governments earlier prevented Armenian
drafts in the past, "as it was stated by our government many times,
there were conditions caused by war, and those should be examined by
the historians."
Gonul said, "I have expressed Turkey’s sensitivity on PKK and Kirkuk.
We have discussed all dimensions. We will see the developments."
"We have particularly exchanged views on bilateral relations, NATO
and new command of NATO. We also discussed Iraq, PKK, so-called
Armenian genocide and other regional security matters," Gonuld
stated.
Gonul said they signed a memorandum of understanding and other
related documents for Turkey’s participation in manufacturing of F-35
war planes.
"Following the completion of the signatures, the agreement texts will
be submitted to the Turkish Parliament to be approved. Turkey is
planning to purchase 100 F-35 war planes in the next two decades.
However, number of planes can be updated every year by taking into
consideration the changing needs," he said.
Gonul said the planes would start to enter the inventory of the
Turkish Air Forces starting as of 2014, indicating that Turkey’s
contribution share was 175 million USD.
Gonul said they expected each of the planes to cost 70m USD, noting
that the project would cost 10.5bn US dollars to Turkey together with
the infrastructure needs.
Moreover, Gonul stressed that, being one of the nine countries
participating in the manufacturing phase of the project would bring
remarkable advantages and privileges to Turkey.
"Turkey will have a voice in the decisions to be taken, as a member
of a partnership consisting of developed countries which stand as
candidates to direct the military strategies and defence industry of
the world for the upcoming 50 years," Gonul said.
Turkey would have partial accession to the information produced in
the context of the project and have representatives at some positions
at the Joint Strike Fighter Plane Project Office, Gonul added.
Gonul also stressed that activities continued to enable the domestic
industry to seize utmost business opportunities regarding the
project.
Gonul stressed that the letter of intent concerning Turkish
industry’s participation in the project, as well as the industry
participation plan which defines the business opportunities specified
for companies, would be signed between Undersecretariat for Defence
Industries and the main contractor Lockheed Martin, in a ceremony to
be held on February 6th in Ankara.
Minister Gonul is expected to leave USA and return to Turkey today.