ANKARA: Gul In Albania

GUL IN ALBANIA

Anatolian Times, Turkey
Feb 6 2007

TIRANA – "The representatives are doing their part, our expectations
from them are clear," Turkish Foreign Minister & Deputy Prime
Minister Abdullah Gul said and added fight against terrorism is not
the responsibility of only the special representatives.

FM Gul answered questions regarding the recent visit of
Ret. Gen. Joseph Ralston and the latest developments regarding Lebanon
on his way from Turkey to Albania on Thursday.

Turkey expects a lot from the USA in terms of fight against terrorism
and everyone in the USA from the highest level (President George Bush)
to the lowest level are aware of this, said FM Gul.

USA must also fight against PKK as it fights against other terrorist
organisations so Turkey`s expectation increases in this respect,
stated FM Gul.

Gul said the representatives are doing their part and it is wrong
to impute fight against terrorism only on the representatives so
this issue (fight against terrorism) is number one priority of prime
minister, ministers and commanders.

Gul said his visit to the USA will be a significant one, covering
issues such as developments in Iraq, and Turkey`s point of view about
the legislative proposal on so-called Armenian genocide, presented
to the House of Representatives.

-LEBANON-

On a question on the agreement between Greek Cypriot administration
and Lebanon, Gul said this situation is caused by the vacuum and
chaos in Lebanon.

Gul stated that he does not think even the Lebanese prime minister
is aware of this situation. He continued saying the necessary steps
are taken by Turkey, and Lebanon has commitments regarding this issue.

Turkish FM said they are not considering to pull Turkish soldiers
out from Lebanon as a reaction to this recent development.

-FM`S CONTACTS IN ALBANIA-

Gul began his talks in the framework of his official visit to
Albania. He met Besnik Mustafaj, Albanian Minister of Foreign Affairs,
on the first day of his visit.

Turkish FM will attend Turkey-Albania Business Council meeting tomorrow
and will meet Albanian prime minister, president of the Assembly and
and the president respectively tomorrow.

Gul is expected to leave for Turkey tomorrow afternoon.