US RESOLUTION ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE WILL POISON TIES – TURKISH MINISTER

Anatolia News Agency, Turkey
Feb 7 2007

WASHINGTON D.C. (A.A) -07.02.2007 -"We asked the United States to
take a concrete and significant step in fight against PKK terrorist
organization," said Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul who held
a press conference after his talks in Washington D.C.

"Previously, PKK leaders were taking shelter in unfriendly regimes.

But now, PKK leaders are making interviews on television channels in
a friendly country. The United States – which earlier stated it could
not divide its forces in Iraq – as now changed this manner," noted Gul.

When asked whether Turkey will take a military measure if a step is
not taken in a short time, Gul said, "the United States did not make
any contrary suggestion."

"We always have rights based on international laws. If we believe a
result needs to be reached, we don’t hesitate to take action. We have
conveyed to US officials that they are late to take action in the
north of Iraq and Turkish people want to see an action. US officials
are aware of this," Gul said.

When asked whether the United States has an expectation about Turkey’s
developing a mechanism for return of people in Makmur camp (to Turkey),
Gul said, "citizens occasionally return to Turkey in groups. These
citizens are settled in villages, and process is continuing about the
issue. There are also women and children in Makmur camp. The important
thing is that we have to be sure the camp will not be controlled by
someone else when it is evacuated."

-KIRKUK-Noting that not only Turkey but also other regional countries
are sensitive about Kirkuk problem, Gul said that all countries
in the region are uneasy about escalation of this problem. "I met
Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit in Washington D.C. He is
also sensitive about this issue. It is necessary to make population
census and determine who can cast vote before the referendum is held
in Kirkuk."

Noting that the problems stem from uncertainties in the constitution,
Gul said that constitution follow-up committee should speed up its
studies.

Gul said that Turkey does not have territorial pretensions on Iraq,
and borders (between Turkey and Iraq) are set. He stressed that Kirkuk
belongs to whole Iraq.

Stressing the importance of protection of Iraq’s unity and integrity,
Gul said that US officials define fragmentation of Iraq as an
unacceptable alternative.

-RESOLUTION ON SO-CALLED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE-In regard to the resolution
on so-called Armenian genocide submitted to the US Congress, Gul said,
"it is a big threat which will poison all our relations." Gul quoted
those whom he met in the United States as saying that it was one of
weaknesses stemming from parliamentarian systems.

"It is a resolution against Turkey that would ruin everything. I talked
sincerely and I also said that its impacts would not be temporary,"
FM Gul underlined.

Some circles said Turkey assumed an attitude as if it admitted that
this resolution would be approved, Gul said.

"We think that it should be prevented. It is bad for both Turkey and
also the United States. No one has right to poison relations (between
Turkey and the United States) during such a period. I believe that
the (US) administration is sensitive on this matter and does what
is necessary. We should also inform parliamentarians, senators and
people on this matter."