TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS RECENT VISIT TO USA DIPLOMATIC SUCCESS

Yeni Safak website, Istanbul
12 Feb 07

[Report from Istanbul by Mustafa Karaalioglu: "Early Warning to
United States"]

Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul has assessed his latest US visit for
Yeni Safak.

Gul, stating that the discussions he held with the US administration
went very well, said that a good many topics were laid out on
the table. Gul spoke as follows: "Both with [Vice President Dick]
Cheney and with [Secretary of State Condoleezza] Rice, I did not just
explain the Turkish-US relationship in general terms. I sketched out
a perspective that took in Afghanistan, Iraq, the Balkans, Kosovo,
energy, and oil. I laid out for them the depth of the relationship
between the two countries."

I Explained Things to Cheney Like a Teacher

Gul related that, during his meeting with US Vice President Cheney,
Cheney had said "just a minute" and asked one of his aides for a map,
and had then said to Gul "could you explain all of these issues on
the map?" He said: "Indeed, I explained the topics in detail, like
a teacher."

I Cannot Explain This to my People

Foreign Minister Gul addressed the US Congressional Foreign Relations
Committee. This was a "first"… Gul said: "I pointed out to them
briefly that the so-called Armenian Genocide is not a national issue
of the United States. I said that ‘if, while your sons are dying
in another geographical region, you adopt a resolution against us,
I cannot explain this to my people, and I cannot restrain my people.’"

Not at Point of No Return

It has been accepted that, particularly under the influence of
the negative atmosphere that came about following the killing of
[Turkish-Armenian journalist] Hrant Dink, the US Congress would adopt
the resolution accepting the Genocide. But Gul does not share this
opinion: "Things are not at the point of no return. I provided my
counterparts an early warning. I hope that we will get results." With
regard to reports that the messages he had conveyed had been "harsh",
Gul responded: "No, I spoke in an extremely rational manner. I did
not engage in blackmail."

Definitely Speak With General Buyukanit as Well

Gul, in describing the atmosphere of his meetings, provided two
examples:

"Our meetings with Cheney and Rice brought smiles to the faces of
our diplomatic delegation. It was a diplomatic success. Moreover, in
the meeting with Cheney, the US visit of General [Staff Chief Yasar]
Buyukanit came up, and I told him "you definitely have to meet with
our General Staff Chief."

Two Members Withdrew Their Signatures

It is stated that, after the address that Gul made to the Committee,
two members who had supported the resolution withdrew their signatures,
and it is noted that US President [George W.] Bush has written a letter
to the Congress, and that Rice has also engaged in direct initiatives
on the issue. It is stated that, most recently, the Pentagon as well
has become engaged, and it is being pointed out that the military
have realized the problems that the resolution would cause.