TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER DISCUSSES TIES WITH US IN LIGHT OF KURDISH ISSUE, IRAQ

Anatolia News Agency, Turkey
Sept 21 2007

["FOREIGN MINISTER BABACAN IN CHICAGO – ‘PKK PRESENCE IN NORTHERN
IRAQ IS A SOURCE OF UNEASINESS IN TURKISH-US RELATIONS, BABACAN’" –
AA headline]

CHICAGO (A.A) -21.09.2007 -"The presence of the terrorist organization
PKK in northern Iraq and its attacks against Turkey from there, is a
source of uneasiness in Turkish-US relations and we are expecting both
the United States and Iraqi governments to take urgent and firm steps
in bringing PKK terrorists before justice," Turkish FM Ali Babacan told
a meeting on Thursday held at The Chicago Council on Global Affairs.

Babacan noted that the strategic partnership between Turkey and the
US had the strength to adapt itself to the changing conditions.

Babacan said that PKK terrorism and the Armenian allegations concerning
1915 incidents are two most important issues to be settled to ease
the relations between the two countries.

"Turkey cannot accept a third party to play the role of judge or jury,
and take side," Babacan said regarding a resolution at the US Congress
on Armenian allegations concerning the incidents of 1915 .

"Armenian allegations have never been verified neither legally nor
historically. We would like to see that the US Congress did not take
side in this matter, and common sense prevailed. This is an issue that
have to be dealt with between Turks and Armenians," Babacan stressed.

Touching on Turkish-EU relations, Babacan said that Turkey resolutely
continued accession negotiations in its march towards membership to
the Union.

"We will continue with this transformation process in Turkey and will
work to overcome problems we face on this path," he said.

-IRAQ-

Expressing Turkey’s concerns about the developments in Iraq, Babacan
said, "Turkey and the United States share the same view about Iraq.

Both countries are for a peaceful Iraq. Turkey has assisted Iraq in
many areas, from humanitarian aid to development of political dialogue
among different groups. We need to work resolutely to preserve Iraq’s
territorial integrity and political unity."

Recalling that it was Turkey which initiated the group of countries
neighbouring Iraq , Babacan said, "now, this initiative also includes
the five members of the UN Security Council and G-8 countries. Turkey
will host the second meeting of the group in Istanbul in October."

"The United States have some plans to withdraw from Iraq. But we
will remain in the region. Iraq’s future, territorial integrity and
political unity are of great importance for Turkey and the other
neighbouring countries. We believe that all Iraqi people should
benefit from the country’s natural resources," he said.

-IRAN’S NUCLEAR PROGRAMME, SYRIA AND MIDDLE EAST-

"Turkey believes that all countries have the right to use nuclear
energy for peaceful purposes. However, we are against development
of new nuclear weapons due to national, regional and global security
concerns. As for Iran’s nuclear programme, we have always recommended
Iranian authorities to be transparent and frank," he said.

Babacan said, "Turkey aims to become a party as regards settlement
of problems in the Middle East, and not a part of the problems. To
this end, Turkey’s giving sound messages to Iran and Syria as a
neighbouring country."

Babacan gave the message that it is not correct to isolate those
countries.

"Turkey is one of the rare countries having good relations with both
Israel and Arab states. And we are ready to host an international
conference in an effort to solve the Middle East dispute," he said.

-TURKEY’S REFORM PROCESS-

Giving information about Turkey’s reform process, Babacan said,
"as a result of increasing foreign investments and a rapid growth
rate, Turkey is expected to become the 10th biggest economy of the
world in 2023. Turkey has a young and dynamic population. There are
many surveys showing that the EU-countries would need some 50 million
migrants in near future due to their low birth rates. Turkey will be
quite different in the future as compared with the current one."

-CYPRUS-

Referring to the Cyprus problem, Babacan said, "unfair isolation
of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has still been
continuing. This isolation must come to an end. We cannot accept status
quo as a solution. Turkey wants a fair, durable and comprehensive
solution to the Cyprus issue."

Meanwhile, Babacan held talks with representatives of Jewish
associations such as the American Jewish Federation and the
Anti-Defamation League in Chicago. During the meeting, the
representatives said that they are opposing to the bills on the
incidents of 1915.

Babacan said that enactment of the bill by the US Congress will have
a serious impact on Turkey-US and Turkey-Israel relations.

Later, Babacan met Chicago World Trade Centre Chairman Neil Hartigan.

Babacan is expected to proceed to New York on Saturday.