Anatolia News Agency, Turkey
Oct 19 2007

Australian envoy surprised by US Armenian resolution

Ankara, 19 October: The Australian ambassador to Turkey, Peter Doyle,
said [on] Friday [19 October] he could not understand how the bill
regarding the Armenian allegations on the incidents of 1915 would
serve solution of important issues.

Doyle told Anatolia that US President George W. Bush, the secretary
of state, Condoleezza Rice, and the ambassador to Turkey, Ross
Wilson, opposed the resolution. He stated Australia supported the US
administration rather than the Congress on this matter.

"Australia has always supported Turkey’s EU membership bid," Doyle
said.

He stated Turkey is a distinguished member of the international
community and he hoped Turkey would be successful in regard to its
candidacy for a non-permanent seat at UN Security Council for 2009
and 2010.

Ambassador Doyle said the Australian government announced again in
September that it considered PKK [Kurdistan Workers’ Party] a
terrorist organization.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer paid a visit to Turkey
in February and Turkish and Australian authorities signed a
memorandum of understanding on cooperation in fight against terrorism
during Downer’s visit.

"Turkey is a bridge between the East and the West. We support
‘Alliance of civilizations’ initiative co-sponsored by Turkey and
Spain," Doyle stated.

Turkish economy has recorded a significant growth in recent years,
Doyle added.