AMBASSADOR'S REMARKS AND PUBLIC EVENTS

Ambassador Ross Wilson Speaking to the Media before a Meeting with AKP Provincial Chairman Abdurrahman Kurt

Diyarbakir, May 27, 2006

QUESTION:  Can we get your impressions about the city?

AMBASSADOR:  As I was just saying a moment ago, this is clearly a very interesting city.  We had the opportunity yesterday to walk around the walls and see some of the other historical sites.  There is a lot of potential here, a lot that people can be very proud of, and a lot to work with in developing business in the future, especially tourism.  People have been very friendly to me.  I am learning a lot.  There are a couple more conversations to go, and I definitely look forward to coming back to Diyarbakir in the future.  

QUESTION:  How did you find the approach of the region to the United States?

AMBASSADOR WILSON:  Everyone that I have met with has been very friendly to me.

QUESTION:  Yesterday you said a sentence that has created a debate in the public.  You said that those who advocate terrorism are on a dead end street.  Did you imply some specific individuals or were you speaking in general terms?  There is an impression that you made reference to the lawyers of Ocalan. 

AMBASSADOR WILSON:  I was not referring to Ocalan’s lawyers or any other specific individuals of that kind.  Terrorism is a dead end, and terrorists are on a dead end for the world.  The future that they are talking about, the future that they are trying to bring about is a very dark one that people have struggled to emerge from over many, many years.  This region has been beset by terrorism.  We deeply regret that.  We want to support the efforts of all the citizens of Turkey to continue to turn away from that.  We want to support the efforts of the citizens to defeat terrorism, and to build a prosperous and democratic future for all the people of this country. 

QUESTION:  Did you talk about these issues during your meeting with Baydemir?  Did he give you a message?

AMBASSADOR WILSON:  The purpose of my meeting with Mr. Baydemir, the purpose of my meeting with the Governor, my meetings with other people this morning, and this meeting here as well is to listen and to learn what people have to say about developments in this region.  I think I will just leave it at that.