Ambassador's Remarks and Public Events

Ambassador Ross Wilson Interview with Reporters
Ari Conference

Istanbul – Hyatt, June 14, 2007

Question: First, there are some claims that the U.S. intervening into Iraq had helped to strengthen the PKK problem. What do you think about that?

Ambassador Wilson: Let me be sure I understand your question: You said that there are some claims that the United States has intervened to help the PKK? No.

Question: No. That the United States intervening to Iraq had helped to strengthen the PKK in Northern Iraq.

Ambassador Wilson: There is nothing that the United States has done, is doing, or will do, to help PKK terrorists in northern Iraq or anywhere else. We condemn the PKK; we condemn their activities; and it is inconceivable to me that we would ever provide any kind of help to an organization like that; and we do not.

Question: Mr. Wilson, there has been a lot of talk about a cross-border operation for the Turkish army against the PKK in northern Iraq. And the United States has [inaudible] two times. What’s your opinion about that?

Ambassador Wilson: Well, I think, a variety of American officials, including Secretary Rice, General Ralston, I, myself, have spoken on this issue countless times. Our position has not changed and I would – I think the wisest thing is to refer you back to the statements that we’ve made in the past. Obviously, we recognize, accept and support the right of democratically elected governments and security forces of our allies, to protect themselves, and to protect their people. Leaders have an obligation - as do our leaders when we address security issues - to try to find the wisest way and the most effective way to do so. We’re confident that the Turkish authorities – and I personally am confident that the Turkish authorities – will find the most effective way to do that, to protect the Turkish people.

Question: What would be the reaction of the United States if the Turkish army interferes to northern Iraq?

Ambassador Wilson: Let me refer back to the things we’ve said in the past. What we want to work on with Turkey is collaboratively, United States and Turkey, to find ways, in Turkey, in Northern Iraq, in Europe, to go after the PKK, to curb their ability to raise money. To curb and ultimately eliminate their ability to carry out terrorist attacks against this country, in particular out of northern Iraq. And we also want to try to foster, to the extent that we can, cooperation between Iraq – between Turkey and Iraq – so that the two countries can have collaborative strategies to go after an organization and a set of activities that neither one of them supports in any way, shape or form. O.K.? Thank you.

Ambassador's Remarks and Public Events