Statements by U.S. Officials

Remarks by Charge d’Affaires Nancy McEldowney Following Her Meeting with Prime Minister Erdogan

Ankara, Turkey - August 9, 2005

CHARGE: Merhabalar. It is very nice to see you all. I have just completed an introductory call with Prime Minister Erdogan. This was my second opportunity, as I first met the Prime Minister during his visit to Washington in June. It was a great honor for me to be received by the Prime Minister. I was also deeply gratified by his graciousness and generosity, both with his time and with his ideas. We had a very wide-ranging and very positive discussion. Of course, the details of our discussion are private, and they will remain so. But I would like to offer you some general thoughts about the United States’ approach to Turkey and some of the issues that we are dealing with today.

The first and most important thing that I want to stress is the desire of the United States Government to deepen and strengthen the partnership that exists between our two governments – the Turkish and American governments – and also to strengthen the partnership between American and Turkish people. Those are not simply words. There is serious intention behind them, and a determination that we will carry forward and deepen the collaboration between Turkey and America. America remains fully supportive of Turkey’s bid to become a full member of the European Union, and we also support the continuation of the political and economic reforms that will be necessary to make that happen. We are also determined to continue our efforts to end the isolation of northern Cyprus. As you know, Turkey and America are cooperating around the world to combat terrorism everywhere it occurs. Turkish forces just completed their second command of the ISAF operation in Afghanistan and they are deployed in the Balkans and other places in the world to help achieve our common purposes.

The United States is also determined to help Turkey fight against PKK terrorism in Turkey. We have condemned the PKK, its leadership, and its terrorist activity. We have provided concrete assistance to the Turkish authorities, and we continue to do so today. But we have to continue, and we have to find more ways to do this, because as you know better than anyone else, the attacks continue and innocent Turks continue to die at the hand of PKK terrorists. We want to intensify our efforts to work to shut down the financial flows that come from Europe and elsewhere in the world to provide support to the PKK. We want to do everything possible to work together with our Turkish friends here in Turkey. And of course we will work together with the Iraqi authorities, and with the Turks, to stop the PKK attacks that are coming from northern Iraq. In a democratic and united Iraq, there is no place for terrorism. We want the Iraqi authorities to stop the terrorism that is resulting in the deaths of Turks here in Turkey, and of both Iraqis and Americans throughout Iraq.

I want to make one thing very clear. There can be no double standards on terrorism. The goal of terrorists is to divide free and democratic nations like Turkey and America. We will not allow the terrorists to succeed; we will not allow them to divide us. We will continue to work together to stop them. Let me close with that and simply say on a personal note that I have been in Turkey now for seven weeks. I am most delighted to be here. It is a beautiful country. It is a place filled with wonderful people, and I very much look forward to spending the next three years here strengthening our partnership and working with all of you. I am happy to take questions if there are any.

QUESTION: The PKK issue was discussed at the Cabinet meeting as well today. I want a clear answer. Will the US concretely do something to the leadership of PKK? Will it capture them and give them to Turkey?

CHARGE: I understand the emotion and the controversy that goes with this issue, because I know that people are dying. Both the United States and the Turkish Government are determined to do everything possible including concrete steps to try to stop the violence and save the lives. If it were a simple proposition, we would have solved the problem already. If it were simple, there would not have been a bombing in London, or Sharm Al Sheikh, or Cesme, or Kusadasi. But both as a government official and also as a person who lives in this country, I know the anguish that people feel when lives are lost. I have great sympathy, offer deep condolences, and am committed to try to do everything possible to prevent further tragedies.

QUESTION: The Prime Minister some time ago talked about a cross-border operation. Was he serious about this? How did the US Government take this suggestion? And also, you exchanged views with the Prime Minister; he might have made some requests from you. He sometimes discloses those requests. What did he exactly ask for?

CHARGE: As I said when I started, the content of our private discussions are private and will remain so. We have very intensive consultations underway both bilaterally and on a trilateral basis between the United States, Turkey, and Iraq. Thank you all very much. It is a pleasure to talk you. And thank you very much for your questions.