Statements by U.S. Officials

Remarks by Deputy Secretary Richard Armitage on Arrival at Esenboga Airport

Ankara - January 2, 2005

Deputy Secretary Armitage: Good evening and Happy New Year. We will be having some discussions with government officials here tomorrow. As you may know, my colleagues and I have just come from Iraq and from Syria. We have a lot to discuss, and I look forward to those discussions. Perhaps tomorrow morning after we’ve had these talks, I can make some further comments. Thank you very much.

Question: Sir, there are reports that you have given a letter from Mr. Bush to the Kurdish leaders in Iraq. Do you have another message or letter for the Turkish Prime Minister or President?

Deputy Secretary Armitage: I didn’t give a letter to the Kurdish leaders. I only met with Mr. Barzani -- I didn’t have a letter. But I did have a long conversation about things that were of great interest to our President. I certainly think they will be of great interest here in Ankara as well. But I want to make sure I talk to Turkish officials first before I talk to you about it. Thank you very much.