Statements by U.S. Officials

Remarks by General James Jones, Commander, U.S. Forces in Europe, in the Embassy Garden

September 9, 2005

GENERAL JONES: Thank you very much. It is a pleasure to be here. We have just concluded some very important discussions with our Turkish friends here in Ankara. General Ozkok was a gracious host. We had wonderful meetings in the spirit of collegiality that exists between the United States European Command, the United States Central Command, and the Turkish Armed Forces as represented by the Turkish General Staff. Our discussions centered around the common struggle against terrorism. We discussed specific Turkish concerns, obviously, with regard to the PKK. We also discussed the wider-ranging issues of terrorism as it affects not only our respective countries, but the international order as well. We reviewed all of the ongoing agreements and cooperative efforts that we have, which are substantial. We reviewed in specific all of the accords and that are the testimony to the spirit of cooperation that exists, and that we have reinvigorated particularly this year. We are continuing to refine those accords and that bilateral spirit of cooperation with concrete measures that are aimed at improving our security along our borders and on the high seas and in the air. I think that all of us leave today with a renewed determination on the global war on terrorism, which has its particular regional concerns here in Turkey, but also has a broader international concern, and we are very pleased with the role that Turkey is playing in support of that war on terrorism. I am quite sure that this spirit of renewed cooperation and the discussions that we have had today will significantly enhance our determined struggle to keep our people free and our borders secure, and that our combat, our fight against terrorism, will continue to be an ongoing struggle that will result in success. With that I will be happy to take some of your questions.

QUESTION: General Jones, US has made some commitments on action against the PKK in Europe. As the European Forces Commander, can you share with us what has been done so far, and what other measure (inaudible)?

GENERAL JONES: On a bilateral basis with the Turkish Armed Forces, we have reinforced our ability to communicate very rapidly. We have had exchanges of liaison officers. We have a series of agreements in which we exchange information on a rapid basis. We are cooperating, I think, at an unprecedented level to ensure that our common cause with regard to the struggle against terrorism -- whether it is on the border here or elsewhere in the world, in Europe in particular -- is in fact an international effort. We all reject terrorism. We all condemn it. And Turkey’s participation in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, for example, and Operation Active Endeavor in the Mediterranean, is a further indication that the family of nations is coming together to fight this common problem that has many names, but one common tactic. That common tactic is terrorism, and we reject that.

QUESTION: General Jones, Turkey is expecting a military operation against the PKK in Iraq, especially in northern Iraq. Will we see this one day from US forces?

GENERAL JONES: As you know, United States and coalition forces are engaged in a very serious struggle in Iraq, and part of that struggle includes a close working relationship with, in particular, our Turkish neighbors. The US Central Command was represented today, and participated in very fruitful talks with the Turkish General Staff to reaffirm the spirit of cooperation, to talk concretely about some things that can be done in the spirit of that cooperation with the Turkish Armed Forces and the US Central Command in northern Iraq. I think that that spirit, which was strong to start with, has been renewed, and we leave confident that we are all embarked on the same struggle.

QUESTION: (inaudible) the Turkish public is expecting (inaudible). But do you have a timetable for (inaudible).

GENERAL JONES: I appreciate that question, because this is something that we talked about. I think it is very important that public opinion, be it in Turkey or in the United States or elsewhere in Europe, be reassured that their armed forces and security organizations are doing everything they can to fight against these terrorist concerns. I am extraordinarily proud of the contribution and the cooperation that exist between Turkey and the United States in this struggle. I wish to add my voice to those who wish to reassure our publics, and in particular the public in Turkey, that the relationship is as strong as ever and as cooperative as ever. The situation in northern Iraq is one that now involves a sovereign government in Iraq. The future of this particular area is going to be resolved by the countries and the governments that exist in the area -- notably Turkey, Iraq, and, to the extent that it can help, the United States. But this is an ongoing issue. It is not a minor issue. It is a major issue. The fact that the US Central Command, the US European Command, and the Turkish General Staff got together should be a solid indication of the magnitude and importance to which we attach to this issue. It should serve, I hope, as a symbol of reassurance to the Turkish public, and to any public, who need to be convinced that this struggle against terrorism is real, is substantive, is committed, and focused, and that it will be resolved in a successful way. Thank you very much.