STATEMENTS BY U.S. OFFICIALS
Washington Foreign Press Center Briefing with General JOseph W. Ralston (USAF, Retired), U.S. Special Envoy for Countering the PKK
Topic: "Recent Consultations in Turkey and Iraq"
THE WASHINGTON FOREIGN PRESS CENTER,
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2006, 10:00 A.M. EDT
MODERATOR: Good morning and welcome to the Foreign Press Center for today's briefing by retired General Ralston, the U.S. Special Envoy for countering the PKK. He'll be speaking about his recent trip to the region, to Iraq and to Turkey to discuss with Iraq and Turkey our common goal of ending the PKK terrorism. General Ralston will open with a brief statement and then be happy to take your questions for about a half an hour. Thank you very much.
GEN RALSTON: Well, good morning. First of all, let me say that it was earlier this month when I was appointed as the Special Envoy for Countering the PKK. And I'm sure you will understand the significance of this. I was somewhat disturbed to see that I was called in much of the Turkish press a coordinator of the PKK. I never have used the word "coordinator." It has always been Special Envoy for Countering the PKK. And the significance of that point is it is not -- first of all, I will not meet with the PKK. We do not meet with terrorist groups. The PKK is declared a terrorist group, not only by Turkey and the United States and the United Kingdom, but the entire European Union. And so I want to allay any fears that anyone may have that somehow within my mandate, I am to coordinate or meet with or have discussions with the PKK. That is the furthest thing that could be from the truth.
Secondly, let me apologize that I am -- I kept you waiting this morning. I have been on the phone with my Turkish counterpart, General Baser. We had a secure phone call this morning to talk about the issues and what -- that we are doing and the way ahead. I did have in my judgment a very useful trip, not only to Turkey where I met with all of the appropriate Turkish officials from the Prime Minister to General Buyukanit, who is a good friend back in the days when I was Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he was Deputy Chief of the Turkish General Staff. So we had worked very well together at that point. Certainly the appointment of General Edip Baser as the -- as my counterpart in Turkey, was to me wonderful news because of the relationship that I have had with him over the years as we worked together on many, many tough problems. So that, I think, is good news.
And I also met not only with the Prime Minister and the chief of the Turkish General Staff, but with the Interior Minister of the Turkish National Police, the intelligence organizations, as well as the U.S. country team in Ankara. From there I went to Iraq and again had meetings with -- in Baghdad with the Vice President, with the Prime Minister, with the Minister of Defense, with General Casey who is heading all of our forces there and then later on with President Talabani. He was in the United States at the time I was in Iraq and I met with him in New York as part of his visit to the United Nations. I also went to northern Iraq and had a meeting with President Barzani in the north and I think it's important that you understand that what my purpose and intent is to try to get the Government of Iraq, the Government of Turkey and the Government of the United States of America all working together in a fashion that we can all be effective in countering the PKK.
And as I have said when I was in Ankara, let me extend my sympathies to all of the families of the victims of these absolutely barbaric bombings and terrorist acts that have taken place on the part of the PKK. Maybe I can stop at that point and see what's on your mind -- any questions that you may have.
MODERATOR: If you would please identify yourself and your news organization and wait for the mike. Take your question, Umit.
Umit.
MODERATOR: Can you wait for the mike, please?
QUESTION: Thank you. Umit Enginsoy with Turkish NTV Television. General, the other day President Talabani in an interview with Newsweek suggested that he or what he referred as "we" have convinced the PKK to stop fighting Turkey and he also said that the PKK was preparing to formally announce a ceasefire. Do you have any knowledge of this? Will it be of any significance to you if the PKK announces a ceasefire? Thank you.
GENERAL RALSTON: Well, first of all, I am familiar with the news report that you saw. First of all, I think there's a concern about the term "ceasefire." Ceasefire sort of implies an act that is taken between two states, two actors, to do that. And I don't want to confer that kind of status on the PKK by saying a ceasefire. Having said that, if it's used in the generic sense and sometimes there's problems with translations here, if the PKK lays down its arms and renounces violence, certainly that is a positive step. There is much more that needs to be done. But I certainly think that we need to get the message across to the PKK that violence is unaccepted in the international community. Acts of terrorism are unacceptable. And laying down their arms and renouncing violence is certainly a useful step.
QUESTION: Do you have information that they will do so?
GENERAL RALSTON: I have no information that they will do so at this time.
MODERATOR: Wait for the mike please.
QUESTION: Kasim Cindemir, Turkey daily Hurriyet. So following up on what he asked, did you convince Talabani to (inaudible) as PKK?
GENERAL RALSTON: Let me state it in this way. I tried to use my visit to Iraq with all of the governmental officials to impress upon them the unacceptability of Iraqi territory being used as a safe haven for the PKK; that that's unacceptable.
Point number two, it works certainly against the best interest of Iraq. Turkey is the best possible friend that Iraq could have in that neighborhood. There is no question about that. And the economic interest between Iraq and Turkey are critical for both Iraq and Turkey. And so -- in order to raise the standard of living of all the people, Turkish and Iraqi, we need to stop the violence. We need to stop the terrorism and let the economic ties that are already there -- quite frankly very good -- become better. But that was my message to all officials. And we all -- there's a series of steps that have to be taken by everyone, whether it's the Iraqi Government, the Turkish Government and the United States Government to be more effective in countering the PKK.
MODERATOR: George.
QUESTION: George Gedda of AP. Do you have a good read on the extent of PKK crossing into Iraqi territory as a staging area for attacks into Turkey?
GENERAL RALSTON: I'm not sure exactly the question. You say do I have a good read on that? Do I understand that? Do I know how they do it and the routes they --
QUESTION: How widespread?
GENERAL RALSTON: Well, I think it's safe to say that the terrorist acts that have occurred recently in Turkey, that you all know so very much about, whether it was in Diyarbakir or whether in the tourist areas, whether it was the most recent one that happened there, I think these are attributed to the PKK and if the PKK is operating with immunity in the hills of northern Iraq that is an unacceptable situation.
MODERATOR: Yes.
QUESTION: Thank you. Vahdi Sinanoglu TRT Radio. When you listen to the Iraqi officials, what were the suggestions they brought to you in terms of how to fight the PKK from their end? Thank you.
GENERAL RALSTON: Well, I don't want to get too far ahead of the process here. One of the things that I asked for the Iraqis to do was to name a counterpart for General Baser and myself so that we have someone who is dedicated to this task to do it. I made it clear that there were several other things that needed to be done. PKK offices needed to be closed throughout Iraq and the officials agreed to that. Now, there is some follow-up that needs to be done because it's one thing to say the offices are closed. It's another thing to go -- and I had this discussion with General Casey, let's put together a unit. Let's go to these offices and we're going to find out either they're closed or they're not closed. And if they're not closed then you have the authority to close them. So let's go on and get on with that.
And so there were a number of steps like that that we talked about. I'm not going to lay all of that out here because there's still much that has to be done. But there are a whole range of things that need to be done.
QUESTION: (Off-mike.)
GENERAL RALSTON: I outlined these are things that need to be done. The Iraqis says we agree. And in fact the Iraqi said we have put out the word that the PKK offices will close. And I said yes I understand that, but it's important that they be closed. Let's go and check are they closed or not. Have they just changed the name on the shingle that's outside; that's not acceptable so let's put together a team and go and verify that that's been done. And if they're not closed then let's close them.
MODERATOR: Go ahead.
QUESTION: Thank you. There were talks that President Talabani was speaking of amnesty, seeking general amnesty from the Turkish side. When you talk to the Iraqis did they bring up general amnesty again in the discussions?
GENERAL RALSTON: I'm not going to go into the specific discussions but let me say something as an American here. I understand the sensitivity of this issue. Look what happened, for those of you who are living in the United States, you know what happened in this country when the word amnesty was used regarding some immigrants to this country who have not been terrorist, who have been guilty of working in the United States. There was a tremendous political reaction against that. Imagine the reaction in Turkey if you say amnesty for people who have gone out and committed these horrendous acts of violence against innocent civilians. So I understand the concern that people have and that was not a part of my discussions.
MODERATOR: Yes.
QUESTION: Hasan Hazar, Turkey Daily. General, you talked in Ankara that you are looking for cooperation to eliminate PKK, which such was just not Turkish Government but Turkish people also. What do you mean by that? How can be Turkish people satisfied with this cooperation?
GENERAL RALSTON: Well, again we have to be very careful in the use of the word. I think everybody can understand that it's important for the United States Government, the Turkish Government and the Iraqi Government to cooperate because this is something that is not going to be solved by any one of us alone. If somebody tries to broaden that language and say, well, it takes cooperation on the part of the PKK. We're going to cooperate with the PKK. That's not at all what is intended, envisioned or will happen. But when I talk about cooperation, I'm talking about cooperation between the U.S. Government, the Turkish Government and the Iraqi Government.
MODERATOR: Yes, sir.
QUESTION: Hi. My name is Rusen Cakir, Turkey Vatan daily newspaper. In Turkey people in general, public opinion, is not very clear about your mission. There's not only the question of the name labeling your status like coordinator or envoy or (inaudible), but people don't know really what you will be doing after the visit. And now this Monday our Prime Minister will visit White House and we are -- we want to know about whether are we preparing some report -- some kind of report directed to President Bush? And secondly, the visit of Mr. Erdogan, according to you, it may be a turning point of this conflict -- PKK -- or it is a visit or some ordinary visit? In your mission, what is the importance of this Monday meeting in White House?
GENERAL RALSTON: Well, you have several questions there and so let me try it this way. Yes, on my return from my trip to Turkey and Iraq, I prepared a report that has gone forward and yesterday I had a meeting with the National Security Council to personally brief them on not only what had been done but what was to follow and what was going to happen in the ways ahead. And clearly in our system that is information that will go to the President in preparation for his meeting with your Prime Minster.
Point number two, when your Prime Minster comes to the United States there are a whole host of issues that will be discussed between the Prime Minister and the President as they should between two heads of government. And how important is the PKK as an issue, let me tell you that it's important enough that the President of the United States decided that we needed a special envoy to counter the PKK and to try to get all of our efforts in the United States focused in the right direction, along with those of Turkey and Iraq.
QUESTION: Michael Ignatiou from (inaudible) TV. Sir, what are your options to fight the PKK and is military action an option for you?
GENERAL RALSTON: We have said and I have said personally, certainly all options are on the table. There are a whole host of things that need to be done to fight terrorism, whether it's fighting the PKK or fighting al-Qaida or whoever it happens to be. One of the most effective things is stopping the flow of money, for example. That's critical. That's not necessarily a military task; that is a task that you work through in the international banking system and with other countries to do that. At the other end of the spectrum are clearly military measures. And I have said at the very beginning that all options are on the table and we have to look at all of these.
I have also said that as a former uniformed officer, all of us in a uniform, whether it is Turkish officers, U.S. officers, Iraqi officers, we all believe that the use of force is the last resort not the first resort. And that still is a guiding principle for all of us. But having said that, that does not mean that we will not take military action, quite the contrary -- all options are on the table.
QUESTION: Margaret Besheer, Voice of America. I understand there's about 2,000 Turkish troops inside northern Iraq and I wanted to know what the status -- what their purpose is there and also what the extent of U.S. troop involvement is in northern Iraq in terms of countering the PKK.
GENERAL RALSTON: I don't think it's useful to go into various force levels and where they are in Iraq, other than to say that I did have discussions with General Casey. General Casey understands the seriousness of this issue and the significance of this issue. General Casey pledged his full support. I have been in discussions with General Abizaid as recently as yesterday. General Abizaid understands the seriousness of this effort and has pledged his full support.
QUESTION: Cem Sey, Deutsche Welle Radio. In your report or in your briefing to the National Security Council did you advise any specific steps for the future?
GENERAL RALSTON: Yes.
QUESTION: What were these? (Laughter.)
GENERAL RALSTON: I don't think it would be appropriate to go into those.
MODERATOR: Yes, sir.
QUESTION: Elif Ozmenek from the Voice of America. I guess I will have to repeat a question by Mr. Cakir, which is actually about the Turkish opinion is not clear enough about your mission. What would you say about this?
GENERAL RALSTON: Well, and I'm very much aware of that from reading the Turkish media. And so one of my reasons for being with you here today is to, first of all, tell you that I am not a coordinator. I am special envoy for countering the PKK. That would be very important to get that message, I think to the Turkish people. I am not going to meet with the PKK. We don't meet with terrorists. We don't negotiate with terrorists. We don't cooperate with terrorists. So anything you can do to dispel that notion that is in the Turkish press would be helpful I think in clarifying for the Turkish people.
I very much understand the anxiety level of the Turkish people, because if you look at these absolutely horrendous acts that have been conducted against the Turkish people it's understandable. And so if you can help convince the Turkish people that the United States understands that this is a very, very serious issue and that we are taking it seriously. As I said I was late getting here this morning because I was on the secure phone with Gen. Baser at the Turkish General Staff so that we could talk about further steps and ways ahead. So we are trying to address this in as thoughtful and as serious a way as we can, not only within the United States and not only within Turkey, but certainly within Iraq.
QUESTION: Can I have a follow-up?
GEN RALSTON: Sure.
QUESTION: Well, in the light of recent comments by Mr. Talabani and the counter comments by Prime Minister Erdogan who said actual Talabani's comments were literally ugly. Well, how would you define your task? I mean, how tough would you define your task in the light of these comments, these probable resentment?
GEN RALSTON: Well, clearly, this is not an easy task. Countering terrorists anywhere in the world is not an easy task. Every country in the world has terrorist problems. I don't care whether it is the UK, Spain, France, the United States, Turkey, we all have terrorist problems and we all have to cooperate to do this. And I think the realization of the significance of the PKK problem to Turkey and to the Turkish people is something that I need to raise that visibility level with the American people. And when I'm talking to the American people, you can rest assure that I will be doing that to make them understand that.
Those of you who live in the United States, you know this. If you go and you stop somebody on the street out here and say, "What do you know about the PKK in Turkey," you're going to get the thousand-mile stare. They don't know what you're talking about and it's a very intense important crucial issue for every Turkish citizen. I wish that the American public was more educated on what's going on outside the United States. They're not and that's one of the things that I will try to help raise that awareness level.
QUESTION: Will you be meeting civilian Turkish Kurds who some people think may be close to the PKK, including the political party and mayors of Turkish-dominated provinces or cities? The second one is what is next now? Will you be foreseeing at the tripartite meeting -- how do you see the Iraqi leaders' position on countering the PKK? And do you think the representation of Iraqi Kurds will be a problem because Turkey doesn't recognize the Kurdistan region government?
GENERAL RALSTON: Again, you have several questions there. Let me try to sort them out one at a time. I certainly have no plans to meet with citizens of Turkey other than what I would do in the course of my duties. And if there is a law abiding citizen of Turkey and if there were sufficient reason for me to meet with them, then I would have no problem of doing so. But I don't have any plans of doing that, so I'm not going to speculate on who I will meet with or who I won't meet with.
My intention is to work with General Baser who is my counterpart, to work with the Turkish Government and to work with the Iraqi Government and their representative that they designate. At some point, I think it would be useful if we had a tripartite meeting as we try to outline ways that we can cooperate together. The groundwork has to be prepared for that. I will be returning to Turkey here in the next couple of weeks and will be meeting with General Baser and the appropriate people in Turkey, again to outline steps between the United States and Turkey of what we can do.
I will be doing a similar thing with Iraq and then it's natural that the three of us at some point would meet.
QUESTION: How do you qualify the Iraqi-Kurdish leaders' position on the PKK? And again, would the representation in talks be a problem?
GENERAL RALSTON: Well, again it's up for the Government of Iraq as to who they pick as their counterpart. They have not done that yet but I think that will be done here very soon. And I'm not here to speak for Iraqi-Kurdish representatives. I mean, they will have to speak for themselves. But I think I made it very clear to all factions in Iraq the unacceptable actions of the PKK and the PKK operating out of Iraqi territory. And I think all factions in Iraq understand the seriousness of that.
MODERATOR: George and then one last one.
QUESTION: Are there steps that you think Turkey should take to make membership in the PKK a less attractive option for Turkey's Kurdish population?
GENERAL RALSTON: I'm not here to address that. This is clearly an issue that is a Turkish issue. I'm not here to intervene in internal Turkish affairs. I do believe that we have got to look, as I say, General Baser and I will be sitting down and talking through a whole range of issues and I don't want to presume any particular outcome on those issues.
MODERATOR: We have time for one last one. Cem.
QUESTION: The Turkish public has the feeling that the Iraqi side is not really willing to cooperate in this issue and countering the PKK or the PKK presence in Iraq. Can you imagine for the future that Turkey and this United States could cooperate in taking some measures without participation of the Iraqi side?
GENERAL RALSTON: I can certainly, in theory, envision there are things that the United States and Turkey can do together, just like I can envision, in theory, there are things that the United States and Iraq can do together. And there are things that Iraq and Turkey can do together without the U.S. So these are the types of things that we have to look at and go through to do that.
I would -- one thing I would point you to the statement that the Prime Minister of Iraq made after my visit there. That Iraq could not be used by a terrorist group, by the PKK, from Iraqi territory and I think that is a step forward. That was a very strong statement on the part of the Iraqi Prime Minister. So I think there is an appreciation in the Government of Iraq that this is a serious problem and that they have to work on it. Having said that, Iraq has a lot of problems, you know that. And so they -- it's important that we keep people focused on this problem. That was the reason for my meeting with General Casey, with General Abizaid as well as with all of the representatives of the Iraqi Government.
Let me just say in closing, I thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to come today and talk to you. I certainly realize the significance of this issue in Turkey. I would ask your help to try to help me correct some of the misperceptions in the minds of the Turkish public. I think these were not intentional mischaracterizations of the role and so forth. A lot of it, as General Buyukanit has said in his speeches, is a matter of translation and words don't always translate properly. I am not a coordinator. I'm not going to meet with PKK. (laughter) So anything you can help get that message across would be much appreciated. So thank you very much today.
MODERATOR: Thank you very much. Thank you for coming.