9-PEOPLE DELEGATION MEETS WITH OFFICIALS OF AMERICAN ADMINISTRATION, CONGRESS, IMF, WORLD BANK, JEWISH INSTITUTIONS, AS WELL AS AMERICAN ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY
WASHINGTON - The 9-people parliamentary delegation, currently in Washington, met with officials of American Armenian Assembly (AAA), which is the influential Armenian institutions in the United States.
The parliamentary delegation comprised of Reha Denemec, Erol Aslan Cebeci, Afif Demirkiran, Nazim Ekren, Nukhet Hotar Goksel, Ibrahim Ozal, Ali Dincer, Zeynep Damla Gurel and Memduh Hacioglu held a news conference in Washington and briefed about their contacts.
Denemec, Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Deputy Chairman, said that they met with officials of American administration, congress and various institutions, as well as the officials of the AAA.
Mentioning the importance of setting up dialogue, Denemec said, ''we should start from the easiest in relations, not from the most difficult one. Steps should be taken to normalize relations. Trade has important role in this respect.''
Stating that Turkey's trade relations with neighboring countries constituted 8 percent of its whole trade, and that this ratio was around 30 percent in other countries, Denemec said, ''it is easier to improve long term relations when there is trade. This is not only valid for Armenia, it is in question for all neighbors.''
Denemec said officials of AAA expressed their request for opening Ani ancient city in Turkey's Armenian border, adding that Armenians wanted to visit Turkey by using half-constructed bridge which passes over the Arpacay.
When asked whether or not Turkey decided to open Armenian border, Denemec said, ''we speak in general sense. Improvement of trade is in question. However a final shape could not yet be given to the picture.''
Responding to the questions about the Armenian drafts in U.S. Congress, Denemec said during the contacts in Washington, he got an impression that the draft resolution would not be passed. Reha Denemec said, ''United States wants solution in Turkish-Armenian relations. Draft can not be solution by passing from parliaments of other countries. I think they well understood this.''
Evaluating Turkish-U.S. relations, Denemec said the relations were in a better condition at the time being when compared with March 1, stating that both sides should exert efforts to further improve relations. He said as the parliamentary delegation, their target was to keep the canals open and increase communication.
Denemec said they met with senators from Republican Party and Democratic Party, members of Representatives Assembly, World bank and IMF, Treasury, Defense Department, Trade Department, National Security Council, Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen Association (TUSIAD), Ari Foundation, Turkish-American Assembly, officials of American Turkish Council, and Jewish Institutions like JINSA, Bnai Brith, and APEC, and Eric Edelman, who was appointed to U.S. Embassy in Ankara.
When asked whether or not there were criticisms regarded with the motion during his contacts, Denemec said the circles they met had more common sense as time passed. Denemec said even the members of the Turkish friendship group in the congress had misinformation that the government did not support the motion.
Denemec said they came to the United States to assess what could be done more from now on in Turkish-U.S. relations, stating that, ''mutual interests are in question in international relations. This is the same in Turkish-U.S. relations. Turkey has importance in the region. That sentimental air in the U.S. has vanished.''
Denemec said they saw that there was not a clear view in the United States on Iranian issue.
Responding to question about one billion U.S. dollars donation or 8.5 billion U.S. dollars loan support which the United States allocated for Turkey, Denemec said Turkey did not have problem in rolling over debts.
Denemec said during the talks in Amman, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs Alan Larson approached positively to the proposal of Turkey that some of this aid could be given as loan to the companies in Iraq, adding that, ''this money will decrease Turkey's debts, and help reduction of real interests. Turkey's priority is to reduce real interests.''
Pointing out that Cyprus issue was also discussed in contacts in Washington, Denemec said both the Turkish and the Greek Cypriot sides have drawbacks on the U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan, yet that they believed the necessity of negotiating by basing on this plan.
Recalling that Greek Cypriot side would enter the EU on May 1, 2004, Denemec said Turkish Cypriot side should do its best till that date.
Denemec said there could be a four-way negotiation process with the participation of Greece and Turkey, adding that everybody should leave aside the concerns and act jointly on the most important issue of the country that is the EU.
AK Party Istanbul Parliamentarian Ibrahim Ozal in his part said he thought that Cyprus people should have the right to speak on this issue, adding that, ''Cyprus should reach a lasting and peaceful solution. This issue should totally be independent from Turkey's EU negotiations.''
(AY-BRC) 28.06.2003