ANKARA - U.S. Central Command Chief General John Abizaid departed from Ankara on Saturday after wrapping up his meetings with Turkish officials.
Holding a press conference after departure of Supreme Allied Commander General James Jones and General Abizaid, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Robert Pearson expressed their pleasure with the General Staff's hosting two high-ranking U.S. military officials the same day.
Pearson noted that visits of General Jones and General Abizaid confirmed sound military ties between Turkey and the United States and displayed the United States' respect to honor of the Turkish Armed Forces.
Noting that proposals, which were conveyed by Ministry of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal during his visit to the United States, were taken up in detail, Pearson said that the issue would be discussed once again during Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul's scheduled visit to Washington D.C. next week.
Pointing out that works carried out by Turkey-the United States Joint Commission, which was formed to investigate detention of Turkish soldiers in northern Iraq, were also assessed during meetings of U.S. high-ranking military officials, Pearson said that the sides had taken up the issue of formation of a new cooperation channel in order to prevent such distressing events.
Pearson said that during meetings of military officials of Turkey and the United States, the sides had adopted an approach about cooperation in efforts to eradicate terrorist organization PKK/KADEK in northern Iraq.
Noting that unofficial talks were also held on the issue of stability force in Iraq, Pearson said that there had been some uncertainties about the stability force, however, the sides had reached consensus to maintain their unofficial talks.
Stressing that security issues such as national army, police and border security units under rebuilding process of Iraq were taken up during meetings of General Jones and General Abizaid with Turkish officials, Pearson described the visits as professional and friendly.
GENERAL STAFF: ''DURING MEETINGS OF GENERAL ABIZAID, MEASURES TO BE TAKEN IN COOPERATION AND COORDINATION TO PREVENT SUCH EVENTS WERE TAKEN UP''
The General Staff stated on Saturday, ''during the meeting between General Staff Chief General Hilmi Ozkok and U.S. Central Command Chief General John Abizaid, measures that can be taken on the issues of cooperation and coordination in order to prevent events like detention of Turkish soldiers in northern Iraq, were taken up.''
Releasing a statement, the General Staff said, ''before leaving for Iraq, General Abizaid paid a visit to General Staff Chief General Ozkok. During the meeting, measures that can be taken on the issues of cooperation and coordination in order to prevent events like detention of Turkish soldiers in northern Iraq on July 4, 2003, were taken up. Also, the sides exchanged views on what could be done in cooperation against activities of the terrorist organization PKK/KADEK in northern Iraq, formation of stability force to be set up in order to provide stability and security in Iraq, and military cooperation. The meeting was beneficial in regard to providing a consensus and determining principles of cooperation about stability movement in Iraq.''
(UK-MS) 19.07.2003