WASHINGTON - Naci Saribas, Minister Counsellor Deputy Chief of Mission Embassy of Turkey sent a statement to Washington Post newspaper and clarified the statement that the strategic partnership between Turkey and the United States no longer exists and that the two countries are at odds over the PKK-KADEK terrorist presence in north of Iraq.
Statement of Saribas responded David Ignatius's suggestion, which appeared in the newspaper on September 16, claiming that strategic partnership between Turkey and the United States no longer exists.
In the statement, Saribas said, ''initiated decades ago, the U.S.-Turkish partnership endures. Turkey collaborated with the United States to restrain Saddam Hussein through sanctions and a no-fly zone in the 1990s, and it has stood with the United States in the war against terrorism. Despite its public's concerns, Turkey supported recent U.S. efforts in Iraq by approving overflights for combat missions, providing for the transit of supplies to U.S. units in Iraq and allowing the use of Turkish facilities for emergencies and medical treatment. Turkey is now a key conduit for humanitarian assistance and reconstruction materials bound for Iraq.''
''Turkey and the United States also are working together to address the threat posed by PKK-KADEK terrorists, whose abhorrent campaign has claimed more than 35,000 Turkish lives since the late 1980s. In fact, earlier this month, our two countries started work on a plan to address the threat posed by PKK-KADEK terrorists who choose not to accept the generous amnesty program Turkey established last month,'' Saribas stated.
Saribas pointed out that U.S.-Turkish partnership has adapted over time to advance our nations' common interests and will continue to do so. ''Therein lies its strength,'' he said.
(AY-AÖ) 01.10.2003