ANKARA - Turkey expects concrete steps from the United States in fight against terrorist organization PKK/KADEK.
The action plan on elimination terrorist organization PKK/KADEK from north of Iraq on which compromise was reached by Turkey and the United States covers methods like staging military operations and cutting financial sources of the organization.
U.S. sources who evaluated the second round of talks held in the Foreign Ministry on Thursday drew attention that the U.S. administration added PKK/KADEK to the list of terrorist organizations including 36 organizations.
The sources pointed out that inclusion of PKK/KADEK in the list was a sign of importance attached to the issue.
A high-level U.S. official reiterated that there was no place for PKK/KADEK in Iraq and said that the United States was determined to eliminate the organization from the region.
According to the same source, the action plan covers methods like using diplomatic means, cutting financial sources of the organizations, staging military operations and activating institutions which will enable implementation of laws.
U.S. official did not exclude the alternative to carry out military operations together with Turkish army but refrained from giving an open message.
The same source did not give a clear schedule of elimination of PKK/KADEK from the north of Iraq.
Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Nabi Sensoy, who chaired Turkish delegation in today's talks, said that none of options was out of their agenda when asked if the action plan had an operational dimension.
Asked if Turkey would make a military contribution, Sensoy said that they told that every kind of contribution could be possible within the framework they mentioned.
When asked if a written commitment was demanded from the United States, Sensoy said that they did not exclude any alternative in elimination of the terrorist organization.
Sources said that Turkey expects concrete steps from the United States in fight against terrorism.
Ankara, which hasn't been satisfied with current steps, wants to get a result as soon as possible while Washington wants to solve the issue in time.
SENSOY: ''NONE OF THE ALTERNATIVES IS OUTSIDE THE AGENDA REGARDING ELIMINATION OF TERRORIST PKK/KADEK ORGANIZATION''
Turkey and United States agreed on an action plan aiming at elimination of terrorist PKK/KADEK organization from north of Iraq.
Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Nabi Sensoy and J. Cofer Black, Coordinator for Counterterrorism for the U.S. Department of State made a statement after talks that lasted for 3.5 hours.
Recalling that today's talks were continuation of the talks that had taken place again in Ankara on September 12, Sensoy said they discussed elimination of PKK/KADEK terrorist organization from north of Iraq with U.S. officials.
Sensoy stated that Turkey and the United States were the two countries fulfilling their international responsibilities, adding that the two countries always had cooperation in this issue.
Recalling that U.S. also announced KADEK as terrorist organization, which is a continuation of terrorist organization PKK, Sensoy said they discussed in details what could be done in the process initiated regarding eradication of terrorist organization from north of Iraq.
Sensoy said Turkey and U.S. agreed on an action plan, adding that related ministries and authorities would carry out necessary studies in this respect.
When asked whether or not talks with the United States would continue, Sensoy said they could re-convene if necessary, adding they would be in contact.
Replying to a question whether or not a written commitment was requested from United States, Sensoy said none of the alternatives was outside the agenda regarding eradication of terrorist PKK/KADEK.
When asked whether or not action plan has an operational dimension, Sensoy said none of the options were out of agenda.
Replying a question if they would wait for the six-months period, envisaged for Reassociation Law, to expire for the plan, Sensoy said necessary information was given about this law, and that they wanted number of people, who would benefit from this law, to increase.
When a journalist asked whether or not Turkey would have a military contribution to the action plan pertaining to eradication of terrorist organization, Sensoy said, ''we said all kinds of contribution could be in question within the framework we have drawn.''
Black in his part said the talks were very productive, stating that cooperation between Turkey and the United States, particularly in fight against terrorism, was long lasting.
Black said Turkey was a close ally in worldwide fight against terrorism, stating that today's talks were focused on PKK/KADEK, and that they also discussed other issues in fight against terrorism.
Black said PKK/KADEK was a terrorist organization and that there was no place for this organization in Iraq. Black said U.S. President George Bush announced policy of U.S. government toward elimination of this threat.
Black said they applied to methods like diplomacy and cutting of financial links to remove this threat.
(AY-BRC) 02.10.2003