Gul: We Have Always Been The Protector Of Kurds Throughout The History

ANKARA - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Wednesday, ''Turkey has always been the protector of Kurds throughout the history. We will continue to protect them in the future.''
Speaking at a program on the private CNN Turk TV Channel, Gul said, ''Turkish and Kurdish people have always lived together throughout the history. From time to time, some mistakes are being made. However, this togetherness should continue in the long-term.''
''It was not Germany or Europe who protected Kurds in the last 15 years. Turkey has always been the protector of Kurds throughout the history. We will continue to protect them in the future. We call on leaders in northern Iraq to be careful in their statements, not to hurt Turkey and not to make distressing statements. Because, such statements will have a long-term cost,'' he noted.
Stressing that the United States had to fight against the terrorist organization of PKK/KADEK in northern Iraq and take all necessary measures, Gul said, ''otherwise, determination of the United States in fight against terrorism will be overshadowed. In that case, the United States will not be able to call on other countries to cooperate in fight against international terrorism.''
Upon a question about recent clash between U.S. soldiers and a group of members of the terrorist organization of PKK in northern Iraq, Gul said that he did not consider the event the beginning of an operation.
Responding another question about KADEK's decision to annul itself, Gul said, ''terrorist organizations always do such changes. They are trying to survive by changing their names continuously.''
Referring to the Cyprus question, Gul said, ''although it was told that the Cyprus question was not a political pre-condition, inclusion of expressions about the Cyprus question in the Continuing Enlargement Strategy Paper, which was released by the European Union (EU) Commission last week, was not correct. Some certain people leaked these expressions in the paper intentionally. I am quite sure that the paragraph in the paper would have been totally different, if it had not been leaked. However, inclusion of such expressions will not affect Turkey's efforts in its EU membership process. We will continue to extend all efforts to reach a reasonable solution under bilateral compromise. However, they should also expend similar efforts, and the EU should put pressure on the Greek Cypriot side.''
Upon a question about Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's scheduled visit to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Gul said, ''Prime Minister Erdogan will meet with everyone including leaders of the opposing political parties. A solution to the Cyprus question will create a very positive atmosphere for opening of accession talks between Turkey and the EU.''
''Turkey will remove all its deficiencies in its EU membership process. The government is determined to this end. This is the most critical period of our history. We have to well-assess all opportunities in this critical period. The EU membership is a great target that cannot be compared with unimportant issues such as Islamic-style headscarf and the Higher Education Board (YOK). Objectively, we have ever been this much close to the EU membership,'' he added.
(UK) 12.11.2003