WASHINGTON D.C. - U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage has said that the civilized societies including Turkey and the United States had come closer to each other following terrorist attacks in Istanbul which claimed 52 lives in the aggregate. He warned that new attacks could be staged.
In an interview with the NTV Channel on Saturday, Armitage replied a question whether or not Turkish-American relations could be affected negatively by recent bombings, saying, ''no. On the contrary, Turkey and the United States have come closer to each other following the horrifying tragedy in Istanbul. There is an almost blood tie between our countries. What happened in the United States on September 11, 2001, occurred in Turkey twice in a week. All these developments have brought us closer.''
Armitage, the most authorized name in the U.S. State Department after U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, said that the modern world had been under attack of terrorism, stressing that these attacks could be considered a warning that fight against terrorism would take a long time.
Upon a question about reasons of al-Qaida terrorist network's choosing Turkey to stage recent attacks, Armitage noted that al-Qaida had always attacked on the civilized societies, and that it attacked Turkey since it was a country of freedoms and democracy respecting human life.
Armitage noted that he was praying to the God to prevent Turkey from experiencing a similar tragedy once again.
Noting that they had sent warnings to U.S. embassies all over the world in this critical period, Armitage said that they had to be act carefully since terrorists could attempt to strike again.
When reminded that the United States had offered assistance to Turkey, Armitage said that there had been a good-working co-operation between Turkey and the United States in exchange of intelligence and police information.
Stressing that they were ready to extend all kinds of assistance to Turkey, Armitage said that they would exchange all kinds of intelligence with Turkish authorities.
Expressing profound sorrow over loss of Turkish and British citizens in the bombings, Armitage said that they had commiserated with Both Turkish and British people who lost their beloved ones in the attacks.
Noting that he was quite sure that Turkey would be on alert against any possibility of attack, Armitage said that recent bombings had been brought onto agenda of his meeting with Turkish General Staff Deputy Chief General Ilker Basbug.
He expressed his confidence that Turkish authorities would do everything in their power to bring all those responsible to justice.
When reminded that General Basbug said earlier that the United States was planning an action against the terrorist organization of PKK/KADEK in northern Iraq, Armitage stressed that PKK/KADEK was a terrorist organization and it could not be allowed to survive.
Noting that they would maintain a careful coordination with Turkish authorities, Armitage refrain from giving information about timing of their plans.
(UK) 22.11.2003