WASHINGTON D.C. - Justice Minister Cemil Cicek said Friday that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan would visit Washington at the beginning of 2004, and thus Turkish-U.S. relations would be discussed in the highest level.
Cicek, currently in the United States as the guest of U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, gave information to Turkish journalists about his visits.
Stating that Turkish-U.S. relations were discussed during his visits in Washington, Cicek said, ''I hope that our Prime Minister will visit this country at the beginning of 2004. Thus, problems will be discussed in the highest level, and a political determination will be revealed.''
Cicek said the Turkish side conveyed its views to further improve Turkish-U.S. relations prior to the visit of Erdogan, adding that, ''I am extremely pleased over the replies I have taken. We return to Turkey with a positive impression.''
Replying to a question when this visit would take place, Cicek said, ''the invitation will be sent formally.''
Cicek said the visit would take place soon, stressing that the two sides should adjust time.
Cicek said Turkish-U.S. relations were at a better point following a short-term crisis with U.S., noting that 2004 would be important for relations.
Cicek said, ''I believe that 2004 will be year of Turkey in the world,'' stating that visit of PM Erdogan to Washington and NATO summit that would take place in June in Istanbul are examples of this.''
Cicek said there were currently six Turkish citizens in Guantanamo, noting that decision for extradition was given for two of them. He said those two Turkish citizens would be extradited to Turkey soon.
Cicek said examination for the other four Turkish citizens continued, and that there could be a delay in extradition as there were plane flights to Guantanamo only once a month.
Upon a question about the criminals whose extradition was wanted, Cicek said that ''positive decisions were taken about some of them. They will send them to Turkey. The position of remaining ones will be examined and the thing that was possible would be done. In fact, there is an agreement between us about this issue. The thing that matters is to implement the provisions of the agreement and to complete the proceedings as soon as possible.''
Cicek also referred to the decision of the U.S. appeal court which ruled out 'those Americans who give material assistance to some terrorist organizations without knowing that they are terrorists, should not be tried.'
Cicek said that he requested U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft to use his appeal authority against this ruling and Ashcroft told him that he would examine that demand. Cicek said ''ours is a demand, its assessment is a matter of time.''
Upon a question about reassociation law, which is also known as 'return to home' Cicek said that two months left regarding the association law which was valid for six months.
''While adopting the law, we exchanged views with our neighbours and the U.S. We launch efforts not only to eradicate this terrorist organization, but all terrorist organizations from the Middle East. Unfortunately our expectation was not met to date, we certainly tried to voice it during the negotiations. There are very important discussions and contacts about this issue. The U.S. explained their resolution about this issue. I hope there will be positive developments in the coming days,'' Cicek said.
Cicek said that he also met with Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Rubert Mueller during his contacts in the U.S. Noting that he accepted the definition of terrorism which was made by Mueller, Cicek said that ''we hope everybody can accept that. There is no conflict between the U.S. and Turkey regarding the definition of terrorism when the definition of Mueller is taken as the basis. This has to be accepted by all countries.'' Cicek said that cooperation between only Turkey and the U.S. would not be enough, adding that the sources of terrorism had to be ended and cooperation should be made with as much country as possible to monitor their financial sources.
When asked about the attitude of Turkey towards Iran and Syria which were in the U.S. list of countries extending support to terrorism, Cicek said that ''we don't prepare a list of terrorist countries. The U.S. very well knows what we mean by saying terrorism and with which organizations we fight. There were some difficulties in the past, but recently they have positive efforts and we are pleased.''
Cicek said that terrorism would cause trouble for those who want to take advantage from terrorism, adding ''nobody should develop policies by expecting help from terrorism, because who do that will suffer themselves in the end. Today we expect help from everybody.''
Cicek is expected to leave for Turkey today.
(AY-Öª-AÖ) 05.12.2003