Erdogan: Bush Has Assured Us That Any Speculation Over Territorial Integrity Of Iraq Would Not Be Allowed

WASHINGTON D.C. - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday, ''U.S. President George W. Bush has assured us that any speculation over the territorial integrity of Iraq would not be allowed.''
Addressing journalists in front of the White House following his meeting and luncheon with President Bush, Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''during our meeting, we determined that there has been a common will between Turkey and the United States about the issues of Iraq and Cyprus. We also exchanged views on recent developments in the Middle East.''
''We stressed that a Middle East in which freedoms are shared and peace is dominant, will have a significant place in the globalizing world of the 21st century,'' he said.
Noting that both Turkey and the United States had been supporting the good-will mission of United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, Prime Minister Erdogan told reporters, ''I want to reiterate that we are in favor of continuation of efforts to find a solution to the Cyprus issue on the basis of the plan of United Nations Secretary General Annan. I want to stress once again that the Turkish side will be one step ahead of the Greek Cypriot side. Resumption of negotiation process in the possible shortest period of time will help our efforts to come to a conclusion till May 1, 2004. Turkey is determined to do its utmost as a guarantor state.''
Prime Minister Erdogan expressed his satisfaction over the United States' announcing the PKK/KADEK with its third name Kongragel as a terrorist organization.
''U.S. President Bush has assured us that any speculation over the territorial integrity of Iraq would not be allowed. There has been a sound political will between Turkey and the United States to this end. We have affirmed that we will maintain our efforts by forming a joint platform to fight against terrorism,'' he emphasized.
When asked, ''President Bush will attend the NATO Summit to be held in Turkey this year. Will be an official visit?'' Prime Minister Erdogan said that President Bush would give the necessary directives.
Erdogan also held talks with U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney.
(UK) 28.01.2004