Erdogan: Bush Has Charged Powell To Deal With The Cyprus Issue

WASHINGTON D.C. - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday, ''U.S. President George W. Bush has charged U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell to deal with the Cyprus issue.''
Holding a press conference at the Ritz Carlton Hotel following his meeting with the U.S. President Bush at the White House, Prime Minister Erdogan said that the issues of Cyprus and Iraq had topped agenda of the meeting.
Noting that they had an important and beneficial meeting with President Bush, Prime Minister Erdogan expressed his satisfaction over results of the meeting.
''During the meeting, I had the opportunity of observing that Turkey and the United States had been acting in a harmonious strategic vision. Our countries have common values in the Transatlantic and in the Middle East. These values affect our hopes for the future positively. It is the confirmation of our countries' determination to act together. We will further strengthen our co-operation on the issue of Iraq. We will continue expending efforts for the future of Iraq. Meanwhile, we are determined to eradicate terrorism,'' he stressed.
Noting that Turkey would continue extending support to the good-will mission of United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, Prime Minister Erdogan said that they would continue to take steps on the basis of the plan of United Nations Secretary General Annan with the same seriousness.
''During the meeting, I said that the Turkish side will be one step ahead of the Greek Cypriot side. We have reached a consensus of opinion to come to a conclusion till May 1, 2004,'' he said.
Prime Minister Erdogan said that the issue of Kirkuk was not brought onto agenda of the meeting.
''I told President Bush that we are not positive about request of Kurdish groups in Iraq for formation of a federation,'' he said.
Upon a question about the steps to be taken by the United States on the Cyprus issue, Prime Minister Erdogan told reporters, ''President Bush has charged U.S. Secretary of State Powell to deal with the Cyprus issue. Mr. Powell will hold a meeting with United Nations Secretary General Annan tomorrow. President Bush is in favor of resumption of negotiation process as soon as possible.''
When asked whether or not Powell would act as mediator, Prime Minister Erdogan said that United Nations Secretary General Annan would decide it.
Upon another question, Prime Minister Erdogan said that the United States had included the Kongragel, the continuation of the PKK/KADEK, in its list of terrorist organizations.
''We will not make any concessions about the terrorist organization of PKK. We have been assured that Turkey and the United States would carry out joint works to eradicate the terrorist organization,'' he said.
Responding another question, Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''during the meeting, I stressed that Turkey is the model of co-existence of Islamic culture and democratic culture.''
Upon a question about Turkey's role in the rebuilding process of Iraq, Prime Minister Erdogan said that the process had already begun.
''The process will accelerate. This issue was taken up in detail during our meeting with U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney,'' he said.
When asked, ''Turkmens in northern Iraq are not represented in the Governing Council sufficiently. Did you discuss the issue at the meeting?'' Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''such issues have already been taken up by officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The issue was not included in agenda of the meeting.''
Upon another question, Prime Minister Erdogan said that Turkey had done its utmost on the Cyprus issue and underlined importance of resumption of the negotiation process.
Stressing that the United States would maintain its economic support to Turkey, Prime Minister Erdogan said that the issue of qualified industrial zones were discussed at the meeting.
''President Bush reiterated the United States' support to Turkey's European Union (EU) membership process,'' he told reporters.
Upon another question about Turkey's EU process, Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''Turkey has very good relations with the EU-member countries. These countries are positive about Turkey's EU membership process. The United States has also been supporting our EU membership.''
Pointing out that Israeli-Palestinian dispute was also taken up during the meeting, Prime Minister Erdogan told reporters that the United States should play an influential role in efforts to find a solution.
Upon another question about the Cyprus issue, Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''we wish that United Nations Secretary General Annan could carry out the process. However, it is impossible due to his intense program. Therefore, a well-experienced mediator is required. Mr. Powell will meet with United Nations Secretary General Annan tomorrow.''
(UK) 28.01.2004