WASHINGTON D.C. - Turkey's General Staff Deputy Chief Gen. Ilker Basbug has said that the United States had not yet taken concrete measures for eradication of terrorist organization PKK in north of Iraq, adding, ''now, we want the United States to take concrete steps. We think that the United States should consolidate its political determination with concrete and persuasive measures.''
Holding a news conference for Turkish reporters at the Turkish Embassy in Washington D.C. after completing his meetings in the United States, Basbug said that he had expressed Turkey's concerns and opinions regarding matters related to Iraq in his meetings in the United States.
Recalling that meetings on issue of terrorist organization PKK had been continuing for a long time and there was a compromise with the United States on eradication of PKK in north of Iraq, Basbug said, ''the only matter we have not solved yet is that we can't say the United States took concrete measures with this objective. Now we expect them to take concrete steps. We think that the United States should consolidate its political determination with concrete and persuasive measures.''
Noting that also U.S. Joint Staffs Chief Gen. Richard Myers had similar opinion in principle and a strategic work in sub-level on the issue had been under way at the Pentagon, Basbug said, ''time is very important. We wanted concrete steps to be taken within acceptable time frame, but it is impossible to set a definite time period and I can't comment on the kind of steps at the moment. As Turkey, we have shown great patience so far and we have to show a little more understanding.''
Stressing importance of persuasiveness over the opposite party in fight against terrorism, Basbug said that determination against the PKK had been displayed seriously especially after 1993, adding, ''we couldn't completely get the result we expected from the reassociation law. We asked the United States to display its determination against the PKK in the past. If it had happened, we could have gotten better results. PKK was worried about what would happen when the war began, but they felt much comfortable when they saw nothing happened.''
When a reporter asked whether Turkey wanted steps to be taken before authorities in Iraq would be handed over to Iraqis in June, Basbug noted that there were nearly 4-5 thousand armed PKK terrorists in north of Iraq, adding, ''we think it beneficial to have those steps taken before July 1.''
Replying to a question about the Mahmur camp where also Turkish citizens were settled in north of Iraq, Basbug said, ''we can consider Mahmur as a concrete step. It is a big camp. People in there are our citizens. However, there are nearly 150-200 terrorists who de facto administer the place. We say, 'hand over these terrorists'. If it happens, it will be a very good, concrete step.''
Asked whether terrorist Osman Ocalan was seized by Americans, Basbug said, ''there is no information on this issue. We expect them to hand over him to us the day after they seize him. PKK should be eradicated. PKK gave damage mostly to our citizens of Kurdish origin. Our indispensable target is eradication of the PKK and we are insistent and determined on it.''
Replying to another question whether they had received any request from the United States for withdrawal of Turkish troops from north of Iraq, Basbug said, ''no, withdrawal of our soldiers was not discussed. The United States knows about our position and determination. Our existence there is related to existence of terrorist organization PKK. There won't be any reason for our existence there if PKK is eradicated. Actually, Americans know that we are very sensitive to this issue. So withdrawal of our troops is not discussed.''
''GREATER MIDDLE EAST INITIATIVE WAS TAKEN UP DURING MY TALKS WITH U.S. OFFICIALS''
General Basbug said, ''we believe that it is necessary to eradicate factors causing terrorism, and to diminish the acts of terrorism to the minimum level and to make fight against terrorism more influential. The Greater Middle East Initiative will be beneficial to this end. On numerous occasions, we have been telling since 1980's that only the military measures would not be adequate in fight against terrorism. Besides military measures, educational, economic, social and cultural factor should also exist. This initiative should be transparent. It should not be coercive.''
''For success of the initiative, problems in Iraq should be resolved first. If Israeli-Palestinian dispute is taken seriously, prospect of the initiative will increase,'' he said.
General Basbug noted, ''some circles are talking about Turkey's undertaking a model role under the Greater Middle East Initiative. In fact, Turkey does not have any claim to be a model. Republic of Turkey has been a secular, democratic and social state of law since its foundation in 1923. There are some allegation about model of an Islamic state. Secularism and moderate Islamic state cannot co-exist. We have been explaining that Turkey was secular, democratic and social state of law. We think that other views are not appropriate. Our counterparts have well-understood it.''
TURKEY'S DEMANDS FOR CHANGES IN ANNAN PLAN WILL BE REFLECTED IN NEGOTIATIONS
Basbug said that he and U.S. officials did not totally focus on Cyprus issue, but this issue also took place in their meetings.
''Cyprus negotiations continue in Lefkosa till March 22. Turkey's demands for changes in Annan plan are obvious. We have already informed the United States and concerned parties about our demands. We will be very pleased if our demands are met in the end. I hope these will be reflected in negotiations,'' Basbug said.
Replying a question on what Turkey would think if its demands were not included in the final Annan plan at the desired level, Basbug said, ''Turkey has laid down its proposals for changes. We will see what the result will be. The state will make the evaluation when this day comes.''
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Greek Cypriot side started Cyprus negotiations on February 19 to find a fair and lasting solution to Cyprus issue till May 1 on the basis of Annan plan.
If sides fail to reach a solution till March 22, a quartet conference will take place among TRNC, Greek Cypriot side, Turkey and Greece.
U.N. Secretary General Annan will fill in the blanks left in the plan if participants can't reach any compromise in quartet meetings, and the text to be formed at the end of all these initiatives will be voted in referenda to be held synchronously in the Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides on April 20.
(AA) 19.03.2004