ANKARA - Turkish State Minister & Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek said Sunday that whatever necessary would be done regarding cross-border military operations against terrorist organization PKK, adding that its timing and terms would be set by Turkish Armed Forces.
"If the goal is attained in one operation, then only one operation is enough. But if ten operations are needed, ten operations will be launched," Cicek told an interview on Kanal 24.
Recalling that recent terrorist attacks were staged from north of Iraq, Cicek said, "it is very clear that they (PKK terrorists) are based there."
"They are trained there, they supply ammunition there, and then cross Turkish border and stage attacks," he said, stating that the government is resolute to eradicate terrorism.
"While fighting terrorism, first you have to be resolute and second you have to be patient," he said. "I think this (patience) is the hardest one because Turkish people feel deep sorrow. We, as people governing the country, have to calculate all developments today and in the future. Government can not be emotional."
When reminded of a motion, allowing U.S. troop to use Turkish territory and deployment of Turkish troops in Iraq, which was rejected by Turkish lawmakers on March 1st, 2003, Cicek lashed out at the opposition and said, "opposition parties should change their mentality."
Cicek said, "terrorism is a very complicated issue. We are not dealing with only 3-5 thousand people but a bloody organization that has links with international powers and became a part of international policies."
"Military operation is an important element in solution of the problem but this is not enough," Cicek said, noting that, "terrorist organization is directly our target. We have no intentions on Iraq`s riches."
Cicek said Turkish government wanted terrorist camps to be shut down and terrorists to be handed over to Turkey.
Cicek said parliament approved the motion and authorized General Staff for the cross-border operation. "General Staff will decide for the time of the operation and is in continuous cooperation with the government," he noted.
"Terrorism is not a trouble that can be overcome with only one measure and operation, as it is used as a part of international policy. There are different terrorist organizations under different names in many regions of the world. This organization has the most foreign support," Cicek said.
"It is not enough to accept this organization as a terrorist organization. Requirements of it (labeling PKK as a terrorist organization) should be fulfilled. Roj TV, broadcasting from Denmark is an example to this. Some people are still not extradited to Turkey and companies of them were not closed," he noted and underscored international cooperation in fight against terrorism.
Cicek also said both Democratic Society Party (DTP) itself and PKK want the party to be shut down because this will serve their interests and because democratic system cornered them.
He said, "they started to lose base in the Southeast. Their mayor does not work for years. Although they were elected to give service, they try to act as spokesperson of the terrorist organization."
Asked about the action plans of the government to prevent terrorism, Cicek said they did their best to revive Southeastern Anatolia (GAP) Project. He said this project was delayed because of terrorism.