CHIEF OF STAFF BUYUKANIT: "TERRORISM HAS BECOME POLITICIZED"
Speaking yesterday at a symposium in Ankara on cutting off ideological and economic support to the terrorist PKK and its affiliates, Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit said, "Terrorism has become both politicized and legalized. While the politicization has been completed, only a part of the legalization has been done. They're in Parliament, only its armed dimension hasn't been legalized. They even submit proposals to change the Constitution." In related news, Deputy Chief of General Staff Gen. Ergin Saygun said that the attitude of certain countries, including some of Turkey's allies, is the most important factor allowing the terrorist PKK to find shelter. He added that challenges to anti-terrorism measures over democratization and human rights concerns also help the PKK. "European countries which have faced few terrorist attacks compared to Turkey are able to take harsh measures in their own countries, including shutting down political parties," he said. "But these countries' harsh measures have attracted no protests." /Turkiye/
US' WILSON: "THE PKK, NOT THE KURDS, IS TURKEY'S ENEMY"
Asked a question about American policy on Turkey's Kurds, US Ambassador to Ankara Ross Wilson yesterday posted a statement on the embassy's website. "The United States regards Turkey and the people of Turkey as friends and allies," said Wilson's statement. "President Bush stated on November 5 that the PKK is an enemy of the United States, of Iraq and of Turkey. We are focused on working with our Turkish allies and partners in Iraq against that violent, terrorist enemy. However, it should be made clear that the PKK is the enemy - not Turkey's ethnic Kurds, nor any other ethnic group in this diverse country. We look forward to working with Turkey and its citizens for peace, security and freedom in the region and in the world." /Cumhuriyet/
IN ANKARA, JORDAN'S KING ABDULLAH CONDEMNS PKK
On a one-day visit to Ankara yesterday, Jordan's King Abdullah held a press conference after his meetings with President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, where the Middle East peace process and recent developments in Iraq were discussed. Stating that he supports Turkey's fight against terrorism, he added, "I condemn the terrorist PKK's attacks. I support Iraq's territorial unity." /Milliyet/
IRANIAN COMMERCE MINISTER DUE IN ANKARA
Iranian Commerce Minister Masoud Mir-Kazemi is scheduled to visit Ankara tomorrow. Officials from the Iranian Embassy said that agreements to boost bilateral trade will be signed during Kazemi's visit. /Cumhuriyet/
US' HUGHES: "WE USED NEW PROGRAMS AND EXTRA FUNDS TO HELP WIN OVER TURKS"
Outgoing Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Karen Hughes said yesterday that the US had initiated new programs and allocated extra funds to win over the Turkish public. Saying that many public relation experts have been working hard in Turkey, Hughes added that Turkey is a key country for the US. /Star/