U.S. Ambassador Does Not Expect U.S. To Stage A Military Operation Against Terrorist P.K.K. In The Near Future

ANKARA - U.S. Ambassador in Ankara Eric Edelman said on Friday that he did not expect U.S. to stage a military operation against terrorist PKK organization in the near future.
Edelman told reporters that the process regarding an agreement between Turkey and U.S. for elimination of the terrorist organization in north of Iraq continued and that there was not a change in this respect.
Edelman said view of the United States that Iraq should not be the base of terrorist groups and that it should not pose threat to neighboring countries particularly Turkey, did not change.
Reminding the journalists that important steps were taken in this direction, Edelman said U.S. included PKK and terrorist groups which are continuation of PKK into its list of terrorist organizations.
Edelman said they were sensitive toward acts of terrorism, and that consultations continued with the Turkish and European officials in this respect.
Stating that the administration would be transferred to interim government in Iraq at the end of this month, Edelman said their units in the region could have some difficulties in providing security.
Asked about the developments regarding former deputies of former Democracy Party (DEP), Edelman said they considered this a part of ongoing reforms in Turkey's EU process and that it was a positive decision.
Edelman said the United States considered PKK and others as terrorist organizations and that they would not negotiate with any terrorist group.
Edelman said establishment of new military base in Turkey was out of question.
Evaluating the developments about Cyprus, Edelman recalled the views of the United States regarding ending of isolation of TRNC, and pointed out that the U.S. officials started to meet with the TRNC officials in various platforms.
Edelman said he did not expect the package which the United States would prepare regarding lifting of embargoes on TRNC to become definite before visit of U.S. President George W. Bush.
Giving information about Bush's meetings in Ankara, Edelman said Bush would be in Ankara on June 26, and proceed to Istanbul on June 27 to join NATO summit.
Edelman said Bush would meet with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara.
Bilateral relations, Cyprus, NATO summit, Afghanistan, Iraq, Turkey's EU processes, cooperation in fight against terrorism and many other issues could be discussed at the meetings, Edelman stressed.
(AY-AÖ) 18.06.2004