ANKARA - U.S. President George W. Bush said on Friday that the United States would work together with both Turkish and Iraqi governments to eliminate the terrorist organization PKK in northern part of Iraq.
In an interview with the private NTV Channel, President Bush highlighted importance of historical ties between Turkey and the United States.
Noting that joint fight against terrorist organization PKK, which sheltered in northern part of Iraq, would be high on agenda of his meetings in Turkey, President Bush said that the United States would work together with both Turkish and Iraqi governments to eliminate the terrorist organization PKK in northern part of Iraq.
Eulogizing efforts of the Turkish government led by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to find a fair and lasting solution to the Cyprus issue, President Bush said that they considered United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan`s Cyprus Plan an appropriate and good plan for all relevant sides.
Recalling that the Turkish Cypriot side supported the plan while the Greek Cypriots rejected it in the referenda on April 24, 2004, President Bush said that Prime Minister Erdogan and he should hold consultations on the process.
Referring to the ``Broader Middle East and North Africa Initiative``, President Bush described Turkey as a modern Muslim country, and said they supported reformists working to modernize their countries.
Touching on agenda of NATO Summit in Istanbul between June 28 and 29, President Bush said that he did not expect the Alliance to make a decision to send soldiers to Iraq.
Recalling that the Prime Minister of Iraq asked NATO to assist them in training of Iraqi security forces, President Bush added that it was the only solution.
(UK-AÖ) 25.06.2004