U.S. Embassy In Ankara: U.S. Will Continue To Work With Turkish And Iraqi Authorities To Eliminate P.K.K. Threat From Iraq

ANKARA - The United States stated on Monday, ''we are actively engaged in efforts to restrict the activities of the PKK,'' noting, ''the United States will continue to work with Turkish and Iraqi authorities to eliminate the PKK threat from Iraq.''
Releasing a written statement, U.S. Embassy in Ankara said, ''Turkey has had no better friend than the United States over the past 20 years in struggle against the PKK,'' reminding, ''the United States has long considered the PKK and its successor organizations as terrorist.''
''The U.S. officials have never negotiated with the PKK, nor has the United States provided any kind of support to the terrorist organization. We are actively engaged in efforts to restrict the activities of the PKK through a variety of diplomatic, intelligence and financial measures,'' said the statement.
The statement noted, ''Paul Bremer, the former civilian administrator in Iraq, stated publicly that members of the PKK are subject to arrest by U.S. forces in Iraq. The United States will continue to work with Turkish and Iraqi authorities to eliminate the PKK threat from Iraq.''
''Several Turkish commentators have interpreted the visit by an official from the American Consulate in Adana, Ms. Alicia Allison, to the mayor of Diyarbakir as a show of support for the PKK/Kongra-Gel. Nothing could be further from the truth. Visits by U.S. officials to political representatives elected by voters are a normal part of our diplomatic activities in turkey and other countries around the world. During all of her contacts in Diyarbakir, Ms. Allison stated clearly that the PKK is a terrorist organization and should be treated as such. She urged all of her interlocutors to take a clear stand against PKK terrorism, and to refrain from actions that could be interpreted as providing support to the PKK,'' said the statement.
(GC-ULG) 16.08.2004