ANKARA - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that he could not find any word to express situation of little kids, students and mothers in hostage taking in North Ossetia.
Speaking to a private tv channel, Erdogan said that Russian President Vladimir Putin cancelled his visit to Turkey due hostage taking in North Ossetia, noting that Putin told him that he would visit Turkey as soon as possible during their phone conversation.
When reminded of statements of some officials who said that terrorist acts in Russia could have connection with al-Qaeda and radical Islam terrorist organizations, Erdogan said that terrorism could not have any connection with Islam.
Stressing that a platform of joint fight against international terrorism could not be formed yet, Erdogan said that countries should exchange intelligence between themselves against international terrorism.
Replying to a question on Russian security forces' attitude on hostage taking, Erdogan said, ''I find appropriate their attitude. Russian President's postponing of his visit to Turkey due to hostage taking is very important to boost morale and motivation.''
Erdogan said that they proposed that a platform of joint fight against international terrorism should be formed during the process of September 11th, noting, ''terrorism hits us. Terrorism hits us in Eastern and Southeastern regions. It also hits us in Iraq. Nearly 30 Turkish citizens became victims of terrorism in Iraq. Our citizens go there to earn money not to fight or for any other reason. They go there to support Iraqi people.''
Replying to a question on Justice and Development Party's (AK Party) visit to Israel and when reminded of allegations which said that the delegation paid a visit to Israel upon warning of the United States, Erdogan said, ''we did not receive any warning from anyone. Our government has not worked upon warning from anyone so far.''
Erdogan noted that AK Party delegation paid this visit upon invitation of Israel, adding that AK Party deputies visited both Israel and Palestine.
Stating that killings still continued in the region, he said, ''we said that Turkey should be a mediator. But, the United States first play a role of mediation there.''
Replying to another question, Erdogan said that the United States did not assume a serious attitude on fight against terrorist organization PKK/Kongra-Gel in Iraq, adding that they hoped that the United States would assume an attitude that Turkey expected the following period.
(EÖ-AY) 04.09.2004