ANKARA (AA) - Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul has conveyed Turkey's concerns over the Kurdish groups' attempts to change the demographics in Kirkuk to U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage.
During their meeting in Ankara, Gul and Armitage had a chance to talk about issues such as Iraq, Afghanistan and Cyprus.
''The U.S. is pleased with the European Union's decision on December 17 that gave Turkey a date for the beginning of entry talks,'' said Armitage.
Gul informed Armitage that Turkey is doing all it can to assist the realization of a successful national election in Iraq. ''We have talked with all the groups in Iraq to help the election process in Iraq,'' told Gul. Gul added that Turkey is uncomfortable with Kurdish attempts to change the demographics in Kirkuk. Armitage assured Gul that the U.S. has held and will continue to hold talks with Kurdish leaders Mesud Barzani and Jalal Talabani on the issue of Kirkuk.
In reference to Afghanistan, Armitage expressed his government's content with Turkey's upcoming command of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. Gul is expected to visit Afghanistan for the transfer of command ceremony which will take place later in 2005.
During the talks, Gul reiterated Turkey's stand vis-a-vis Cyprus and informed Armitage about Turkey's expectations on Cyprus. ''We wish to see an end to the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriots and call on the U.S. to help lift the isolation of the Turks in Cyprus,'' told Gul.
Meanwhile, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State in charge of the Middle East William Burns and Turkish Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Nabi Sensoy also held talks in Ankara. Burns and Sensoy discussed the issue of the terrorist organization PKK/KADEK. ''Turkey expects more solid steps taken by the U.S. against PKK/KADEK,'' said Sensoy.
(ES-A֩
2005-01-03