Bagis: There are some circles which claim that there is an anti-American sentiment in Turkey

BURSA - Egemen Bagis, chairman of Turkey-U.S. Parliamentary Friendship Group and a deputy from Justice and Development Party (AKP), stated that there are some circles which claim that there is an anti-American sentiment in Turkey.
``Once the U.S. attitude towards the terrorist PKK organization changes, such a sentiment will reach a new dimension,`` said Bagis.
Bagis attended a luncheon meeting of the Turkish Young Businessmen`s Association (TUGIAD) Branch in Bursa.
``Turkey and the United States have a past of 200 years. 60 years out of the total has been spent as strategic partners. The two allies have cooperated in Kosovo, Afghanistan, Somalia and the Middle East,`` remarked Bagis.
``Turkey and the United States share the same notions on the protection of the territorial integrity of Iraq. However, Turkey has not received the right response to the situation in north of Iraq. In the past, United States was the country that recognized the PKK as a terrorist organization. The U.S. decision came at a time when no European country regarded the PKK as a terrorist group,`` stressed Bagis.
According to Bagis, the freedom of the PKK terrorists in north of Iraq hurts the Turks each and every day. ``Furthermore, the changes in demographic structure is a matter of concern. In the past few weeks, tri-partite meetings between Turkey, United States and Iraq began, which surely is a matter of positive development.``
Reminded by a journalist about the recent comments made by American correspondents against Turkey, Bagis expressed that this situation is identical to a chain-accident. ``Action...reaction. Turkish media says one thing and the U.S. media writes in return. My personal opinion is that once the U.S. administration reacts to the PKK presence in north of Iraq, we will cool-off tension between Turkey and the United States. Countries like Iran and Syria were formerly accused by the Turkish government for providing shelter to PKK terrorists. Today, such neighbors are cooperating with Turkey and are returning PKK terrorists captured in their respective countries.``
Bagis added that a change in the U.S. administration`s stance on the situation in north of Iraq will break the anti-American sentiment in Turkey. ``Turkish-American ties are so historical and comprehensive that it would be unfair to base our relations on a single issue of PKK or Iraq. I believe that our media takes issues more seriously than its counterparts in the States. There are virtually hundreds of newspapers and editors in America. One of the American journalists writes, after encouragement by certain circles, and tries to establish the agenda for that day. Such articles get coverage on the first page of certain Turkish newspapers. We must not take these reports or editorials as too seriously.``
Istanbul deputy Bagis told that Turkey`s European Union (EU) dream will put an end to all conspiracy theories. ``You may think that it is a joke but often we get two questions from foreign investors in Turkey: Could a military coup take place again in Turkey? Could Islamic Law enter Turkish politics? It is my firm opinion that the EU will remove all these suspicions in Turkey. The EU is a development that guarantees Turkey`s stability. For this reason, the EU is on top of our agenda,`` noted Bagis.
Bagis further indicated that, prior to November 3rd, 2002, Turkey did not have good relations with its neighbors. ``In the past several years, relations with Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Georgia, Iran and Iraq have improved. The ties with Armenia are not at the level where they should be due to Armenian insistence on some borders.``
Bagis commented that Armenians once again have historical allegations. ``If the Armenians cool-off tensions between Turkey and Armenia, they will surely receive a positive response. In 2004, we have permitted flights of the Armenian national airlines to Istanbul four times a week. We have given a hand of friendship to the Armenians. According to data I have received, there are over 30,000 Armenian citizens working in Turkey. These Armenians are not Turkish citizens but have come to Turkey for various reasons. About half of these Armenians look after our children as baby sitters. This incident itself shows that we have no hatred of any one but love for all. We share common cultural values.``