WASHINGTON D.C. - Murat Mercan, the deputy chairman of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), said on Thursday that Turkey-the United States relations were not bad as perceived by public opinion, adding that both parties had the necessary will to improve the bilateral relations.
Holding a news conference after attending a panel discussion at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), Mercan said that he had held a series of talks with U.S. State Department and National Security Council officials.
''Turkey-the United States relations are not that bad as perceived by public opinion or as reflected in the media. Both parties have the necessary will to improve their bilateral relations. I believe that if we can correct some misunderstandings, our relations will be better,'' he said.
Mercan told reporters that he did not get any impression that the United States would recognize the so-called Armenian genocide this year.
''Any deterioration in our relations will be beneficial neither for Turkey nor for the United States. Those who take advantage from it, are persons or countries having negative feelings against Turkey. Anti-Americanism in Turkey is not a rooted tendency, on the contrary, it is cyclical,'' he said.
Noting that exaggerated reports both in Turkish and American press had a great part in such misunderstandings, Mercan kept on saying, ''the United States could improve its image in Turkey by taking more strict measures against the terrorist organization of PKK, opening a second border gate in Iraq and taking steps to put an end to international isolation of Turkish Cypriots. Another area of cooperation between Turkey and the United States will be the Caucasus. I believe that Turkey can play a momentous role in efforts to provide democracy in the region.''
-''ARINC COULD COME TO UNITED STATES IN MAY''-
Upon a question about Turkish Parliamentary Human Rights Inquiry Commission Chairman Mehmet Elkatmis' describing the operation of the U.S. forces in Fallujah city of Iraq as a ''genocide'', Mercan said, ''it was an unfortunate statement. Elkatmis tried to correct his mistake. We all should be careful while using some certain words.''
Mercan said that Turkish Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc was planning to pay a visit to the United States in May.
Upon a question, Mercan said that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan could come to California in May to attend the graduate ceremony of his daughter.
Mercan said that Turkey was ''extremely uneasy'' about anti-Semitic statements.
Replying to another question, Mercan said that if the United Nations Security Council decided to impose sanctions on Iran because of its possible nuclear activities, Turkey would abide by the decision.
Denying news reports claiming that the United States was planning to keep the level of its mission in Turkey as the third man for a long time after resignation of U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Eric Edelman in June, Mercan said, ''these are baseless claims. During my talks with U.S. National Security Council officials, they told me that the second man would be sent immediately, and the new ambassador would be appointed soon.''