Basbug: Turkish People Expect The United States To Take A Concrete Step

WASHINGTON D.C. - Turkish General Staff Deputy Chief Gen. Ilker Basbug said on Monday, ''Turkey and the United States have common views about fight against terrorism. However, we do not stand at the same point about the terrorist organization of PKK. Turkish people expect the United States to take concrete steps to this end.''
Speaking at the annual meeting of the American-Turkish Council (ATC) in Washington D.C., Gen. Basbug said, ''Turkey has been extending full support to the United States' efforts to fight against terrorism. Of course, Turkey and the United States have common views about fight against terrorism. However, concrete and effective steps should be taken against PKK.''
Referring to recent developments in Iran, Gen. Basbug said, ''Iran has a theocratic regime. Of course, each country is free to choose its own regime. Besides the United States and the other countries, Turkey has also been monitoring nuclear activities of Iran. Turkey's Middle East policy envisages a region without nuclear weapons. We believe that the problem should be resolved peacefully. Turkey supports initiatives of Britain, Germany and France to this end. Iran with its nuclear weapons constitutes an important threat of security.''
Noting that Turkey had faced some problems with Syria in the past stemming from the terrorist organization of PKK, Gen. Basbug said, ''recently, Syria has assumed an attitude removing concerns of the United States in Iraq.''
''Democratization process in the Caucasus depends on Turkey-the United States cooperation,'' he stressed.
Recalling that the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline project was developed with the support of the United States, Gen. Basbug said that the project would create great political and economic opportunities.
Referring to Turkey's EU membership process, Gen. Basbug said that Turkey's full membership to the Union would create a more constructive and positive platform for Turkey-the United States relations.
Noting that Turkey had been supporting the United States' project for democratization in the Middle East, Gen. Basbug said that stability could be secured in the region only after Israeli-Palestinian dispute was resolved.
Stressing that Turkey attributed great importance to territorial and political integrity of Iraq, Gen. Basbug said, ''U.S. soldiers' departure from Iraq before security and stability is secured, can lead serious problems.''
Highlighting importance of the bilateral relations between Turkey and Israel, Gen. Basbug said that Turkish-Israeli cooperation contributed to the position of Israel in the region.
Gen. Basbug said that bilateral relations between Turkey and the United States were based on ''strategic partnership'', adding, ''we should admit the fact that there could be differences between our countries. Today, those relations are more important than ever. Therefore, our countries act more carefully.''