WASHINGTON (AA) - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has indicated that, despite some circles who talk about opening a new page in relations, nothing has happened to old pages. ''Talking about a new page in relations is unnecessary. There is no problem that requires repair in our ties with the United States,'' stressed Erdogan.
Erdogan gave interviews to the Washington Post daily newspaper, CNN tv channel and American NPR radio. During his meetings, Erdogan mainly talked on Cyprus, PKK terrorist organization and Turkey's bid to join the European Union (EU).
Erdogan remarked that Turkey has fought against terror for many years. ''In the past few days, we have witnessed an increase in the amount of terrorist activities in south-east Turkey. I will ask President George W. Bush to assist Turkey in its security,'' told Erdogan.
Erdogan commented that Turkey will continue to do its homework to join the EU. ''However, it is meaningless to talk about what may happen in 10-15 years,'' noted Erdogan.
Answering a question on the March 1st decision of the Turkish parliament, Erdogan commented that the U.S. government promised Turkey a Qualified Industrial Zone. ''Yet, the U.S. Congress did not ratify such a decision of the American government,'' mentioned Erdogan.
In response to a question reminding U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's comments that the insurgents could not have been successful had Turkey permitted a northern front, Erdogan pointed out that ''we can not talk about possibilities. We can not know for sure what would have happened,'' stressed Erdogan.
Erdogan referred to anti-Semitism as crime against humanity. In regard to comments that there is an anti-American sentiment in Turkey, Erdogan indicated that the people of Turkey are not anti-American.
Erdogan remarked that he will ask the American government to help lift the international isolation of Turkish Cypriots and start direct flights to and from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
When reminded about a poem he read and the following jail term he received, Erdogan said that things in Turkey have changed since then.
2005-06-08