FM Gul: If Iraqi government doesn't act on PKK, we will
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul has said that if the Iraqi government remains actionless against the PKK, Turkey will be forced to spring to action. Gul's comments came in response to a series of questions asked by a British Financial Times reporter. Gul noted in the report as "dangerous" the fact that PKK terrorists in Northern Iraqi had taken over weapons and explosives previously belonging to the Iraqi military forces.
He stressed that Turkey would be using all of its international rights in this situation, saying "We of course understand the position the Iraqi government finds itself in currently. But if they cannot control their own lands, they should not shy away from cooperation with us. If they cannot stop this (the PKK) themselves, then we will have to spring to action. This much is very clear."
Gul: Yes, anti-Western stance in Turkey has increased
Gul confirmed to the Financial Times that an "anti-Western" stance in Turkey was strengthening, tying this to both the ongoing problems with the EU accession process, as well as to the US foreign policies in the Middle East. Gul noted that Washington DC's support for Israel's strikes against Lebanon would elicit strong reaction across the Middle East, saying "Liberal, moderate people in Turkey have been brought to the point of anti-Americanism and anti-EU ism. If this is a trend we are seeing with young, dynamic, educated, and economically active people, there is a problem. The feelings of these people on the current global policies and strategic subjects has changed. This is a dangerous situation."
Cyprus
Touching on the subject of talks between the EU and Turkey, Gul noted that the issue of Cyprus had poisened the process. Recalling that Turkey was being asked to open its air and sea ports to Southern Cypriot Greeks while isolationary measures remained in place against Turkish Northern Cyprus, Gul said "This is impossible. An elected government in Turkey could not carry this wish out."