Erdoğan: They need to put down their weapons
Güncelleme Tarihi:
The prime minister answered questions from journalists during his flight to New York the other day. We were all wondering about the meeting he held with the chief of staff, General Yaşar Büyükanıt, before leaving.
There was no sign on the PM’s face that their meeting had been tense. Either the meeting went well, or the prime minister is exceptionally good at hiding his feelings. He and his wife were calm and happy to talk to us. Here is a transcript of the exchange:
What do you think about the PKK declaring a cease-fire?
Cease-fire is a term used between different states. What they need to do is put down their arms. Of course we will find out to what extent they are serious about it.
So, Turkish soldiers will continue to operate?
Security forces around the globe are ready to start operations.
Ocalan said in his recent statement that the state can undertake operations, but should not aim for annihilation. What do you say?
If the terrorist organisation keeps their word, there is no reason why security forces would carry out operations. During a visit to Siirt, a man said that the state needed to stop operations completely. I replied that the state could not do this; that it intervenes when it needs to. Turkey needs to do something about terrorism.
[Many say that] if the US keeps their word, Turkish public opinion about America will change. Will you tell President Bush about this?
I will ask Mr. Bush to speed up the implementation of decisions that have been taken. I will ask him to show their attitude towards terrorists in Iraq. There is also the issue of arms originating from the US. If the US took these steps, the Turkish public’s view of the United States would also change.