Wednesday, 16 May 2007US envoy lends support to ongoing TSK operations against PKK
Calling the issue of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) "the most difficult specific terrorist problem that Turkey faces," U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Ross Wilson on Monday voiced support for ongoing operations held by the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) against the PKK.
Wilson's remarks came at a conference on "Countering Ideological Support for Terrorism," held in Ankara jointly by the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, the NATO-Russia Council and the Ankara based-Centre of Excellence Defense Against Terrorism.
"[The PKK] is one [situation] where none of Turkey's allies have done all they can or should. Even if I am frustrated with the slow pace of recent, demonstrable steps, I am proud of the help the United States has provided. It reflects our support to an ally in need and our contribution to defeating a terrorist and criminal menace that is bad for Turkey, bad for Europe and bad for Iraq," Wilson said.
"The biggest part of the struggle with the PKK is ultimately, of course, Turkey's burden. It is tough, even ugly, work. In recent weeks Turkish security forces have clearly taken the battle to the PKK. The United States supports that work, and we are looking now at ways that we can further help Turkish security forces find, go after and defeat those endangering the citizenry of this country," he said, in apparent reference to ongoing TSK operations against PKK members on the Cudi and Gabar mountains in southeastern Anatolia, close to the border with Iraq.
16 May 2007
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Wednesday, 16 May 2007
US and the PKK Terrorism
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