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ANKARA: Edelman: Turkey Has Proved Good-will In Cyprus To E.U.

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  • ANKARA: Edelman: Turkey Has Proved Good-will In Cyprus To E.U.

    Anadolu Agency, Turkey
    April 27 2004

    Edelman: Turkey Has Proved Its Good-will In Cyprus To E.U. And World

    ISTANBUL - U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Eric Edelman has said that
    Turkey had proved its good-will in Cyprus to the European Union (EU)
    and to the world, adding that they would take all necessary measures
    not to leave Turkish Cypriots in the cold.

    Speaking at a conference held jointly by Istanbul's Bogazici
    University and Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association
    (TUSIAD) Foreign Policy Forum on ''Future of Turkish-the United
    States Relations'', Edelman said on Tuesday that a powerful Turkey
    would constitute an important opportunity for freedom, prosperity and
    development in the region.

    Noting that it was not the United States, but Turkish citizens who
    will make Turkey successful, Edelman stressed that the United States
    had been sincerely supporting Turkey's EU membership process.

    Stressing that Turkey could draw attention of more foreign investors,
    Edelman said that there were still some problems in foreign
    investments, and called on Turkish officials to overcome them.

    Recalling that Turkey had made valuable contributions to training of
    the Afghan National Army and undertaken important missions in
    Afghanistan, Edelman said that NATO had been discussing presence of a
    military team out of Kabul under the leadership of Turkey.

    Emphasizing that the United States wanted to hand over the
    sovereignty to Iraqi people on June 30, Edelman said that they had
    been exerting efforts together with Iraqi people to determine the
    most appropriate method of administration for Iraq.

    Noting that the United States had made some mistakes in Iraq in
    recent weeks, Edelman said that the United States, however, made many
    contributions to future of Iraqi people.

    Recalling that PKK/KADEK and the other terrorist organizations in
    Iraq had already been included in the United States list of terrorist
    organizations, Edelman said that Turkey and the United States had
    been carrying out joint efforts to eradicate those terrorist
    organizations.

    Stressing that Turkey was able to make very important contributions
    to the Middle East process, Edelman said that Turkey having a secular
    and democratic system could constitute a serious model for the other
    regional countries.

    Edelman noted that the United States targeted to provide peace in
    Caucasus and the Balkans, highlighting importance of Turkey's opening
    its border with Armenia.

    Referring to results of Saturday's twin referendums in Cyprus,
    Edelman said that Turkey had exerted very significant efforts for a
    fair and lasting agreement in Cyprus, and that Turkey had made great
    sacrifices.

    Recalling that the Turkish Cypriot side supported United Nations
    Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan, Edelman said that Turkey had
    proved its good-will in Cyprus to the EU and the world.

    He quoted U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell as saying that the
    Greek Cypriots had missed a historic opportunity by rejecting the
    Annan Plan.

    Describing United Nations Secretary General Annan's plan as the only
    way for a fair and lasting peace on the island, Edelman said that
    they would take all necessary measures not to leave Turkish Cypriots
    in the cold.

    Edelman stressed that Turkish Cypriot community should not be
    punished because the Greek Cypriot side rejected the plan.

    Stressing that Turkey had been strategic partner of the United States
    for the last five decades, Edelman added that the United States
    wanted to provide prosperity in the region.
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