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  • ANKARA: Bagis: There are some circles which claim that there is anan

    Turkish Press
    March 21 2005

    Bagis: There are some circles which claim that there is an
    anti-American sentiment in Turkey
    Published: 3/21/2005
    Anadolu Agency


    BURSA - Egemen Bagis, chairman of Turkey-U.S. Parliamentary
    Friendship Group and a deputy from Justice and Development Party
    (AKP), stated that there are some circles which claim that there is
    an anti-American sentiment in Turkey.

    ``Once the U.S. attitude towards the terrorist PKK organization
    changes, such a sentiment will reach a new dimension,`` said Bagis.

    Bagis attended a luncheon meeting of the Turkish Young Businessmen`s
    Association (TUGIAD) Branch in Bursa.

    ``Turkey and the United States have a past of 200 years. 60 years out
    of the total has been spent as strategic partners. The two allies
    have cooperated in Kosovo, Afghanistan, Somalia and the Middle
    East,`` remarked Bagis.

    ``Turkey and the United States share the same notions on the
    protection of the territorial integrity of Iraq. However, Turkey has
    not received the right response to the situation in north of Iraq. In
    the past, United States was the country that recognized the PKK as a
    terrorist organization. The U.S. decision came at a time when no
    European country regarded the PKK as a terrorist group,`` stressed
    Bagis.

    According to Bagis, the freedom of the PKK terrorists in north of
    Iraq hurts the Turks each and every day. ``Furthermore, the changes
    in demographic structure is a matter of concern. In the past few
    weeks, tri-partite meetings between Turkey, United States and Iraq
    began, which surely is a matter of positive development.``

    Reminded by a journalist about the recent comments made by American
    correspondents against Turkey, Bagis expressed that this situation is
    identical to a chain-accident. ``Action...reaction. Turkish media
    says one thing and the U.S. media writes in return. My personal
    opinion is that once the U.S. administration reacts to the PKK
    presence in north of Iraq, we will cool-off tension between Turkey
    and the United States. Countries like Iran and Syria were formerly
    accused by the Turkish government for providing shelter to PKK
    terrorists. Today, such neighbors are cooperating with Turkey and are
    returning PKK terrorists captured in their respective countries.``

    Bagis added that a change in the U.S. administration`s stance on the
    situation in north of Iraq will break the anti-American sentiment in
    Turkey. ``Turkish-American ties are so historical and comprehensive
    that it would be unfair to base our relations on a single issue of
    PKK or Iraq. I believe that our media takes issues more seriously
    than its counterparts in the States. There are virtually hundreds of
    newspapers and editors in America. One of the American journalists
    writes, after encouragement by certain circles, and tries to
    establish the agenda for that day. Such articles get coverage on the
    first page of certain Turkish newspapers. We must not take these
    reports or editorials as too seriously.``

    Istanbul deputy Bagis told that Turkey`s European Union (EU) dream
    will put an end to all conspiracy theories. ``You may think that it
    is a joke but often we get two questions from foreign investors in
    Turkey: Could a military coup take place again in Turkey? Could
    Islamic Law enter Turkish politics? It is my firm opinion that the EU
    will remove all these suspicions in Turkey. The EU is a development
    that guarantees Turkey`s stability. For this reason, the EU is on top
    of our agenda,`` noted Bagis.

    Bagis further indicated that, prior to November 3rd, 2002, Turkey did
    not have good relations with its neighbors. ``In the past several
    years, relations with Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Georgia, Iran and
    Iraq have improved. The ties with Armenia are not at the level where
    they should be due to Armenian insistence on some borders.``

    Bagis commented that Armenians once again have historical
    allegations. ``If the Armenians cool-off tensions between Turkey and
    Armenia, they will surely receive a positive response. In 2004, we
    have permitted flights of the Armenian national airlines to Istanbul
    four times a week. We have given a hand of friendship to the
    Armenians. According to data I have received, there are over 30,000
    Armenian citizens working in Turkey. These Armenians are not Turkish
    citizens but have come to Turkey for various reasons. About half of
    these Armenians look after our children as baby sitters. This
    incident itself shows that we have no hatred of any one but love for
    all. We share common cultural values.``
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