Turkish ambassador: U.S. has assured there will not be authority vacuum in Iraq

Turkish Ambassador in Washington Namik Tan said that the United States, while withdrawing its troops from Iraq, assured Turkey that there would not be an authority vacuum in Iraq which could be exploited by PKK terrorist organization.

However, assurances given by word should have some concrete reflections, added Tan who spoke to AA on Monday.

Noting that there was relatively a stability in Iraq and it was very fragile and he had some concerns about it, Tan said that if a clash milieu emerged in Iraq, it could have destructive impacts in the region. We want to have results as soon as possible in our fight against terrorism so that it can help restoring the stability in Iraq too, said Tan.

Tan said that Turkey, in every chance, asked the U.S. to increase its support to Turkey in fight against PKK terrorist organization. He added that Iraq’s future and PKK terrorist organization seemed to continue to be one of the most important agenda items of Turkish-U.S. relations in the coming period too.

Noting that fight against terrorism was an important matter in Turkish-U.S. relations, Tan said that the U.S. supported Turkey in fight against PKK terrorist organization from the beginning, and Turkey appreciated this.

The U.S. also extended technical support and helped in equipment, materials and weapon systems, said Tan, adding that no other country had helped Turkey as much as the U.S. did so far.

However, Turkey still has expectations from the U.S. in fight against terrorism, said Tan. He noted that terrorism issue was a threat and obstacle in front of further developing the relations between Turkey and the U.S.

20.12.2011
SOURCE: CUMHURIYET.COM.TR ENGLISH