US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matt Bryza encouraged Ankara to start intense dialogue with Baghdad. Saying that it would be beneficial to speak to regional Kurdish leaders Jalal Talabani and Massoud Barzani as "parts of the Iraqi government," Bryza noted, "We have so far been unable to convince them to do what they have to. We must continue pushing, push more and make them do it."

During an informal meeting with a group of Turkish journalists prior to Foreign Minister Abdullah Gül's visit to Washington next week, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matt Bryza emphasized the importance of getting “tangible results” on the separatist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and noted there was now “a little bigger drive” to do so; however, he warded off questions about the claims of a US-coordinated operation [into northern Iraq] around spring, saying, “We are not talking about that now.”

“Whatever will happen must be coordinated by all of us -- the Turkish, Iraqi and US administrations,” he added.

Bryza encouraged Ankara to start intense dialogue with Baghdad and stated that repeated initiatives had helped the Iraqi government to appreciate in time that it was mandatory to go into action against the PKK. Saying that it would be beneficial to speak to regional Kurdish leaders Jalal Talabani and Massoud Barzani as “parts of the Iraqi government,” Bryza noted, “We have so far been unable to convince them to do what they have to. We must continue pushing, push more and make them do it.”

The only solution to the PKK problem is not necessarily military action, Bryza pointed out, and recalled that a solution was not found even when the Turkish military had stayed in northern Iraq for a long time. He also remarked that a possible amnesty law would be controversial and said, “This [US] administration doesn't ask any ally to forget about the terror crimes committed against itself in the past and turn the other cheek.” On the other hand, he said that in the event the Turkish government came up with a mechanism to settle the status of the PKK sympathizers who never got involved in violence, this “would drain the political and even the physical support on the PKK in Iraq.”

In brief:

Cyprus: Except for the past several days, things have calmed down overall. We don't take sides in regard to crude oil [exploration] around the island. Any move that raises the level of political tension and sentimentality wouldn't help revive the resolution process for Cyprus under the UN umbrella.

Armenian issue: Political and diplomatic statements cannot resolve the genocide problem. Men of knowledge must get together and talk. We want to see Turkey-Armenia relations normalized. It is difficult to abolish Article 301 under the present political conditions, but if the law were to disappear that would be tremendous.

Kirkuk: The situation in Kirkuk is dangerous. If the Kirkuk problem is not taken care of in the most proper fashion, it could pose a terrible danger against our target of a united Iraq. A referendum will be held, but who knows when.

Syria: Things have changed a bit. Our approach is more complicated than easily telling Turkey never to hold talks with Syria. Chief advisor to the prime minister Ahmet Davudoğlu's meetings in Syria were beneficial. We saw Turkey's positive contributions. There would be no problems with Syria so long as we act with the Turkish government in a coordinated way.

Iran: We are not after a change of regime. We are in total accord over weapons of mass destruction and the nuclear issue. Iran has proposed meeting with Iraq's neighbors to hold talks on security. We are not against Turkey's participation provided that it will produce positive results.

Energy security: The corridor of current pipelines crossing from Turkey should be enlarged. This would help Europe diversify its gas resources and provide healthy competition.

Turkish domestic politics: Democracy in Turkey will not be toppled. There aren't any alarming nationalist trends. It was a positive form of Turkish nationalism to elect the Justice and Development Party (AK Party). The AK Party is still the most popular party. The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) is gaining strength but is still behind. What causes anxiety is Turkey's changing stance against the European Union and the United States.

Ali H. Aslan / Washington

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