Turkey asks for US support to eliminate misinterpretations

Turkey's Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Feridun Sinirlioğlu is visiting the United States, and meeting US executives, including the executives of the US State Department.

During his talks, Sinirlioğlu discussed Iran's nuclear program, the situation in Iran, relations with Israel, Middle East, Balkans, Turkey's possible initiatives in Afghanistan and bilateral relations.

Diplomatic sources in Washing D.C. told reporters that Sinirlioğlu's meetings were within the framework of "regular political consultations," and

They said that two countries discussed possible future cooperation, and how problems could be overcome in the future.

Turkey had asked for US administration's support to eliminate misunderstandings that occurred after Turkey's vote against sanctions on Iran at the United Nations (UN) Security Council and recent relations with Israel, diplomatic sources said.

Diplomats also said Turkey was planning to have a close cooperation with the United States in coming days.

The American Turkish Council (ATC) meeting to take place in Washington D.C. in October was another matter Sinirlioğlu debated during his talks with US executives.

Turkey's State Minister Ali Babacan and State Minister Zafer Çağlayan for foreign trade are expected to represent Turkey in the meeting.

Therefore, Sinirlioğlu also handled economic and commercial relations besides political and military relations during his meetings in the United States.

During ATC meeting, Turkey will focus on increasing trade with the United States and encouraging direct investments.

On Iran's nuclear program controversy, Turkey expressed his view that it was not intending to take sides but to assume an assisting role.

Diplomatic sources said Turkey, as a neighbor of Iran, could not remain indifferent to developments in that country but was not taking sides.

According to the sources, Turkey's aim was to bring together P5 1 group and Iran.

They also said a meeting to take place between European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Catherine Aston and Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili could be in Istanbul or New York.

Turkey, as Iran's neighbor, did not want any instability in the region, they said.

Diplomats said Turkey was only committed to UN sanctions on Iran, but EU sanctions or the unilateral sanctions of the United States did not bind Turkey.

The same diplomats said Turkey was not against use of nuclear energy for peaceful reasons, but did not want any country to produce nuclear weapons.

On the attack on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, Turkish delegation told US executives that this was the first time that Israel faced such an incident with a friendly country.

Diplomatic sources said Turkey asked Israel to apologize and pay compensation, and demanded establishment of an international investigation delegation if that did not happen.

Things would have been settled quicker if Israel had apologized and paid compensation but Israel did not prefer that method, diplomats said.

They said UN international investigation delegation would present its first report on the incident before September 15.

The sooner Israel apologized and paid compensation, the quicker the problem would be solved, they said.

Diplomats said a delay in solution would be against Turkey and Israel.

Sinirlioğlu also discussed situation in Iraq with US executives. Diplomats said Turkey and the United States had similar views on Iraq, and Turkey wanted establishment of a broad-based government including all segments of the society in Iraq as soon as possible.

On Turkey's role in the Middle East peace process, diplomatic sources said Syria wanted Turkey to assume a mediating role in its relations with Israel, but first of all Turkey's relations with Israel had to got better.

Also, diplomats said the United States would always support Turkey's fight against terrorism and Turkey had asked the United States to encourage European countries to support Turkey's fight against the terrorist organization PKK.

Diplomatic sources said the United States wanted Turkey to continue its initiatives in Afghanistan, particularly to train soldiers and police forces, and Turkey was positive on this matter.

Sinirlioğlu is expected to return to Turkey later on Wednesday.