Speaking to his party's deputies in Parliament, Erdoğan complained that TV commentators were using the southeastern conflict to put his government in a difficult situation. Some terrorism experts, including retired army officers, have been calling for a swift incursion into northern Iraq, accusing the government of acting in a cowardly manner.
The prime minister also spoke about the future of bilateral ties between the US and Turkey, saying they depended on Washington's stance on the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) terrorists based in northern Iraq.
Erdoğan said the safe haven that terrorists enjoy in northern Iraq would dominate his talks with US President George W. Bush at the White House on Nov. 5. "I will openly tell him that we expect concrete, immediate steps against the terrorists," Erdoğan told his deputies. "The problem of the PKK terrorist organization is a test of sincerity for everybody," he said. "I will tell him [Bush] that this test carries great importance for the region and in determining the fate of our future relations."
Erdoğan said he would seek an explanation from Washington on how US military hardware given to Iraqi forces had ended up in PKK hands.
He said he would discuss "the groups on which the terrorist organization relies" -- an apparent reference to the Iraqi Kurds, who harbor the terrorists. Breaking the drug-trafficking rings the PKK uses for financing would also be on the agenda, he said, adding that he would ask the US to put forward a roadmap on the procedures it intended to take.
Turkey still considers diplomacy its favored route for resolving the problem, but the threat of military action remains, Erdoğan said. "We are a part of the world, and we should not forget that diplomacy has certain requirements," he said. "Our talks [with Bush] will make them better understand that Turkey's patience has run out and that we are determined to unhesitatingly take all the steps to finish off terrorism."
The prime minister also spoke about the diplomacy that has been conducted in the past 10 days over the issue. Recalling that he himself had visited the UK and Romania and that Foreign Minister Ali Babacan had visited 11 countries, the prime minister emphasized that a meeting bringing together the neighbors of Iraq was scheduled at the end of this week.
"The meeting is of vital importance for the future of Iraq and for our future," said Erdoğan. The prime minister also stressed that there was more to the struggle against terrorism than the military aspect.
“It has become inevitable for Turkey to start a more intense military process against terrorism. The operations in the region are under way. Terrorism has been an issue in Turkey for the past 30 years. We have lost many lives, many martyrs. The Republic of Turkey has made a great sacrifice by remaining within the boundaries of the law. It has never compromised from democracy and economic stability.”
Reproach of TV commentators
Prime Minister Erdoğan also expressed the opinion that some commentators speaking on terrorism were acting as “public servants working for provocation.”
Some terrorism experts, including retired army officers, have been calling for a swift incursion into northern Iraq.
“At times, I see commentators who are supposedly experts on the subject. They serve as public servants for provocation. I am saying this very clearly: Whether retired or actively on duty [in the military], what these people are doing is nothing but attacking the unity and the integrity of the country. These people don’t have any burden on their shoulders. All they do is find a way to ‘corner the government.’ This is all that they do,” the prime minister said.
He also said narrow-mindedness did not have a place in the government and stated that the government was doing its best to ensure peace and unity. “We can neither act on hostility, nor with the excitement of those who have not shouldered any responsibilities. We need unity.”
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