Obama's remarks on Turkish ops were twisted, FM spokesman says
Speaking to members of the media at the White House on Wednesday, U.S. President Barack Obama stressed that Turkey is legitimate in defending itself against the outlawed PKK. However, according to a Huffington Post article, Obama's statements were interpreted as "not to go on the offensive against Kurdish fighters." In this regard, Foreign Ministry's spokesman Tanju Bilgiç said during a press conference early on Friday that what Obama had said had been distorted and his words were misinterpreted.
Bilgiç reiterated that the PKK is listed as a terrorist organization not only by Turkey, but also by the U.S., and there is no such thing as a good or bad terrorist. "Making a distinction between terrorist organizations is unacceptable and we have stressed this statement on all platforms. The U.N. and many other world leaders have also indicated that Turkey has the right to defend itself against terrorists," Bilgiç said.
Obama on Wednesday had said that while the agreement made between Ankara and Washington focuses on how to prevent foreign fighters from joining the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), he stressed that it is legitimate for the Turkey to defend itself against the PKK terrorist organization.
"Well, we've discussed with the Turks our strong view that [ISIS] poses the largest threat to the region and we have to stay focused, [and our view is] that to the extent the PKK engages in attacks against Turkish targets, it is legitimate for the Turks to try to defend themselves. But the agreement that we are working on is carefully bound around: How do we close off that border to foreign fighters entering into Syria? And everything we do will be based on that issue," Obama said.
Following the deadly suicide attack by ISIS in the southeastern border town of Suruç in Şanlıurfa province on July 24, Ankara formally signed a deal with Washington for opening its İncirlik Air Base in Adana province to the U.S.-led coalition fighting ISIS. After the suicide bombing, the PKK killed many officers and civilians, totaling more than 17 with the latest attacks. In this regard, Turkish warplanes have been focusing on PKK camps in northern Iraq, striking camps in Zap, Metina and Haftanin where there are dense centers of PKK members.
Bilgiç reiterated that the PKK is listed as a terrorist organization not only by Turkey, but also by the U.S., and there is no such thing as a good or bad terrorist. "Making a distinction between terrorist organizations is unacceptable and we have stressed this statement on all platforms. The U.N. and many other world leaders have also indicated that Turkey has the right to defend itself against terrorists," Bilgiç said.
Obama on Wednesday had said that while the agreement made between Ankara and Washington focuses on how to prevent foreign fighters from joining the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), he stressed that it is legitimate for the Turkey to defend itself against the PKK terrorist organization.
"Well, we've discussed with the Turks our strong view that [ISIS] poses the largest threat to the region and we have to stay focused, [and our view is] that to the extent the PKK engages in attacks against Turkish targets, it is legitimate for the Turks to try to defend themselves. But the agreement that we are working on is carefully bound around: How do we close off that border to foreign fighters entering into Syria? And everything we do will be based on that issue," Obama said.
Following the deadly suicide attack by ISIS in the southeastern border town of Suruç in Şanlıurfa province on July 24, Ankara formally signed a deal with Washington for opening its İncirlik Air Base in Adana province to the U.S.-led coalition fighting ISIS. After the suicide bombing, the PKK killed many officers and civilians, totaling more than 17 with the latest attacks. In this regard, Turkish warplanes have been focusing on PKK camps in northern Iraq, striking camps in Zap, Metina and Haftanin where there are dense centers of PKK members.
Last Update: August 07, 2015 20:25