Turkish Prime Minister visits Washington

Описание: (17 Jan 2002)

1. Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's limousine arriving at White House, Ecevit gets out
2. Interior White House - President George W Bush
3. Bush and Ecevit
4. SOUNDBITE: (English) George W Bush, U.S. President
"Today I'm informing the Prime Minister that we are lifting the travel ban on Turkey so that our citizens can feel comfortable going to that wonderful country to visit and to enjoy the rich history of one of our valued allies and friends."
5. Press
6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Bulent Ecevit, Turkish Prime Minister
"It may be possible to reach a compromise between Turkey and Greece on the Aegean. There is an interest of both countries in solving the problem of the Aegean and I'm sure that it can be solved."
7. Briefing
8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Bulent Ecevit, Turkish Prime Minister
"The president has said, as well as his colleagues, that if and when the United States wants to take certain measures against Iraq they will consult with us."
9. Turkish government officials
10. Pan from U.S. Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to Ecevit

STORYLINE:

President Bush on Wednesday welcomed Turkey's offer to lead peacekeeping forces in Afghanistan, while reiterating that American troops would not be participating in the force.

Going into his meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, Bush said the United States would look to make "serious contributions to the government of Afghanistan" in other areas, such as reconstruction.

But as far as peacekeeping was concerned, he said that other nations were more than willing to take a leading role.

Bush said U-S officials had lifted a travel warning advising Americans not to go to Turkey, saying that now Americans could once more "feel comfortable" about visiting the country.

Ecevit noted as an encouraging sign the agreement reached on Wednesday regarding a schedule for peace talks on the ethnically divided island of Cyprus, but said "they may not attain concrete results immediately."

The Mediterranean island has been split along ethnic lines since 1974, when Turkish forces invaded the northern third in response to a brief Greek-inspired coup.

Numerous attempts over the years to solve the conflict have failed but now rival leaders on the island have agreed to launch peace talks.

One of Ecevit's objectives in coming to Washington was to dissuade Bush from targeting Turkey's neighbour Iraq in the ongoing war on terrorism.

Bush made no promises but did say he would consult the Turkish government on any moves to try to force Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to let U-N weapons inspectors back into his country.

Turkey, a NATO member, fears any military action against Iraq could spill over into its own territory, dealing another blow to the fragile Turkish economy.

Earlier, Ecevit met U-S Defence Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, who said the United States supports Turkey's proposal to take over the leadership of the peacekeeping force in Afghanistan.

Rumsfeld underlined Turkey's key role as a strategic ally, both in the war against terrorism, and within NATO, Turkish officials reported.

Ecevit told Rumsfeld Turkey was committed to the long-term reconstruction of Afghanistan and has offered to help with the establishment of a modern Afghan army.

Ecevit said the creation of a unified national army is essential to end to decades of factional fighting in Afghanistan.

Turkey is sending 261 military personnel for the peacekeeping force which is currently under British leadership.


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