As Gul raised the issue of PKK-KADEK in the meeting, Powell said that he understood the concerns of Turkey in that respect and that the U.S. administration would take action. Powell stated that they would first force PKK militants to benefit from the "Return-to-Home" Law issued by Turkey approximately six months ago and then an operation might be launched “if necessary.” He said that Turkey should wait until April or May for that. On Kurds living in Northern Iraq, Powell said; You do not need to worry. If they attempt to establish an independent Kurdish state, it will be U.S., that will object first.
On the Cyprus issue, Powell praised the steps taken by Turkey and said that there was a window of opportunity to solve the issue. Nevertheless, he said that he could not act as a mediator between the parties as he already had some responsibilities. In response, Gul reportedly said that Turkey did not want him to be a mediator, rather, Turkey would be pleased if Powell took action when talks seemed to lead to a stalemate. Powell said that he would do that.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan did not approach positively to the call of Turkey for U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell to act as a mediator/facilitator to solve the Cyprus issue before May 1. Annan stated that he preferred to work with a figure, who knew the Cyprus issue well.
Commenting on the news that Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan called on U.S. to appoint an impartial figure as a mediator in the Cyprus issue, Annan said; As far as I know, my friend Colin Powell already has many responsibilities. He is very busy. Annan added that Alvaro De Soto, his special representative, knew the Cyprus issue very well.
