Said Casey, "Our views on the PKK are well known. The PKK is a terrorist organization. We are continuing our joint efforts with Iraqi and Turkish allies to keep the PKK from being active in northern Iraq."
Casey also told reporters that he could not give them any information about the three way meetings starting today in Washington on the subject of the PKK.
Referring to recent polls of public opinion in Turkey which indicate a negative attitude towards the US, Casey said "We lend importance to public opinion, and we are actively trying to explain our policies and views through our embassies and by other means. There is an important friendship between the US and Turkey, and we of course wish for this to continue."
CYPRUS
Responding to a question as to whether it was necessary for Turkey to withdraw its soldiers from Cyprus as a prerequisite for EU membership, Casey said that while the US supported EU membership for Turkey, the matter was entirely in EU hands. Casey also said that the US official view was that the Annan plan for peace on the island was the path which would lead the two societies to peace.
