    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book I)]
    [January 28, 2004]
    [Pages 150-151]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following Discussions With Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
    Erdogan of Turkey
    January 28, 2004

        The President. It is my honor to welcome Prime Minister Erdogan to
    the Oval Office for the second time. I've been looking forward to this
    meeting because Turkey is a friend and an important ally of America. I
    have found that the Prime Minister is a person who is easy to talk to.
    He's a straightforward man, which makes it easy to be able to deal with
    common issues.
        And we talked about Iraq, and I assured him the United States'
    ambition is for a peaceful country, a democratic Iraq that is
    territorially intact.
        He briefed me on the Cyprus talks, and I appreciated his trying to
    find a solution--a solution to a long-standing dispute.
        I appreciate the Prime Minister's steadfast determination to fight
    terror. Both of us understand what it means to have our fellow citizens
    destroyed by the merciless killing of terrorists. Both of us understand
    that we must stay on the offensive against terrorists and bring them to
    justice before they hurt innocent people.
        Over lunch, we'll discuss other issues of importance. I'm really
    looking forward to going to Turkey later on this year. It's going to be
    an important meeting. Every one of my friends who has traveled to your
    country has come back with great stories of warm hospitality and
    magnificent sights.
        So I'm proud to welcome our friend to the Oval Office.
        Prime Minister Erdogan. First of all, I would like to thank you very
    much. It, indeed, made us very happy to learn that after listing PKK and
    KADEK in the list of terrorist organizations, the United States has
    decided to list KONGRA-GEL among terrorist organizations. We were very
    happy for that. We thank you.
        It's very obvious where Turkey stands in the fight against
    terrorism--that needs to be mutual and international, especially in the
    aftermath of what happened on September 11th. We are in a common effort
    to fight terrorism, and we share the same views regarding our strategic
    partnership in restructuring Iraq.
        I also share the same views in--in developing Middle East. And we
    spoke of the fact that we support the good will mission of the
    Secretary-General of the United Nations, and we are willing to restart
    the negotiations, taking Annan's plan as a reference point.
        I state once again that the Turkish side is determined for a
    solution. We will always be a step ahead of our Greek counterparts, and
    we're determined to solve this as soon as possible.
        I thank you for your invitation, for your----
        The President. Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 12:05 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House. In his remarks, Prime Minister Erdogan referred to Secretary-
    General Kofi Annan of the United Nations. A tape was not available for
    verification of the content of these remarks.

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