Interview on Turkish N-TV

Al-Qaida has targeted Turkey and other civilized nations because they "value human lives and human rights," Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage said in an interview with Turkish television on November 21.

"We've made clear to our Turkish friends that anything that Turkey needs that the United States can provide, we shall do so," Armitage stated. "So I think this is a warning to all of us that it's going to be a long fight, and we'll have to gird ourselves for that fight."

The U.S. and Turkey have had a very good relationship with intelligence sharing and law enforcement in the fight against terrorism, Armitage added.

He said, "Because of this terrible tragedy in Turkey -- we share even more closely through this, almost a blood tie. What happened to us on 9/11, what's happened twice within a week to Turkey, I think has to drive us closer together."

Armitage reiterated that the U.S. regards the Turkish-based PKK/Kadek as a terrorist organization. "We have spoken out very strongly about this," he said, "and we're going to coordinate very closely and carefully with our friends from Turkey on the matter."

At the end of his interview, Armitage said, "And, again, let me express the sorrow of the American people and the Department of State for the suffering of our Turkish friends and our British friends."

Following is the transcript of Deputy Secretary Richard Armitage's interview with Turkish N-TV:

(begin transcript)

Department of State
Interview on Turkish N-TV
Richard L. Armitage, Deputy Secretary
Washington, DC
November 21, 2003

QUESTION: Thank you, Mr. Secretary, for being with us.

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: Thank you, sir.

QUESTION: Al-Qaida has claimed responsibility for Istanbul bombings. Why Turkey, and why now?

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: Why Turkey, multiple times. I don't know. I'd ask the same question. Why Mombassa, why Bali, why Morocco, why Saudi Arabia twice, and why the United States?

Clearly, al-Qaida is trying to go after civilized nations, nations which value human lives and human rights, and Turkey is a leading nation in that regard.

QUESTION: Does Turkey have special characteristics that invite this kind of an attack?

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: No, I don't think there is a special characteristic other than a people who value human rights and human freedoms, and are democratic. So that's the common characteristic, I think.

QUESTION: What do you think Turkey should do, from this point on, to fight this kind of terrorism effectively?

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: I know our Turkish friends are going to be even more vigilant in the future. I had an excellent discussion yesterday with the Chief of General Staff, Lieutenant General Basbug, about these matters. I have no doubt that the Turkish security forces are going to tighten up and do their utmost to root out these killers.

QUESTION: The President, as well as other U.S. officials, have offered help regarding that matter. Is it taking place, or what exactly do you offer?

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: Of course, we've all had a very good relationship in intelligence sharing and law enforcement, and we've made clear to our Turkish friends that anything that Turkey needs that the United States can provide, we shall do so.

And on a micro level, and even our personnel in our embassy in Ankara and our consulate in Istanbul, are providing blood and donating blood to help those who were wounded.

QUESTION: In terms of law enforcement, is there any kind of cooperation, share information?

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: There has been -- well, there is complete sharing of information. And any new information we get, we'll continue to share.

QUESTION: Would such acts hurt Turkey's ties with the United States?

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: No, in a way, I think now we're -- because of this terrible tragedy in Turkey -- we share even more closely through this, almost a blood tie. What happened to us on 9/11, what's happened twice within a week to Turkey, I think has to drive us closer together.

QUESTION: Does that also cover other members of the civilized world including Israel, Britain?

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: Well, I think we're all tied together because it's the civilized world who is under attack and no one is immune, no one who has our values. So I think this is a warning to all of us that it's going to be a long fight, and we'll have to gird ourselves for that fight.

QUESTION: What kind of coordination do you suggest, in terms of fighting al-Qaida and against this kind of terrible terrorism?

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: Well, in the first instance, of course, it's intelligence sharing. In the second instance, it's a matter of stopping, or cutting down on and stopping, the financing that allows al-Qaida cells to exist. Third of all, I think it's a matter of vigilance from our security forces to not accept, not accept any terrorism, because any is too much, no matter the cause.

QUESTION: Do you think that such attacks will continue, either Turkey or somewhere else?

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: Well, I pray to God that Turkey is not again subjected to a horrible attack. I know that during this particular time, we, in the United States, have sent warnings out to our own embassies around the world because we think it's a time for extra vigilance, and that enemies of ours and enemies of yours will try to attack us again. I just pray to God they're not successful in Turkey or here.

QUESTION: As you said, you met with the Deputy Chief of the Turkish staff, and he told us that the United States was kind of planning action against the PKK in northern Iraq, but there is no timeframe. What's your position, and do you have a time for that?

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: PKK/Kadek is a terrorist organization, and, as such, they cannot be allowed to exist, and we have spoken out very strongly about this, and we're going to coordinate very closely and carefully with our friends from Turkey on the matter. But as of timing, that's not something I think I'll discuss publicly.

QUESTION: I mean, do you want to see military action in the future?

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: As a Foreign Terrorist Organization, the PKK/Kadek is deserving of whatever we decide to dish out. I'm not going to rule anything in or out.

QUESTION: Thank you very much for being with us, Mr. Secretary.

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: Thank you. And, again, let me express the sorrow of the American people and the Department of State for the suffering of our Turkish friends and our British friends.

QUESTION: Thank you.

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