REFLECTIONS :

Bush charged US Secretary of State Colin Powell to hold contacts with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, which is the basic reason for reaching this conclusion. In addition, Bush stated that he had appreciated the breakthrough started by Turkey and that the Greek Cypriot administration should respond to this. Understandably, reflections from Washington show that Ankara’s plan to sit at the table has positive effects. Turkish side displays a determined stance in order to prove that it’s not escaping the table. We’ll see if this move will have positive results. How will the US’ interference influence the Greek Cypriot administration? Obviously the Greek Cypriot lobby will put pressure on the White House in the year of election. It will be understood whether the White House will influence the Greek Cypriot lobby or the Greek Cypriot will direct the Bush administration in a short period of time.

Of course the way Turkey leaves the table is more important than how it sits at the table. The signals to be received from Brussels about receiving a date for membership negotiations have the same level of importance. Iraq issue is Achilles’ heel of Turkish-US relations. Bush’s promise about Iraq’s territorial integrity and the PKK/KADEK issue isn’t a sufficient result. It’s obvious how much this promise which was made before Iraq’s invasion was reflected on the practice. It’s another question how this will be practiced from now on. The things which have happened in northern Iraq up to now increased Turkey’s concerns. Turkey isn’t directly involved in the Iraq issue. The influence of the meeting at the White House about the Cyprus and Iraq issues will be seen.”