Turkish PM successful in fighting PKK, US army chief says

ISTANBUL

U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta (L) and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey (R) participate during a news briefing October 25, 2012 at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. AFP Photo

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is doing a good job in fighting terrorism, U.S. Chief of General Staff Martin Dempsey told reporters during a recent Pentagon press conference, daily Hürriyet reported.

“This is Prime Minister Erdoğan’s country. I cannot judge his approach. And he is doing his job well,” the general reportedly said.

Dempsey made the comments following a question over Turkey’s refusal to heed a U.S. suggestion to conduct a “bin Laden-style” operation against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

“We propose to our partners. Besides, Turkey is not only a close mutual partner, but also a partner from NATO.”

Francis Ricciardone, the U.S. ambassador to Ankara, previously said Washington had reportedly suggested that Turkey implement “tactics, techniques and procedures” (TTP), a multidisciplinary military maneuver that paved the way for the killing of Osama bin Laden, the architect of the Sept. 11 attack.

“We offer to share our experience. And we benefit from [their] experience. Sometimes [they] accept our offers, and sometimes not. I do not conclude [from this that there is] any communication gap,” Dempsey said.