US' Bryza: "The US will stnd Turkey as it deals with the PKK"

US Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Matt Bryza yesterday said that bilateral cooperation against the terrorist PKK has revitalized relations between Ankara and Washington, adding, "Military cooperation against the terrorist PKK will continue." Speaking to Milliyet daily, Bryza said that US President George W. Bush had assured Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan that the US would stand beside Turkey as it continues dealing with the PKK issue, and added, "We think a multi-level, multi-pronged approach is needed on this issue." Touching on US Vice President Dick Cheney's visit to Turkey next week, Bryza said, "I expect the vice president to speak about the cooperation against the terrorist PKK which started during Premier Erdogan's visit to the US last November." Also commenting about a prosecutor's indictment to close down the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), Bryza stated that Turkey is facing a difficult time, but added, "Turkish democracy has the ability to get through difficult periods."