White House: "President Bush wants to make sure that democracy in turkey is firm"

US President George W. Bush supports Turkey, and wants to make sure its democracy is firm, said White House spokesperson Dana Perino yesterday. Asked at a daily press briefing whether Bush is concerned about democracy in Turkey, she said, "I think you've heard the president say he's a strong supporter of Turkey. He supported them for EU accession, but he wants to make sure that democracy is firm in that country." Asked whether there had been communication between Bush and President Abdullah Gul or Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Perino said, "No, recently I don't think there's been anything."