In wake of new attack, Gul and Erdogan pledge determined efforts against terrorist PKK

President Abdullah Gul yesterday condemned a terrorist PKK attack on a bus carrying police officers in the southeastern province of Diyarbakir, which killed four policemen, including the bus driver, and injured 20 others. In a statement, Gül said, "I strongly condemn this atrocious attack by the terrorist group, which is facing collapse and resorting to inhumane actions in the face of the state's determined fight against terrorism." He also promised that the attack's perpetrators would be brought to justice. Speaking to reporters, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, "Such terrorist attacks won't deter the Turkish people," and stressed the importance of public unity and solidarity. Erdogan also said there should be no doubt about Turkish security forces' operational effectiveness, adding that the security forces will use their authority without reservation until PKK terrorists lay down their arms. Citing this week's meeting of the Supreme Anti-Terrorism Board to discuss new anti-terrorist tactics, Erdogan said, "In addition to the security aspect, the issue also has diplomatic, political, economic, sociological and psychological dimensions." In related news, Italian Ambassador to Ankara Carlo Marsili said that the attack targeted not only Turkey but also the European Union, calling Turkey a member of the European family. Offering his condolences to the Turkish government and people, Marsili urged the EU to take stronger measures against the terrorist PKK, saying that just putting it on the EU's list of terrorist groups was not enough.