Urges Halki reopening, critisizes the number of arrested journalists, emphasizes cooperation against PKK

Turkey must reopen Istanbul's Greek Orthodox Halki seminary and strengthen freedoms of expression, religion and other fundamental human rights, a senior Washington official has said ahead of US Vice President Joe Biden's visit to Turkey this week. Speaking during a Nov. 28 conference call with reporters, Biden's National Security Advisor Tony Blinken encouraged Ankara to reopen Heybeliada Island's Halki seminary, which has remained closed since 1971. Blinken also criticized the number of Turkish journalists who are currently behind bars. Despite Blinken's comments on Ankara's domestic policies, the adviser lauded Turkey's regional role, saying the country set an example for neighbors currently engaged in transition and played "a strong leadership role" in the Middle East. Blinken said the vice president's talks with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Abdullah Gul, which will start on Dec. 1, would focus on ways of expanding trade, cooperation against the terrorist PKK and the uprisings in Syria and other Arab nations. Blinken pledged continued U.S. backing for Turkey against the PKK, which is recognized as a terrorist organization by Turkey and much of the international community, and lauded Turkey's decision to install radar as part of NATO's missile shield project while also denouncing recent threats by Iran to the installation if attacked. "Making threatening statements doesn't serve anyone's purpose, least of all the Iranians." Blinken said.