American Turkish Council chairman says USA stands by Turkey in its fight against terrorism

ANKARA (A.A) - July 18, 2011 - The chairman of American Turkish Council (ATC) said on Monday that the United States was standing by Turkey in its fight against terrorism.
A retired ambassador, ATC Chairman Richard Armitage said the United States could understand Turkey's fight against terrorism, and was standing by the country in that fight.
Armitage offered his condolences for 13 soldiers who were killed in last week's terrorist attack in Silvan town of the southeastern province of Diyarbakir.
The United States did not want to forefront its support; and what was important was that Turkish executives were aware of that support, Armitage told a press conference in Ankara.
Armitage visited Istanbul and attended a Turkish American trade meeting in the Aegean town of Bodrum. He is set to hold talks in Ankara on Monday and Tuesday.
Earlier on Monday, Armitage met executives of the General Staff and the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP).
On Turkish-Israeli relations, Armitage said the two countries had to solve their problems between themselves, and underlined importance of cooperation of Turkey, which had assumed an efficient role in its region, with all regional countries and its neighbors.
Armitage also said Turkish-U.S. relations were better this year than last year, and he would invite Foreign Minister Davutoglu to the annual meeting of the American Turkish Council to take place in Washington on October 30-November 2, 2011. 
Armitage will meet Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and National Defense Minister Ismet Yilmaz on Tuesday. 
As one of the leading business associations in the United States, American Turkish Council is dedicated to effectively strengthening U.S.-Turkish relations through the promotion of commercial, defense, technology and cultural relations.