U.S. public diplomacy chief Karen Hughes says the United States wants better cooperation with key NATO ally Turkey.
Ms. Hughes spoke in Ankara Wednesday on the final stop of a Middle East tour designed to boost America's image in the Islamic world. Speaking to reporters after meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, she said the United States needs to help Turkey deal with a resurgent terrorist campaign by Kurdish separatists.
Ms. Hughes also met with a group of Turkish women activists, some of whom said they believe it will be difficult for the United States to improve its image as long as the war in Iraq continues. She said no one likes war, and that Iraqi women did not fare well under Saddam Hussein.
In Saudi Arabia Tuesday, Ms. Hughes discussed women's rights and state-sponsored religious extremism in meetings with top Saudi officials, journalists and a group of Saudi women.