Trump says Turkey's decision on Syria operation "didn't surprise" him

WASHINGTON, Oct 16 (KUNA) -- US President Donald Trump affirmed Wednesday that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan decision regarding the military operation in northern Syria did not "surprise" him." In a joint press conference with Italian President, Trump said "President Erdogan's decision didn't surprise me because he's wanted to do that for a long time...it didn't surprise me at all." He noted that "Syria has a relationship with the Kurds, so they'll come in for their border and they'll fight. They may bring partners in. They could bring Russia in. And I say welcome to it." He added "frankly, if Russia is going to help in protecting the Kurds, that's a good thing, not a bad thing." He stressed "are we supposed to fight a NATO member in order that Syria, who is not our friend, keeps their land? I don't think so." "Now, the PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party)... is probably worse at terror and more of a terrorist threat in many ways than (IS)," Trump stressed. "It's a semi-complicated problem, and I think it's a problem that we have a very nicely under control." He confirmed that Vice President Mike Pence will be leaving to Turkey "either late tonight or tomorrow. And he was going to leave yesterday but they have to have certain security done." "We've put massive sanctions on Turkey and we have additional sanctions on Turkey," Trump remarked.
He reiterated "we don't have to fight these endless wars," and that he is bringing American soldiers back home," noting "Turkey and Syria will hopefully work it out between themselves. Hopefully, (IS) will be guarded." "I want to bring our soldiers back home. We're not a police force. We're a fighting force. We're the greatest fighting force ever," he stressed.
For his part, the Italian President Sergio Mattarella said "we are deeply concerned with Turkey's offensive in the northeastern part of Syria." "This is an attack which also has another risk namely that of offering new space which was unthinkable a few days ago to (IS) and to its criminal terrorist activities in Syria in the Middle East, but not just in the Middle East also on other continents around the world," he added.
He affirmed that his country "in line with the EU's position condemns the Turkish operations which are ongoing." (end) si.ibi