WASHINGTON - National Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul said on Tuesday that the assumption that Turkey made cooperation with Iran and Syria against the United States was not realistic.
Gonul, currently in Washington to participate in a meeting about NATO-Ukraine relations, delivered a speech in Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
Speaking about the visit of Iranian First Vice President Mohammed Reza Aref, Gonul said Turkey did not make this invitation, stating that, ''what I feel is that Iran wants Turkey to be a mediator in its relations with the United States.''
Pointing out that Syria also wanted Turkey to mediate its relations with the United States, Gonul said, ''the assumption that Iran, Turkey and Syria formed an enemy front against the United States, following its victory in Iraq, have nothing to do with the facts.''
Gonul said Turkey considered itself as Western after foundation of Republic, noting that, ''nobody can change this, and nobody has intention to change it. This should be asked to European Union (EU).''
Gonul said there had been a disappointment in the United States following the decision of the Parliament not allowing deployment of U.S. soldiers in Turkey, yet stressed that he believed this will be overcome within the scope of the importance of strategical relations between the two countries. Gonul said he was optimistic about future of Turkish-U.S. relations.
Gonul said Turkey expected cooperation with the United States not only in security but also in economy and trade, stressing that Turkey was willing to participate in rebuilding process of Iraq. Gonul said Turkey was a model country in the region having a democratic, secular structure and market economy.''
Responding to an evaluation that Turkey opposed to the difficulties of the United States about Syria, Gonul said, ''as far as I know, there is not such an opposition.'' Gonul recalled the process of deportation of Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization, from Syria, and the support expended by the United States in fight against the terrorist PKK organization.
Gonul said, ''now that Syrian leader is young and has a high intellectual capacity. We expect him to carry out a positive study. You can not chose your neighbors,'' stating that Turkey favored supporting of peaceful solution.
Responding to an evaluation that inflow of Iraqi Kurds to Mosul and Kirkuk meant ''passing Turkey's red line,'' Gonul said, ''this was not a red line. Our red line is formation of an independent Kurdish state in northern Iraq or any other place, and leaving Iraq's oil income to only one group.''
Stating that the United States promised that Turkey's red lines would not be passed, Gonul said this promise was kept so far.
When asked how post war situation in Iraq was perceived for Turkey, Gonul said he hoped that both Iraq and Turkey would benefit from this atmosphere, which does not have embargo, to improve relations.
When asked what would be the future function of Incirlik base, Gonul said, ''Incirlik is a NATO base and continues to operate.''
Responding to an evaluation that army kept silent during discussions of motion, Gonul said the army put forward its willingness with in the scope of legal platform, and recalled that during the National Security Council (NSC) meeting in January, a decision was taken for the United States to issue second resolution, and get the support of international community.
Stating that EU wanted the army adjust its hierarchic order with its standards, Gonul said they worked to meet the demands of the EU, and that some small changes were made within the scope of NSC.
(AY) 06.05.2003