Erdogan: Turkey Will Take Its Place In Rebuilding Process Of Iraq

ISTANBUL - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday, ''Turkey will take its place in the rebuilding process of Iraq.''
Prime Minister Erdogan visited the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce.
Speaking at the meeting, Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''some circles claimed that the Iraq crisis would have an extremely negative impact on Turkey while others alleged that the government would sell blood of our soldiers for U.S. dollars. Later, they criticized us for missing economic opportunities. I want to stress that our conscience is clear. We have taken all these steps by believing and being aware of them. Turkey has overcome this critical period with a good crisis management and without being damaged.''
Referring to developments in Iraq following the war, Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''everyday, 80-150 trucks transport foodstuff to Iraq via Turkey. The Red Crescent sent medical equipment and medicine to the region. Turkey has undertaken restoration of two hospitals in Iraq. Turkish contractors have begun signing agreements in Iraq. Turkey will take its place in the rebuilding process of Iraq. Luckily, the Iraq war lasted short. Now, political and physical rebuilding of Iraq should be completed as soon as possible. Turkey has great missions in this process, and Turkey has the power to accomplish them.''
''We are in favor of national unity and territorial integrity of Iraq. We defend that all assets of Iraq belonged to Iraqi people. However, our sensitivity against any action of the terrorist organization KADEK in northern Iraq has been continuing. We have to put forward our sensitivity,'' he added.
(UK-AÖ) 23.05.2003