Tusiad Chairman Says He Doesn't Think A High-level Visit From Turkey To United States Will Be Beneficial

WASHINGTON - Tuncay Ozilhan, the Chairman of Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD), said on Wednesday that he did not think that visit paid in the high-level from Turkey to the United States would be beneficial, adding that the United States was not ready for that.
Ozilhan, who has held contacts with U.S. officials in Washington for two days, told Turkish reporters that there was not any appropriate atmosphere for such a visit.
Tuncay Ozilhan said that they perceived that there were some problems in Turkish-U.S. relations from the U.S. side and expressed belief that a visit paid in the level of undersecretary would be appropriate instead of a high-level visit.
Turkey should exert serious efforts to form a Middle Eastern vision when incidents were occurring instead of only following the incidents, Ozilhan noted.
Ozilhan pointed out that TUSIAD was also ready to contribute to the efforts to form Middle Eastern vision.
He believed that Turkey could undertake significant contracts in Iraq's reconstruction, Ozilhan said.
Ozilhan stated that geographical closeness, contracting experiences, advantage of transportation of food and consumption goods made Turkey a source country.
Turkey could more easily control the situation regarding ''formation of a privileged Kurdish region in the north of Iraq'' taking initiative and contributing to infrastructure of new formations instead of fears, Ozilhan said.
Ozilhan noted that the United States expressed disappointment about Iraq issue and as TUSIAD, they saw that Turkish-U.S. relations were ''damaged seriously.''
''The United States wants to see Turkey's vision in the Middle East. The ball is in Turkey's court. Turkey should clearly express its views,'' Ozilhan said.
Ozilhan continued, ''when the United States says the ball is in Turkey's court, they want to know what Turkey's decision for the future is. They are asking if they can rely on Turkey from now on.''
Claiming that there was ''a cold atmosphere in the United States towards Turkey like during the period of embargo,'' Ozilhan said, ''but, when compared with that period, the strategic importance of Turkey is known better. We believe it can be mended.''
When a reporter said that Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul planned to pay a visit to Washington, Ozilhan said, ''I don't think that a high-level visit will be beneficial. The atmosphere is not appropriate. A visit in the level of undersecretary can be paid. Some problems can be seen. I think the United States is not ready for this.''
Replying questions on attitude that Turkey would assume towards uneasiness of the United States about Iran and Syria, Ozilhan pointed out that the priority of the United States was fight against terrorism and added, ''we should put that pressure on Iran if there is also intelligence in our hand.''
Ozilhan noted that the thinking systematic of the United States had changed after September 11th terrorist attacks, adding that the United States had paid all its attention on fight against terrorism.
Ozilhan said that Turkey, which suffered a lot from terrorism, should cooperate with the United States when fighting against terrorism and stated that he believed that issues which contradicted with interests of Turkey could be overcome through dialogue with the United States.
Ilter Turkmen, who is a member of the delegation, said that the United States focused on Iran and Syria and stated that however, the United States should not feel concern over Turkey's relations with those countries.
Upon a question regarding preparations for formation of a privileged Kurdish region in north of Iraq, Ozilhan said, ''we saw during our contacts here that Turkish and American sides have a lack of confidence. The United States said that they had given Abdullah Ocalan to Turkey and they had recognized PKK/KADEK as terrorist organization. The United States is determined to sweep PKK terror in the region. Turkey should also back those policies. Turkey should also discuss privileged structure.''
Ozilhan said that Turkey should support formation and infrastructure and it should not create hostility toward formations.
When asked whether ''soldier-government relations was brought onto the agenda during his meeting with U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz, he said, ''no, such an issue was not brought onto the agenda.''
Ozilhan said that Turkey, as Muslim, democratic and secular country, was a model in the region and noted that it is out of question for Turkey to end its economic relations and dialogue with its neighbor countries.
He said that Turkey should put clearly forward its approaches when forming a Middle East vision.
Ozilhan said that there was a disappointment on Iraq issue in the United and noted, ''if Turkey earlier had put forward its position regarding Iraq issue, this disappointment could have not taken place.''
TUSIAD delegation will proceed to New York, after meeting with U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Marc Grossman, U.S. Treasury Undersecretary John Taylor and officials from White House.
(BRC-EÖ-MS) 28.05.2003