Gul: Passage Of Combatant Forces Is Out Of Question

ANKARA - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Thursday, ''Turkey's decision to provide countries, which will contribute to rebuilding of Iraq under the resolution of the United Nations Security Council no: 1483, with some facilities does not include passage of combatant forces.''
Responding questions of journalists following his meeting with members of the Parliamentary Adjustment Commission at Turkey's Secretariat General for the European Union (EU), Gul said, ''Turkey aims at making a contribution to humanitarian relief works in Iraq. We are obliged to do that in regard to our relations with neighboring countries.''
''The Constitution allows the decision. Jurists examined the issue in detail. Passage of combatant forces is out of question,'' he said.
When asked, ''there are some news stories claiming that the decision allowed passage of ammunition and soldiers. What will you say?'' Gul told reporters, ''resolution of the United Nations includes contributions to stability and security of Iraq. Therefore, these forces should not be considered combatant forces.''
''We do not want the current authority in Iraq to leave the country immediately. The current authority has some responsibilities including settlement of stability,'' he said.
Recalling that previous decisions did not include time limitations, Gul said that a period of one year was given for the latest decision.
(UK-AÖ) 26.06.2003