ANKARA - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Sunday that both sides would benefit from Turkey's membership to the European Union (EU), stating that, ''we will not sit and cry if we can not enter the EU. The EU should cry if it misses Turkey.''
Speaking at a tv program in private ATV channel, Gul said Turkey would continue to progress on its path if it can not enter the EU, adding that, ''the EU will gain much from a country like Turkey, which has a strong army.''
Gul said what was referred to in the last National Security Council (NSC) statement, and what was meant by fundamental characteristics of the republic, was the target to reach the level of civilized countries.
Stating that it was free to speak in Kurdish in Turkey, Gul said, ''there are Kurdish books, newspapers and publishing. There may be difficulty as the practices are not in harmony with the regulations. Sometimes there may be regulations binding the courts. Those will be adjusted with reform packages.''
Gul said constitutional change on the way to harmonize with the EU depended on the support of the Republican People's Party (CHP), adding that, ''in case they openly declare their support, and in case there can be consensus, there may be changes.''
Foreign Minister Gul said the letter, which came to General Staff from the United States two days ago included contributions which Turkey made during Iraq war, and Turkish-U.S. relations.
Pointing out that there was chilliness period after motion crisis, Gul said, ''there is an article which had been sent to our Chief of General Staff two days ago. It includes contributions which Turkey made during Iraq war, Turkish-U.S. relations, and importance of Turkey and Turkish Armed Forces.''
Speaking about existence of Turkish soldiers in northern part of Iraq, Gul said, ''military forces in the region should control there. Terrorist elements which hold activities against Turkey should not be allowed to shelter there. We will stay in the region till this problem is solved.''
Gul said, ''we do not have an eye on territory of another country, we don't want to be on the territories of another country.''
Gul said the problem between Turkey and Greece on the Aegean was whether or not air space was six miles or 10 miles, stating that, ''there can not be flights above six miles intentionally. However, the distance is very narrow. Thus, there can be times that we violate their air space, and they violate our air space.''
Gul said perception of the world about Cyprus was that Turkey considers insolubility and solution, and noted that, ''even if President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) says Annan plan died, the important thing is to have a satisfactory text. Those that could not be done for 25 years on Cyprus, were done in two months.''
Gul said border gate with Armenia was not on the agenda at the time being, yet that there was no reason to have this issue on the agenda in the future.
''There is not border gate at the moment, but why won't it be in the future?'' Gul asked, pointing out that they wanted good neighborhood relations with Armenia. Gul said, ''we don't have anything to be ashamed of in history. We had not assimilated anybody.''
Pointing out that he also heard the rumors that ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein smuggled 12 billion U.S. dollars from Iraqi Central Bank and that some of this money had come to Turkey and was invested in treasury shares, Gul said those were not right.
Responding to a question which said, ''you put an annotation on decisions of Supreme Military Council. Will Prime Minister Erdogan act like you during August 30 Council meeting,'' Gul said, ''Supreme Military Council meetings are closed. It is saddening that the decisions are leaked, but everything takes place in line with laws. Constitutional Court and Council of State Chairman say that decisions of Supreme Military Council should be opened to the control of jurisdiction. We should not create an atmosphere for misunderstandings. We focus on several other things at the moment.''
(AY-BRC) 29.06.2003