Gul: Both U.S. Officials And Authorities Had Information About Our Team

KAYSERI - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Saturday, ''both U.S. officials and authorities had information about our team in northern Iraq. A few hours ago, the commander of our forces in Silopi and an official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs left for Suleymaniyah with a delegation.''
Responding questions of journalists, Gul said, ''our team in northern Iraq went to the region seven years ago in order to settle peace between Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Massoud Barzani and Patriotic Union of Iraqi Kurdistan (PUK) leader Jalal Talabani.''
''Both U.S. officials and authorities had information about our team. According to the information we received yesterday that nearly 100-150 U.S. soldiers surrounded the building in which our twelve-member team was working, detained them and damaged the building while carrying out a search. As soon as we received this information, we have launched high-level initiatives both in Ankara and Washington D.C. We stressed that such an attitude is totally unacceptable. Overnight, I telephoned U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell. I told him that such an event is unacceptable and it should be resolved as soon as possible. It is an extremely distressing event. It should have not occurred,'' he stressed.
Noting that a delegation was sent to the region, Gul said, ''a few hours ago, the commander of our forces in Silopi and an official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs left for Suleymaniyah with a delegation. We hope that this event will be resolved as soon as possible. We were told that the U.S. officials had been trying to do their utmost. There have been friendly relations between Turkey and the United States for years. Such distressing events between the two allied countries are not beneficial to both sides. I believe that it was a local event.''
Responding a question about Americans' allegations about plans on assassination of the governor of Kirkuk, Gul said, ''none of these allegations are persuasive. They are nonsense. Turkey has been expending efforts for settlement of stability in Iraq. Members of the Turkish Armed Forces, our teams in the region do not attempt to do such a thing. It is out of question. As a country expending great efforts for settlement of stability in Iraq, these allegations are totally baseless and wrongful.''
Upon a question about reaction of Powell, Gul said, ''he expressed his sorrow. He told us that he would monitor developments and do whatever was necessary.''
Responding a question about Iraq, Gul said, ''Iraqi people have been suffering from many difficulties. We hope that peace and stability will be settled in Iraq and a civilian administration representing Iraqi people will take over political power. However, it will take time.''
(UK-MS) 05.07.2003