Gul: U.S. Higher Administration Does Not Have Any Information About The Event

KAYSERI - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Saturday, ''the U.S. higher administration does not have any information about detention of Turkish soldiers in northern Iraq.''
Responding questions of journalists, Gul said, ''this is a local event. After receiving information about the event, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Robert Pearson called the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the phone and talked to my advisor. He expressed his regret over the incident. I believe that it was a local event. Washington administration does not have information. We requested the United States to investigate those, who are responsible for the event. Also, our delegation, which left for northern Iraq earlier in the day, will send information soon.''
Upon a question, Gul said that strategic partnership between Turkey and the United States had been continuing.
''I will go to the United States in the coming days upon invitation of the United States,'' he said.
When asked whether or not ousted leader Saddam Hussein was in Iraq, Gul said, ''I do not suppose that Saddam is in Iraq. A person like him cannot hide himself in Iraq for a long time. However, this is my personal view.''
(UK-MS) 05.07.2003