IZMIT - National Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul said on Wednesday that yesterday's attack on Governor Cafer Akyuz of eastern province of Tunceli was a distressing event.
Responding questions of journalists, Gonul said, ''the event is extremely distressing. Yesterday, I was also acting as the interior minister. I held talks with Ministry of Interior Affairs officials and the Tunceli Governor's Office following the attack. Akyuz went to the region to hand over keys to villages, who have returned to their village under the Return to Village Program. It was understood that those who felt uneasy abut our program and terrorists wanted to give a message to the public opinion. In fact, they are aware of the fact that they cannot harm Turkey.''
''NONE OF OUR SOLDIERS HAVE BEEN TAKEN PRISONER, AND SUCH A THING CAN NEVER HAPPEN''
Replying a question which said, ''what do you think about U.S. forces' taking Turkish soldiers prisoner in northern Iraq for a short period of time?'' Gonul said, ''I want to correct it at first; it was not a 'prisoner of war' act. None of our soldiers have been taken prisoner, and such a thing can never happen. It is an upsetting event, but the Prime Minister has shown the necessary action. Bilateral relations have been put on normal track.''
When recalled of the statement of opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal who had said, ''Turkey should have given diplomatic note to the United States,'' Gonul said, ''situations which require a diplomatic note are clear. It was Mr. Baykal's personal opinion.''
(MS-AÖ) 09.07.2003