Gul: The Incident In North Of Iraq Was A Local One

ANKARA - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Wednesday that according to their first impression, detention of Turkish soldiers by U.S. forces in Sulaymaniyah, the north of Iraq, was a local incident.
Replying to questions of reporters if there was difference of opinion between them and the Office of General Staff whether the incident was local or not, Gul said that statements about the issue were sufficient.
Gul said, ''I think that the incident was local. We expect it to be so. This doesn't mean that it is 100 percent local. This is our first impression. Everything will become clear when inquired. This means the same with what the Chief of General Staff said. Therefore, there is not any difference.''
Asked if documents seized by U.S. soldiers from the bureau in Sulaymaniyah were given back, Gul said that some of the documents were given back to Turkey while some of them were not.
JONES' VISIT PROVES IMPORTANCE ATTRIBUTED TO THE INCIDENT
Gul said, ''Supreme Allied Commander and U.S. Forces in Europe Commander General James Jones' visit to Ankara proves importance attributed to the incident. As a result of Turkish-American joint fact-finding committee's works, facts and realities will be revealed.''
Responding questions of journalists, Gul said, ''The United States have some intelligence. We told them the intelligence was wrongful. Today, the issue will be taken up at the highest level. As the allied countries, we will investigate the incident without damaging confidence. General Jones' visit to Ankara proves importance attributed to the incident and to the relations with Turkey.''
Noting that the incident would be investigated objectively, Gul said, ''the facts and realities will be revealed at the end of the investigation.''
Responding another question about criticisms of some circles to Gul to cancel his visit to the United States, Gul said, ''we will assess the issue and act with a realistic manner.''
When asked whether or not recognition of draft about so-called Armenian genocide would affect his visit, Gul said that they would assess all details.
''The draft is not about administration. It is about the Congress. I want to stress that the U.S. administration is sensitive on the issue. In the end, parliaments take their decisions freely. Both Turkish lobby and the U.S. administration have been expending intense efforts,'' he said.
(UK-AÖ) 09.07.2003