Gul: Turkish Soldiers Acted Calmly And With Responsibility

ESKISEHIR - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Saturday that talks regarded with detention of Turkish soldiers in Iraq continued, stating that, ''during the talks of the delegation, it was seen that Turkish soldiers acted calmly and in responsibility.''
Responding to the questions of reporters about detention of Turkish soldiers in Iraq, attitude of Bafel Talabani, the son of Jalal Talabani, the leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), in filming the raid on Turkish soldiers in north of Iraq, and the peshmergas that plundered the building, Gul said, ''what is important at the time being is to reveal the incidents.''
Stressing the importance of Iraq's reaching stability, Gul said, ''Turkish-U.S. Joint Commission work on basis of mutual confidence. I think everything will be revealed next week. Everything is brought into daylight as a result of joint studies and investigations. Who caused the incident and how it happened will be determined. Turkish-U.S. future is very important. All those should be settled on a healthy basis.''
Gul said the issue was taken up in the highest level.
''NATO Chairman came. Later, a delegation in the level of generals was formed. The issue is examined in detail. They have gone to Iraq. Talks were held with both the Americans and the soldiers who were exposed to those incidents. It was seen that Turkish soldiers acted calmly and in responsibility. If the Turkish soldiers did not act in discipline, very grave incidents could take place.''
(AY-BRC) 12.07.2003