ANKARA - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Monday that they planned to send the seventh adjustment package to parliament this week and that they expected the adoption of the package next week.
Speaking to reporters at Esenboga Airport before leaving for Istanbul where he will meet with Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou, Gul said that he would meet with CHP leader Deniz Baykal soon to give him information about the seventh package.
''Our plan is to send the package to the parliament this week. We believe that after its being discussed in the commissions, we can adopt it next week,'' said Gul.
Gul stressed that the programme of the parliament was very busy and for that reason the seventh adjustment package had to be adopted without losing time. Gul stated that a new package would not be in question from then on, adding that if necessary, laws could be amended one by one.
Upon a question, Gul stated that they would be careful in taking the views of institutions while adopting laws, adding that the views of General Staff were also important for them.
''Certainly all of these will contribute to making mature the draft we've prepared,'' said Gul, saying that the government hoped to get the support of non-governmental organizations and the Republican People's Party (CHP) about the package. Gul stated that the details of the content of the package would be announced within few days.
Gul stated that the studies of the Turkey-U.S. joint commission which was formed to inquire the detention of the Turkish soldiers in Iraq were expected to finish the same day.
Regarding the news saying that U.S. Central Commander Gen. John Abizaid, who took over the mission from Gen. Tommy Franks last week, would come to Turkey, Foreign Minister Gul confirmed that there were certain news about the issue, but an official information about it was not yet in question.
(Öª-AÖ) 14.07.2003