ANKARA - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul returned from the United States to Ankara on Sunday.
Speaking to reporters at Ankara's Esenboga Airport, Gul said that Turkey and the United States had the determination to act together in northern Iraq.
Stating that they received positive answers from U.S. officials about the package of measures presented by Turkey for Iraq, Gul said that Turkey's sending soldiers to Iraq was not yet discussed by the government. Gul noted that Turkish Armed Forces' (TSK) view on the issue was important and stated that he would convey the issue to the government and the prime minister would assess the issue.
Gul added, ''whatever Turkey's interests require, it will be done.''
GUL: A NEW DETERMINATION IS IN QUESTION TO CARRY OUT MANY WORK IN REGION BY COMMUNICATION
Gul said that both Turkey and the United States had special forces in northern Iraq and stated that a new determination was in question to carry out many work in the region by communication.
Upon a question on some news stories which claimed that Turkish and U.S. special forces performed joint maneuvers in northern Iraq, Gul said, ''as you know, both Turkey and the United States have special forces in northern Iraq. A new determination is in question to carry out many work in the region by communication.''
Stating that any specific time was not given regarding Turkey's sending soldiers to Iraq and this was not a matter that would become clear today or tomorrow, Gul said that the issue would be assessed within the government. Gul added that they would take the view of relevant institutions and stressed that Turkish Armed Forces' (TSK) view was also very important in that process.
''Whatever Turkey's interests require, it will be done. Turkey cannot be indifferent to things taking place in its neighbor country. It has to monitor closely what happens there,'' he stated.
Gul said that they received positive answers from U.S. officials about the package of measures presented by Turkey for Iraq.
Upon a question regarding allegation of Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou who said that AK Party would intervene in some decisions of the Supreme Military Council (YAS), Gul said that he did not think that a foreign minister of a country would make statements about internal affairs of another country and added that Papandreou was an experienced foreign minister and politician.
GUL: BOTH TURKEY AND U.S. CONFIRMED THAT TURKISH ECONOMY GIVES SOUND SIGNS
Gul said that both the U.S. and Turkey confirmed together that the Turkish economy gave sound signs during his visit to the U.S.
Gul stressed that the resolution of Turkey in implementing reform packages was appreciated by the U.S.
Responding to questions of journalists about the possible 1 billion dollars of donation or 8.5 billion dollars of credit from the U.S., Gul stated that ''there is no problem, certain applications will be made officially about this issue in the coming days.''
Gul stated that Turkey became a base for Iraq particularly for sending humanitarian aid there, adding that ''Turkey is involved in a great cooperation. For that reason we were waiting for the fifth review to be completed, because transition to sound economy and implementation of sound economic programme was very important. We are continuing on our way without giving any concessions. Developments will take place about this issue in the coming days.''
Referring to Cyprus issue in the news conference, Gul said that he explained confidence building measures in Cyprus during his contacts in the U.S. and that these measures were appreciated in Washington. ''We hope that all of these will contribute to a lasting peace,'' said Gul. Noting that no unilateral step should be taken in that process, Gul stated that the Greek Cypriot side's supporting the last step of TRNC was pleasing.
Giving information about his contacts in the U.S., Gul stated that bilateral relations were reviewed. Noting that Turkish-American relations could not only be reduced to the simpler state of Iraq, Gul stressed that the relations had a multidimensional and broad character and in that respect his visit to the U.S. could not only be related to Iraqi issue.
Gul stressed that both sides underlined the importance of strategic relations between the two countries and that the relations could not be left to chances and time, adding that both sides put forward political resolution to further improve the alliance relationship.
Gul stated that he also explained Turkey's view on Iraq and the policy about Turkmens and north of Iraq in his contacts, adding that the issue of combat with terrorism was also taken up in details.
Gul stated that he conveyed the uneasiness of Turkey to the U.S. due to the inclusion of Turkey in the third category of the human rights report published by the U.S. Stressing that an unjust treatment was made to Turkey, Gul said he explained the laws adopted and the steps recorded about this issue in Turkey to American officials.
GUL: TURKEY STRONGLY SUPPORTS INITIATIVE OF DECREASING POVERTY OF PALESTINIAN PEOPLE
Gul said that U.S. President George W. Bush announced that the U.S. would take measures to decrease the poverty of Palestinian people, adding that Turkey strongly supported that initiative.
Gul stated that Turkey thought of taking similar steps. ''Lessening the economic difficulties of Palestinian people will be an important step in applying the road map,'' Gul said.
''Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas announced in his meeting with U.S. President Bush that Bush would take measures to lessen the poverty of Palestinian people. We really support strongly this initiative and we plan taking similar steps,'' Gul said.
Gul said during his meeting with Abbas he stressed the contribution of Turkey to the peace and told Abbas that Turkey was ready to do what was necessary in case of such need. Noting that the vision of the U.S. and Turkey for the Middle East was similar, Gul said that ''this is democratization, human rights, transparency, liberal economic reconstruction and fight with weapons of mass destruction. Everybody knows that Turkey supports the Middle East peace process.''
Gul stated that he also explained his views about the issue to American officials.

(Öª) 27.07.2003