ANKARA - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Monday that the U.S. administration knew about Turkey's experiences regarding Iraq and its possible contributions to Iraq, so it was ready to cooperate with Ankara.
Speaking on NTV television channel, Gul said that if Turkey would not send soldiers to Iraq, this could not mean that Turkish-U.S. relations would end, adding, ''these are discussed, and interests and benefits are assessed. You do things in line with your interests and understanding of alliance and regional understanding, and everybody understands and shows respect to your decisions.''
When asked whether or not they had received anything from U.S. officials, which could mean an apology due to Sulaimania crisis, Gul said that U.S. officials knew well how the incident had destroyed the image of the United States in the Turkish society, and the manner of their expression reflected the sorrow over the incident.
Recalling that any evidence could not be shown during the Turkish-U.S. delegations' meeting on the event to affirm the allegation which had been said as the cause of the detention crisis, Gul said he had explained ''how such events created tense atmosphere even in closest ally, such things were not beneficial to both sides, and a work should be carried out on the issue'' to U.S. officials.
When recalled of remarks of Iraqi Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) leader Jalal Talabani who had said, ''there should not be any Turkish troops in northern Iraq'', Gul said, ''we have to have a separate invitation for our being a part of the job there. The Iraqi Interim Council including Talabani and (Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party-KDP leader Massoud) Barzani should make an invitation to us.''
When asked what things had been discussed about PKK/KADEK during his meetings in the United States, Gul recalled that the organization was in the U.S.'s list of the terrorist organizations, adding that a country which had the position of the authority in the region could not allow an organization which it called terrorist so it would take all measures including military measures if it was seen necessary.
Noting that he saw the United States determined in this issue, Gul said, ''I asked the U.S. officials I met in Washington what they would do if there were one hundred or one hundred and fifty al-Qaida militants in Turkey. About this issue, we will also be in coordination with Iran and Syria.''
Gul said, ''regarding Iraq issue, I told U.S. officials that this country should be left within its own dynamics, and any external intervention would not be positive.''
Recalling that the Armenian bill had not passed from the U.S. Congress as a result of efforts of U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, Gul said that steps should be taken on the Karabakh issue to normalize the situation in the region, and he made a call to Armenia to this end.
Stressing that Turkey wanted to be a friend of Armenia and everybody in the region to live in peace and happiness, Gul said, ''however, you can't act as if nothing happens there as long as invasion of Karabakh continues.''
Replying a question, Gul stressed that the Jewish lobby had not recommended him ''not to meet with (Palestinian leader Yasser) Arafat'' during his meeting in the United States.
Defining the Middle East peace talks as an opportunity in Israel-Palestine peace process, Gul said he had told Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas and other Palestinian officials whom he had met in the United States that Turkey attributed importance to implementation of the ''road map'' and wanted to undertake active role in peace process.
(MS-AÖ) 28.07.2003