KAYSERI - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Saturday that a decision, in line with Turkey's interests, would be taken regarded with sending soldiers to Iraq.
Speaking to reporters, Gul said they hoped people would benefit from Reassociation Law in the best way.
Gul said there were many ways of fighting against terrorism, and noted that Reassociation Law was an act aiming to destroy terrorist organizations.
Stating that the Law was the last opportunity given to nearly 2000 people who did not get involved in terrorist activities, Gul said, ''we hope they would benefit from this law in the very best way. As long as we see they started to benefit from the law.''
When asked whether or not Turkish soldiers would be sent to Iraq, Gul said, ''we are at the evaluation stage. Evaluation stage means gathering information and intelligence and holding meetings. Foreign Ministry, General Staff, and other related organizations of the state will of course hold meetings that would facilitate our government to take a decision.''
When asked about number of soldiers which the United States requested and which Turkey wanted to send, Gul said, ''those are under evaluation. We consider our relations with Iraq in a very broad perspective. We don't think of only sending soldiers, police and gendarme. When rebuilding of Iraq, preservation of territorial integrity, prevention of terrorist organization, the new constitution are considered in a broad vision, this may be perceived as a part of this. The government will take up this after evaluation process.''
(AY) 09.08.2003