Turkey Does Not See Interim Government Council's Invitation To Send Soldier To Iraq As A Pre-condition

ANKARA - Turkey, while is pleased with the last decision of the United Nations Security Council regarding Iraq, it does not consider the invitation of Interim Government Council to send soldiers to Iraq as a pre-condition.
Diplomatic sources said on Friday that Ankara was pleased with the last decision of the United Nations which recognized the Interim Government Council in Iraq.
Noting that the decision, which provided the council to make invitation to some countries, would ease Turkey's sending soldiers to Iraq, diplomatic sources emphasized that on the other hand the invitation would not be a pre-condition for Ankara.
Diplomatic sources said that whether or not the invitation was made, Turkey would take a decision appropriate to its own national interests.
U.N. Security Council had emphasized on yesterday the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq in its decision and said the Government Council, which is formed in Iraq on July 13, 2003, is an important step taken on the path to form an Iraqi government that owns the capability of representation and is recognized in international field.
With the decision, a U.N. mission is being formed to help Iraq. The working period of the mission, which comprises nearly 300 personnel, will be one year. Mission will be concerned with the humanitarian and political issues and the rebuilding of the country.
(GC-AÖ) 15.08.2003