Cicek: Iraq Issue Should Be Evaluated By Considering 57-year History Of Turkish - U.S. Relations

ANKARA - Justice Minister Cemil Cicek said on Wednesday that Iraq issue should be evaluated by considering 57-year history of Turkish-U.S. relations. He said Turkey considered the developments in Iraq in this respect. Cicek said, ''Turkey is a friend of the United States, and this friendship should never be preferred to two tribe leaders.''
Cicek met with U.S. delegation headed by Chairman of U.S. Senate Foreign Affairs Committee Richard Lugar.
Speaking to reporters following the meeting, Cicek said they discussed Turkish-U.S. relations and the studies carried out in Turkey regarded with the European Union (EU). He said they also discussed what had been done in Turkey for EU membership and what would be done.
Cicek said United States always expended support to Turkey to fulfill its EU target, adding that, ''I told them that we wish for the continuation of this support.''
Cicek said Cyprus was also discussed at the meeting, pointing out that, ''our attitude pertaining to Cyprus is definite. I told them that there were things which Turkey may give up or may not give up for the solution of Cyprus question. I said Cyprus question could be solved in a short time during talks in case the things which Turkey can not give up are met.''
Cicek said such a high ranking visit from the United States brought Turkish-U.S. relations onto the agenda.
Justice Minister Cicek pointed out that during the meeting he stated that Turkish-U.S. relations had a 57-year old past, and that relations improved in favor of both countries during this time.
''However, I also stated that there were breaking points from time to time. Weapon embargo and opium issues had been among those. There are incidents which we experienced in the last period. Our relations are positive when those are left aside. I tried to explain that it would be better to look at future instead of looking at the breaking points. What can be done for this? Those breaking points should be evaluated very well.''
Cicek said that the Iraqi issue also came to agenda during the meeting, adding that everybody had to assess well the process. Cicek said that there were certain aspects which had to be taken into consideration in respect of Turkish-American relations.
''Turkey is a friend of America and this friendship should not be preferred to a few tribe leaders. This is very important for us. Secondly, Turkey can have some economic difficulties, but money is not a determining factor in relations between the two countries. Turkey has some expectations, there are certain issues to which Turkey attributes importance. We believe that the relations will be better when all these factors are taken into account,'' Cicek said.
Noting that they also took up the issue of corruption during the meeting, Cicek said that corruption was on the agenda of Turkey. Countries which have relation with Turkey monitored these issues, Cicek said. Cicek stated that he received the Dutch Ambassador to Turkey before meeting with the U.S. delegation and they also took up the issue of corruption. Pointing out that Turkey had to take this issue out from its agenda, Cicek said that everybody had to do his utmost to prevent corruption.
When a journalist reminded the words of the chairman of the U.S. delegation who said that he discussed the issue of keeping some children in Turkey, Cicek said that ''the issue is not related to Iraq. There are disputes between Turkish and American citizens in three issues if the mother or father of children are Turkish. The children were brought to Turkey. There is a trial process about the return of children, this is what he meant. We experience similar problems with other countries. The custody of children having Turkish mother or father constitutes a problem. If parents divorce, the custody of children constitutes a problem.''
''The U.S. response to the set of questions was submitted yesterday. Did you discuss this issue?'' asked journalists to Cicek who said that ''no, we didn't discuss those issues in the meeting. On Monday, the government will convene. These issues will come to the agenda of the Council of Ministers. But this issue is a multidimensional issue. The issue is not only that of sending soldiers. This issue has 5-6 dimensions. There are economic, legal, political, intelligence and military dimensions of the issue. Therefore, after making evaluations in all these dimensions, a decision has to be given. If sending soldiers is considered as useful at the end of the evaluations, then a motion can be submitted.''
Upon another question, Cicek said that ''if Turkey decides to send soldiers to Iraq, it must explain the reasons of it well to the public opinion.''

GONUL: ''TURKEY'S SENDING SOLDIERS TO IRAQ IS BEING DISCUSSED IN ALL ASPECTS''
Gonul received Chairman of U.S. Senate Foreign Affairs Committee Richard Lugar.
Speaking during the meeting, Gonul said that Lugar paid a courtesy visit.
Noting that they took up all dimensions of Turkish-U.S. relations particularly defense issues during the meeting, Gonul said that Turkey-U.S. relations had a long past.
Gonul stated that Turkey took part in more than 20 military missions together with the U.S. like the ones in Afghanistan and Bosnia, adding that ''the government considers the U.S. as its closest friend and a big partner in foreign affairs. I consider this visit as a very important step.''
''Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said that the attack on U.N. headquarters in Baghdad would not affect Turkey's sending soldiers to Iraq. What is your opinion?'' asked a journalist to Gonul who said that ''the issue of Turkey's sending soldiers to Iraq is being examined in all aspects for the moment. As you know, the U.S. replied to our set of questions. These are technically examined. Certainly, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will take this incident into account. I agree with Foreign Minister that this was not an issue that directly concerns us. Yet all factors will be taken into account in a sensitive issue like sending soldiers abroad.''
Richard Lugar said in his part that Turkey and the U.S. had close relations as NATO allies, adding that the two countries worked together in countries such as Somali, Bosnia and Afghanistan.
Lugar stated that Turkey and the U.S. acted together for installation of peace in the Middle East, adding that they, as parliamentarians, came to Turkey to explain the sensitivity in their country.
Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok also received Lugar the same day.

GUL: ''WE SHOULD REACH SOME INFORMATION TO TAKE A DECISION ON SENDING OF SOLDIERS TO IRAQ''
Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Wednesday that the government should reach some information to take a decision on sending of soldiers to Iraq.
Replying a question of Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Balikesir Parliamentarian Turan Comez, Gul said, ''we should be sure of everything in case of sending of Turkish troops will be in question. We should know many things. We received some information. Delegations will come in the coming days, and the issue will be discussed.''
When asked whether or not the talks would take place before the motion, Gul said, ''obviously we should reach some information to take a decision.''
When reminded of the news reports which said that the answers sent by the United States could not satisfy the government, Gul reiterated that those were general pre-information, and that many other talks would take place.
Meanwhile Gul stated that Turkish search and rescue team which left for Iraq today arrived in Baghdad.
Gul said that following the attack on the U.N. building in Baghdad, a Turkey was asked to send a search and rescue team because of its previous successes, adding that a ten-member team was sent in this respect.
Gul said they received the information that there were still many other people under the rubble, adding that, ''we hope that our team would contribute to efforts to rescue those people.''
Replying another question, Gul said Iraq could not be left in this situation.
Stressing that everyone should do his/her utmost to bring order to the region, Gul said that external powers should withdraw from the region as soon as possible, and Iraqi people who would govern Iraq should come to power.
Gul said that Turkey started to do important things within the scope of humanitarian aid to people in the region after the war in Iraq and stated that Turkey became a center in regard to humanitarian aid.
Foreign Minister Gul said that Red Crescent (Kizilay) carried out research in the region and it decided that constructing two hospitals in the region would be appropriate and the Iraqi Red Crescent proposed to allocate two separate areas for construction.
Stating that those areas were in centre of Kirkuk and Baghdad, Gul said that necessary initiatives were launched, and two projects were prepared. Gul said that a 19-member delegation would go to Baghdad on Thursday, and those areas would be allocated, necessary studies would be made, and construction of hospitals would start.
Noting that they aimed to finish construction of hospitals within three months, Gul said, ''we believe that it would be the biggest contribution to Iraqi people. If your neighbor does not have tranquility, you cannot have tranquility, either.''
Gul said that normalizing Iraq and fulfilling services of humanitarian aid were their duties, and it was important to give permanent housing units to Iraqi people.
When asked how security would be provided when the delegation went to the region, Gul said that every kind of measure was taken and recalled that the United States ensured security in the region.
Gul said that there was security which was ensured by Turkey and the United States. He said that the team would not go to Iraq for holiday and added that the team would have a holy mission in a problematic region.
When asked whether or not he would go to Iraq to attend ceremonies to mark foundation of those hospitals, Gul said, ''it is possible. However, the process of construction activities should start first.''

(Öª-AÖ-EÖ-AY-MS) 20.08.2003