BRESCIA - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Saturday that they have received preliminary information from the Turkish delegation which was in Iraq for inspection and added that there was big confidence in Turkey in the region.
Gul arrived in Brescia, Italy to attend the second day meetings of the unofficial meeting of the European Union (EU) foreign ministers.
Speaking to reporters on the plane, Gul said that a part of Turkish delegation comprised of members of Foreign Ministry, National Intelligence Organization (MIT) and Office of General Staff who visited Iraq arrived in Ankara yesterday and another part of the delegation would come to Ankara tomorrow. He added that they would make a detailed evaluation on Monday.
Gul said, ''according to the report, there is big confidence in Turkey.'' He added that it was seen that Iraqi people were very uneasy about British and American forces.
Noting that this situation was normal, Gul said, ''they don't know the region and they have a different psychology.''
Stating that Iraqi people had sympathy for Turkey as it did not enter war, Gul said, ''they all know that we will go there to bring peace and to meet their needs, not as a part of invasion.''
When recalled about the statements of Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, Gul said that nobody was the representative of his own ethnical group but he/she was the representative of all Iraq. He added that Zebari was in that position temporarily.
Noting that one should be very careful when releasing such statements, Gul said that people could harm their own countries by such statements.
Gul said that Turkmens, Kurds and Arabs were relatives of Turkish people and added that those groups could stand on their feet in the last decade thanks to Turkey. Gul noted that they would need assistance of Turkey in long term and Turkey would be pleased to extend this support.
Noting that it was necessary to act responsibly for the peace and tranquility of regional people, Gul said, ''it is necessary to avoid attitudes which will harm this.''
Gul said that if there were stability and confidence in the region, mutual economic activity would start and resources of all region would be shared.
Stating that economic cooperation could be provided this way, Gul said, ''we do not have an eye on anybody's lands and resources.''
Gul said that a delegation from interim governing council of Iraq would hold meetings in Turkey in coming days.
Upon a question, Gul said that a resolution of the United Nations Security Council would help everybody and Ankara was studying on a draft.
(GC-BRC) 06.09.2003