ANKARA - Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee recalled that the U.N. Security Council had not made any resolution on dispatch of soldiers to Iraq yet and stated that India had a view for awaiting this resolution to answer to the demand on soldiers of the United States.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Vajpayee held a joint news conference on Wednesday.
Upon a question on the United States` demand on soldiers, Vajpayee said that when the U.N. Security Council took action, India would make its decision by taking all aspects in mind including its internal security.
Upon a question on India`s policy on the Middle East, Vajpayee said that they did not support ``vicious circle of violence`` in the region and stated that India conveyed this message to both sides.
Vajpayee said that they did not support the issue of sending Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to exile as Arafat was an elected leader.
Stating that Erdogan and he took up many issues and held a beneficial meeting, Vajpayee said that they aimed to increase trade volume between the two countries to 1 billion U.S. dollars in 2005. He added that Erdogan and he decided to form a working group under the chairmanship of ministers for economy.
Stressing that Turkish Airlines` (THY) starting its flights between Istanbul-New Delhi was of great importance for direct contact between peoples of the two countries, Vajpayee said that they invited a delegation from Turkey to India for civilian space technologies. He added that they also made a proposal on granting scholarship to 50 Turkish people who worked in that field.
Vajpayee said that the two countries also decided to form a working group on the issue of terror and stated that both countries suffered much from terrorism.
Vajpayee said that they decided that foreign ministers of the two countries should come together once a year at least and tourism and trade ministers should also have contact.

ERDOGAN: TURKISH TROOPS TO GO TO IRAQ FOR SECURITY, HAPPINESS AND ORDER OF Iraqi people
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that in case Turkey sends soldiers to Iraq, this would not be for security of any ethical element, but to restore order for Iraqi people.
Erdogan said in a joint news conference with Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, ``we would, of course, like to see the U.N. take a lead role. Moreover, Turkey contributes to U.N. initiative and sends 2-3 thousand lorries, loaded with food and medicine, to Iraq every day. We also started to expend support to infrastructure studies like electricity, water and oil,`` when a journalist reminded that United States requested soldiers also from India to be send to Iraq, and asked whether or not this issue was discussed.
Erdogan said Turkey sent delegations to the region to discuss details, stating that a decision would be taken after evaluation of those reports comprehensively.
Erdogan said Turkey considered dispatch of soldiers to Iraq as a responsibility of being a neighbor, and noted that Turkey considered this necessary to accelerate the process for Iraq to be a democratic legal country.
When an Indian journalist wanted evaluation from Erdogan about fight against terrorism, Erdogan said terrorism did not have a language, religion or nationality.
Erdogan said an international platform could be formed to fight against terrorism, recalling that Turkey lost around 40 thousand citizens because of terrorism.
Erdogan said, ``terrorism is terrorism in every country. Isn`t it terrorism when it happens in India, Middle East, or in the United States? We should make a clear assessment. Artificial or virtual terror or terrorists should not be produced. Terrorism should be eliminated wherever it is.``
Erdogan said, ``I also told the guest Prime Minister. Swedish Foreign Minister had been killed. I can not know exactly, but I think it was an extension of terrorism. I don`t think that she could be killed for a private reason. I hope that with the joint protocols we will sign, we will eliminate international terrorism.``
Indian Prime Minister Vajpayee told Erdogan that Taliban strengthened in Afghanistan, and Erdogan said Taliban would not constitute a problem in case administration in Kabul gains strength in the region.
(AY-AÖ) 17.09.2003