Erdogan: Iraqi People Are Almost Missing Saddam Era

ISTANBUL - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that Iraqi people were currently in a very serious trouble.
Erdogan attended a program broadcast on private Samanyolu television channel.
Stating that the U.S. soldiers which were applauded after Iraq war were considered as occupiers today, Erdogan said, ''this is very interesting. As far as information we have received, Iraqi people are almost missing Saddam era.''
Asked about the developments in dispatch of soldiers to Iraq, Erdogan said, ''evaluation process on dispatch of soldiers to Iraq continues. It is not yet over.''
Erdogan noted that they could hold a tripartite summit which would be attended by the president and the chief of general staff following the National Security Council (NSC) meeting.
''We don't want to be in this if we will cause problems there. The U.N. should lead the efforts. The situation of terrorist organization KADEK in north of Iraq is certain. Steps for their disarmament should be taken. Otherwise, this problem will continue to exist for Turkey. This problem should be solved. The Council of Ministers will not make a decision before this issue is solved and we see the result,'' Erdogan said.
Asked if ''Turkey received a clear response from the United States about elimination of KADEK's terrorists'', Erdogan said, ''the United States has accepted KADEK as the terrorist organization. This is pleasing for us but we want to see practices. If I don't see such a move from my strategic partner, what will I do? This is a serious problem.''
Erdogan stated that if a joint struggle platform was to be formed against international terrorism, it should be firstly established with strategic partner.
''This is the current situation. If we are forming a joint platform against it, we should put it into practice. Turkey has fulfilled its responsibilities so far. We have taken a step with the Reassociation Law. We are showing our good will. We also expect our partners to do the same thing,'' Erdogan said.
Erdogan went on saying, ''there is currently a very serious trouble in Iraq. U.S. soldiers were being applauded after the war. But, now they are considered occupiers. This is very interesting. As far as information we have received, Iraqi people are almost missing Saddam era.''
''What should be done there is to complete infrastructural works like electricity and water. There should be a United States which gains the sympathy of the Iraqi people. Turkey has the necessary infrastructure with its contractors and success in construction sector. Turkey can easily fulfil these efforts. Situation can change there in a very short time. If a step is taken, communication with Iraqi people will be very easier,'' Erdogan said.
Erdogan noted, ''during my meetings with not only Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee but also U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Eric Edelman, I said that we are not determined to take under guarantee any ethnical element there. We are trying to fulfil our obligations for happiness of Iraqi people.''
They were against sovereignty of an ethnical element over the other in Iraq, Erdogan said.
Erdogan reiterated that Turkey respected to territorial integrity of Iraq, adding, ''underground resources belong to all Iraqi people. Our target is the happiness of Iraqi people. Iraqi people should have a democratic state of law as soon as possible.''
(BRC-AY) 20.09.2003