ANKARA - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that they would take a decision on dispatch of soldiers to Iraq as soon as possible. He added that the issue would also be taken up in the meeting of Council of Ministers after the view of the party group was taken and the issue would be concluded.
Erdogan attended a reception held on the occasion of opening of New Legislative Year.
Upon questions on dispatch of soldiers to Iraq, he said that studies on the issue continued and stated that assessments were being made.
When reminded recent developments on Cyprus issue, Erdogan said that Turkey and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas took steps which should be taken.
Erdogan said, ''we want our European friends to take positive steps on the issue and not to have double standards. If Cyprus is to be accepted to the EU, it is seen that Greek Cypriot side will be accepted to the Union. It does not comply with the Copenhagen political criteria. TRNC put forward its friendship and opened its gates and close region. Turkey, as a guarantor country, opened its gates to Greek Cypriots after 40 years. Despite positive developments, Greece does not open its gates to TRNC citizens. If the cheese and olive bought by Greek Cypriots in the North are seized in the South, and if they can demand imprisonment terms between 1-2 years for those who stay at a hotel in the North, this clearly shows at what point their mentality is. We want peace.'' Noting that Denktas was doing his best for this aim, Erdogan said that Annan's plan could be a frame and positive and negative aspects of this plan could be reviewed. Erdogan underlined that when the plan was reviewed, the sides should not say 'all mine' and a middle path should be found.
When reminded a U.S. delegation came to Ankara to discuss the issue of PKK/KADEK terrorist organization and asked what Turkey's expectation was before the decision of dispatch of soldiers, Erdogan said, ''those are not bargaining issues. We gave General Staff necessary authorities on this issue. General Staff continues talks. What we won't is that since we struggle against international terrorism and our American friends accepted PKK/KADEK as a terrorist organization; if we see an action on the issue it will make Turkish people more comfortable.'' ''
Upon a question on timing of the issue, Erdogan said that they did not have any timing on the issue and stated that they were exerting efforts to reach a result as soon as possible.
(EÖ-AÖ) 01.10.2003