ANKARA - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Thursday that it was unthinkable that the United States would not fight against a terrorist organization which was included in its own list of terrorist organizations.
Gul, who returned from his visit to New York, Brussels and Rome, replied to questions.
When he was recalled about news that the U.S. loan to Turkey was conditioned on Turkey's non-existence in north of Iraq, Gul said that the decision of the U.S. Congress did not bind Turkey and there was nothing related with Turkish existence in north of Iraq in the loan agreement.
Gul stated that the U.S. Congress took a decision in April as a part of assistance to countries which suffered losses due to Iraq war and noted that the decision was ''one-sided.''
Turkey did not make any demand within that framework, Gul pointed out.
Gul said that the U.S. State Department applied to the Congress to activate the loan with a report. Stating that the decision was suspended for 15 days, Gul said that nobody rejected.
Everybody knew about Turkey's presence in north of Iraq in that process, Gul noted.
Gul said, ''there is nothing binding Turkey. Turkey may not take the loan if it doesn't suit with its interests.''
Pointing out that a mechanism was established within that framework, Gul said that mechanism would operate if there was any problem and talks would be held within 90 days.
Gul noted that loan would either continue or stop according to results of talks.
Stressing that settlement of stability in Iraq as soon as possible was important for Turkey, Gul said that there was nothing related with Turkish existence in north of Iraq in the loan agreement.
Replying to a question on dispatch of soldiers to Iraq, Gul said that a statement could be made after he told the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers about his impressions.
Gul said that Turkey would make a decision soon and noted, ''evaluations are about to be completed and the parliament has opened.''
Asked about talks between Turkey and the United States on fight against terrorism, Gul said that none of probabilities was excluded.
Gul stated that the United States expressed its determination and added, ''it is unthinkable that the United States will not fight against a terrorist organization which is included in its own list of terrorist organizations.''
(BRC-AÖ) 02.10.2003