GAZIANTEP - Mosul Governor Ghanem al-Basso said on Wednesday that they would be pleased if the Turkish soldiers would come to help Iraqis.
Al-Basso, who holds contacts in southeastern Gaziantep province with an accompanying businessmen delegation, visited Gaziantep Industry Chamber (GSO). Upon a question, he said that they would be pleased with deployment of Turkish soldiers in Iraq to help and support Iraqi people.
Al Basso said in the meeting which brought together industrialists from Gaziantep and Mosul that they tried to improve commercial relations during their visit to Turkey, which continued for one week.
Al Basso said that they were grateful to Turkey for showing friendship, adding that when the problems in Habur were overcome, the two countries would make more trade. Turkey needed Iraq and Iraq needed Turkey, said Al Basso, adding that Turkey and Iraq were two neighbouring and friendly countries which complemented each other. He stressed that the two countries had to make cooperation to benefit from the natural resources of Iraq.
GSO Chairman Nejat Kocer said in his part that Gaziantep were the closest industry metropolis to Iraq, adding that all products needed by Iraq were produced in Gaziantep. Kocer said that relations with Iraq had to be improved in all fields, not only in commerce.
''The decision on Turkish troop deployment in Iraq is a beneficial decision which will contribute to overcoming the difficulties of Iraqi people. We will launch efforts to support the reconstruction of Iraq,'' Kocer said.
Gaziantep Trade Chamber (GTO) Chairman Mehmet Aslan said that Iraqi people and Gaziantep and its surrounding negatively affected from the U.N. embargo imposed on Iraq.
Aslan said that ''western countries always tried to prevent the trade between Turkey and Iraq due to commercial concerns. In fact all the things wanted by Iraq are found in Turkey, and we can sell them with cheaper prices. The decision of the parliament to send soldiers to Iraq is an important and correct decision for development and democratization of Iraqi people and for meeting the infrastructural needs. Turkish soldiers will go to Iraq to support Iraqi people.''
(Öª-AY) 08.10.2003