Yalcin: It Is A Common Duty And Responsibility Of International Public To Extend Assistance And Support To Iraqi People

ANKARA - Lieutenant General Metin Yavuz Yalcin, head of military operations of the General Staff, said on Monday that it was a common duty and responsibility of international public to extend assistance and support to Iraqi people.
Yalcin held a press briefing at the General Staff Headquarters on dispatch of soldiers to Iraq to contribute to security and stability in that country.
Lieutenant General Yalcin said, ''it is a reality learned at the end of painful experiences that Iraq's security has very bad and direct effects on Turkey's security.''
Yalcin noted that developments, which started with the intervention of coalition forces pioneered by the United States in Iraq on March 20 and which turned into an operation of stability after May 1, closely concerned Turkey.
''Preservation of territorial integrity and national unity of Iraq and formation of a new democratic administration which will take under guarantee rights and liberties of all Iraqi citizens is an obligation for security and tranquility of not only for regional countries but also international community. Therefore, it is a common duty and responsibility to extend assistance and support to Iraqi people,'' Yalcin said.
Yalcin went on saying, ''priority to ensure humanitarian aid and support needed by Iraqi people by ensuring security and tranquility in Iraq as soon as possible is of utmost importance. Gradual deterioration of current atmosphere in Iraq can lead to an internal conflict and even cause a possibility of Iraq's division. Possible activities of terrorist organizations in such an atmosphere are important risks that should be taken into consideration.''
''Also, it is a reality learned at the end of painful experiences that Iraq's security has very bad and direct effects on Turkey's security. Turkey has been exposed to several security threats and risks stemming from developments in its vicinity and especially situation in Iraq for years and has paid very heavy costs,'' Yalcin said.
Yalcin stated that a liaison team commanded by a general was sent to U.S. Central Command in Tampa, Florida on August 18, 2003 in order to accelerate the flow of information.
The government authorized the General Staff by a directive on August 5 to have direct talks with the United States in order to make evaluations which would help a final political decision on contributions to stabilization force, Yalcin said.
Yalcin went on saying, ''within the scope of the authorization granted by the government, the General Staff asked some written questions to U.S. military authorities in order to illuminate general military evaluations, evaluated the responses. And, a meeting was held to take up the issues to be illuminated.''
''In this meeting which was held in General Staff Headquarters on September 4, Turkish and U.S. officials exchanged views on general and special duties that the Turkish stabilization force can be charged in Iraq, possible regions where Turkey can serve, U.S. risk assessment about possible regions to serve, structure of current U.S. military forces in these regions and their situation of deployment, how command-control relations will be conducted in case Turkey decides to send troops to Iraq, experiences and outcome of operations currently staged in these regions,'' Yalcin added.

FORMATION OF A DIVISION SECTOR AND OPERATION OF OUR UNITS UNDER THE ORDER AND COMMAND OF A TURKISH COMMANDER ARE CONSIDERED AS BASIS

Yalcin said that, ''whatever its field of deployment would be, formation of division sector within general structuring, and operation of the units in this division sector under order and command of a Turkish commander are taken as basis'', stating that full agreement was reached with the coalition officials on the issue.
Lieutenant General Yalcin said there were three possible deployment areas for Turkish soldiers, stating that, ''we intensify our studies on the Salahuddin city and region including Firat (Euphrates) axis of Al Anbar city and northern part of Al Anbar city.''
Yalcin said a delegation formed under the coordination of Foreign Ministry including representatives from General Staff, had gone to Iraq between August 22 and September 4 aiming to evaluate approaches of Iraqi people and the tribes. Yalcin said also a meeting was held with the leaders of tribes in Ankara. He said the information that was obtained from the meetings provided important input for military evaluations.
Yavuz Yalcin said around 157,000 personnel from more than 30 countries were currently acting within the stability force.
Lieutenant General Metin Yavuz Yalcin said, ''the most important issue reached in military sense regarding our participation in stabilization force is the determination of region of deployment.''
Lieutenant General Yalcin said, ''as a requirement of nature of a multinational military operation, our troops would act in full cooperation with U.S. commander responsible for whole of Iraq,'' noting that this was described in military literature as operation control and did not bring any limitation to Turkish commander under the agreements which had been signed before. He said, ''in fact such a relationship is currently carried out in multi-national NATO operation carried out in Bosnia, Kosovo, and Afghanistan.''
Lieutenant General Yalcin said they were evaluating regions of deployment in military sense, stating that the regions were evaluated taking into consideration the climate conditions, its effects on logistic support, command control and communication, and current risk factors.

SOME RISKS WILL BE FACED IN IRAQ IRRESPECTIVE OF PLACE OF MISSION

Yalcin said that reports indicated that some risks would be faced in Iraq irrespective of the region where Turkish soldiers would serve.
Every military operation had a risk, Yalcin noted and went on saying, ''reports indicate that some risks will be faced in Iraq irrespective of the region where our soldiers will serve. But, it is not possible to estimate the risks. Possibly, points of view of local people and tribes towards our soldiers and changes in atmosphere of security in Iraq will determine the magnitude of risks.''
Yalcin said, ''but, it is possible to come across with unexpected incidents. For example, a terrorist attack which can be staged in a very calm atmosphere, irrespective of how strong our intelligence is, like the September 11th terrorist attacks is always possible.''
''Determination of region where Turkish soldiers will serve is under the authority of the government as stated in the motion adopted by parliament. Therefore, we will inform the government about results of our initiatives soon and our preparations will have a new dimension according to the directive given to us. In other words, a reconnaissance team will be sent to the region which will be under our control and we will clarify the structure of forces to be deployed there according to information we receive from our team,'' Yalcin noted.
Yalcin added, ''I would like to state that it is too early to mention any number related with soldiers to be deployed in Iraq.''
There were two approaches to planning method in general, Yalcin said.
Yalcin went on saying, ''first of all, you will choose the region where you will serve and then, you shape up your forces. Or, you will put forth your current forces and capabilities and then choose your region. Our evaluations in line with our national interests have shown that it will be better to firstly determine the region where we will serve and then to shape up our forces in order to contribute to security and stability of Iraq.''
''We don't have any problems with the United States about our approach to planning method. All activities are carried out in a very detailed and flexible schedule. It is not possible for me to give more details about some operational issues and the timetable,'' Yalcin said.
Yalcin emphasized that statements that were not based on accurate information had a danger of misdirecting expectations of the public.
''For example, statements that there are reservations about the path of logistical supply don't reflect the realities. Turkey will of course use roads and railways of Iraq in transfer of logistic support and supplies in case it goes to Iraq. Moreover, the United States doesn't have any reservations about this issue. Statements that Ovakoy will be opened to be used by Turkish Armed Forces as an alternative of Habur are not accurate and don't help any solution. As it is known, humanitarian aid and trade traffic to Iraq has started to cause difficulties for Habur. Therefore, Ovakoy will be complementary of Habur not its alternative,'' Yalcin said.
Yalcin went on saying, ''in case soldiers are sent to Iraq, naturally all possibilities including Habur will be used. News on crises after the motion doesn't reflect the facts. I have told you about the process of choosing the place of mission. Therefore, negotiations should not be perceived as crises. News that the General Staff sent a note to all departments and wanted the names of voluntary officers and non-commissioned officers who will go to Iraq doesn't reflect the facts.''
''TSK can't have an alternative to carry out mission voluntarily. TSK is present to fulfil every duty,'' Yalcin added.
Yalcin noted that they saw that joint fight with the United States against the terrorist organization PKK/KADEK was sometimes correlated with participation in stabilization force in Iraq.
''PKK/KADEK is a vital issue for Turkey. Turkey will continue fight against this terrorist organization and its cooperation with the United States, who considers this organization a terrorist organization, whether or not it takes part in the stabilization force. In other words, joint fight with the United States against PKK/KADEK has nothing to do with Turkey's participation in stabilization force. Therefore, talks on joint measures to be taken against the mentioned terrorist organization are continued in a totally different platform,'' Yalcin said.
Yalcin added, ''it is an obvious fact that Turkish units will accomplish this mission thanks to its successes and experiences in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo and Afghanistan which were all appreciated by international community. TSK is determined to fulfil this mission in the best way as in all other missions.''
(BRC-AY) 13.10.2003