Erdogan: We Are Not So Passionate About Sending Soldiers To Iraq

MALLORCA - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday that Turkey was not so passionate about sending soldiers to Iraq.
Erdogan, who held a press conference on the last day of Formentor Forum held in Mallorca island of Spain, said that the United States was successful in war in Iraq, but it could not show similar success after it. Erdogan stated, ''there are problems on energy, water, food, medicine and security in Iraq. There is an Iraq whose future is not known.''
Stating that upon the demand of the United States, Turkish government took the decision on sending soldiers to Iraq by consulting with National Security Council (NSC) under the chairmanship of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and General Staff, Erdogan recalled that this decision was approved in the parliament.
''As Turkey, we want to do what is necessary for happiness of Iraqi people. We want Iraq to be included in democratic and legal states,'' Erdogan stated and said that they would extend humanitarian aid to Iraqi people would not serve as a police or gendarme force there. Erdogan said that Iraq was always Turkey's neighbor and stated that they would not have any initiative which would cause problems there.
Erdogan said that the demand of Iraqi people was of great importance for Turkey and stated that there were circles which assumed negative or positive attitude not only toward Turkish soldiers but also soldiers of other countries.
Erdogan added, ''we are not so passionate about sending soldiers to Iraq. There is a demand of the United States and we are evaluating it.''
Concerning the last resolution which was taken in the U.N. Security Council, Erdogan said that developments after the resolution of the Security Council would also play an important role in talks which continued between Turkey and the United States.
When asked why talks between Turkey and the United States extended and whether the reason of it could be a change in thought of the United States, he said, ''I don't know. But the United States might also have waited for the resolution of the Security Council. The demand of the United States is of great importance for us. We want to support improvement of stability in Iraq and contribute to happiness of Iraqi people. But if Iraqi people say that 'we don't want anyone', there will be nothing to do. Let's look at what will happen after the U.N. resolution. We will go there if it is wanted. We will not go there if it is not wanted. We don't have any sine qua non decision. We said that Turkish soldiers will go there to extend help to logistics, infrastructure and security of Iraqi people. We have an army which has always been successful wherever it goes.''
TURKEY IS ALWAYS IN FAVOR OF SOLUTION ON CYPRUS
Replying to a question on Cyprus issue, Erdogan said, ''a different point of view can come to power or a different development may occur after elections to be held in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in December. I can't know who will come to power in TRNC. I don't have such a problem and initiative. We want an administration which will come to power by a democratic election to be a pioneer in taking steps advantageous for TRNC people.''
Underlining that TRNC had assumed a positive attitude since April 2, Erdogan said, ''but, I see the opposite in the Greek Cypriot side. Unfortunately, there are people who say that a Greek Cypriot who spends one night at TRNC should be sentenced to 1-2 years of imprisonment. We have always been in favor of solution on Cyprus and we favor sitting at negotiation table. I personally don't reject Annan plan as a whole.''
CYPRUS SHOULD NOT BE DOOMED TO INSOLUBILITY IN THE ISSUE OF ACCESSION TO EU
Erdogan said that Turkey expected and wanted elections in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to be held in a democratic way. He added that accusations claiming that Turkey sent citizens to TRNC were wrong.
Erdogan said that Cyprus should not be doomed to insolubility in the issue of accession to EU, adding that Annan Plan should be evaluated with its correct and wrong sides. He said that both Turkey and Greece should solve the issue with positive approaches.
When a Spanish deputy defended that Turkey was away from EU criteria, Erdogan said that Turkey was progressing on its path in EU process with its adjustment packages and noted, ''I would like you to come to Turkey, see the facts and make evaluations being aware of these facts.''
TURKEY WANTS INTEGRATION OF CIVILIZATIONS INSTEAD OF THEIR CONFLICT
Referring to the discussion that reference to Europe's Christian roots should be included in a new constitution of the European Union (EU) being drafted, Erdogan said, ''EU is neither an economic nor a geographic or Christian union. It is a whole of political values. Different cultures and countries have taken place in the union and will continue to do so. If such an expression takes place in the EU constitution draft, there will be a limitation. And, this limitation will lead to Huntington's conflict among civilizations. We want integration of civilizations. We support modernization by universal values.''
Touching on Turkey's EU accession process, Erdogan said that although Turkey insistently wanted to join EU, it did not consider EU a sine qua non target.
Erdogan said, ''Turkey has almost completed steps in line with Copenhagen political criteria. Practices will gain momentum as of 2004. We are sure that we can get a negotiation date in December 2004.''
Stating that negotiations meant transition process from candidacy to membership, Erdogan said that they knew that Turkey could not become a full member without meeting all EU criteria.
Erdogan emphasized that Turkey had a target to join EU in order to raise living standards of its people.
''Currently, 75 percent of Turkish people have accepted accession to EU. If a referendum is held in EU countries, you will see that people don't accept membership at such a rate. Majority of Swedish people voted against use of Euro in a referendum. This means that EU should be discussed in Sweden. 75 percent of support of Turkish people is a significant rate,'' Erdogan added.
Meanwhile, Spanish press had great interest in Erdogan. Many Spanish journalists wanted to interview with Erdogan.
Erdogan spoke on Spanish state-run television channel TVE.
Prime Minister Erdogan will stop in Bosnia-Herzegovina en route from Mallorca to Istanbul and visit former Bosnian leader Alia Izzetbegovic, who is under medical treatment.
Erdogan is expected to arrive in Istanbul at night.