FOREIGN MINISTERS OF NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES WITH IRAQ CONVENE

DAMASCUS - Foreign ministers of neighboring countries with Iraq convened in Syrian capital Damascus on Saturday.
Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul represented Turkey at the meeting in which foreign ministers of Syria, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt, Bahrain and Lebanon attended.
Earlier, foreign ministers held tete-a-tete meetings.
During the meeting, foreign ministers decided to officially invite Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari to Sunday's talks.
Foreign ministers, who will discuss future of Iraq in detail at the meeting at Damascus' Sheraton Hotel, will try to develop a common view in line with interests of Iraqi people.
Participants will also seek for ways to support Iraqi people about protection of territorial integrity and political unity of Iraq, use of resources and sovereignty, and highlight importance of a peaceful, democratic and stable Iraq having good relations with its neighbors.
During the meeting, Gul will explain Turkey's vision about rebuilding of Iraq and Iran.
The two-day meeting will end on Sunday after release of final statement.
GUL: ''WE DECIDED TO INVITE IRAQ TO THE MEETING''

Gul stated late on Saturday, ''we ruled that it would be more appropriate to invite Iraq to the meetings in Damascus.''

Addressing journalists after unofficial part of the meeting ended, Gul said that they had assessed recent developments in Iraq.
Recalling that Iraq had not been invited to the previous meetings, Gul told reporters, ''a public order should be settled in Iraq as soon as possible. As you know, the United Nations Security Council have taken some decisions to this end. During today's meetings, we ruled that it would be more appropriate to invite Iraq to the meetings in Damascus. An invitation was sent to Iraq. Iraqi representatives will come to Damascus on Sunday.''
However, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari turned down the invitation saying that it was too late.
Referring to Zebari's decision, Gul said, ''we cannot bring him here by force. It is his own decision. But, he may change his mind and come to Damascus on Sunday.''
(UK) 02.11.2003