GUL SAYS THEY STRESSED THE THREAT POSED BY TERRORIST ELEMENTS IN IRAQ TOWARD SECURITY OF NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES
ANKARA - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Sunday that during the meeting they held in Damascus, they stressed the threat posed by terrorist elements in Iraq toward security of neighboring countries.
Gul completed his contacts in Damascus where he had gone to participate in meeting of foreign ministers of countries neighboring Iraq.
Speaking at Ankara's Esenboga Airport, Gul said the meeting was held at a very sensitive stage of developments regarding Iraq, noting that it was a timely meeting.
Gul said they discussed in details current conditions in Iraq, its security, and political transformation process, stressing that they reiterated the importance they attributed to Iraq's territorial integrity.
Gul said role of neighboring countries in transformation period of Iraq was clearly stressed in Security Council resolution no:1511, adding that view of neighboring countries that Iraq should complete this period rapidly and in an healthy way was in line with the U.N. Security Council resolution.
Gul said they stressed the threat, posed by terrorist elements and armed groups currently existing in Iraq, toward the security of regional countries.
Gul said they took a decision to give directives for studies of permanent representations in New York to be carried out in coordination aiming to continue contributions to the process in Iraq in line with the U.N.
Speaking about Iraq's invitation to Damascus meeting, Gul said, ''Iraqi Interim Foreign Minister was also invited to the meeting. It was understood that he was not ready to attend the meeting this time. Iraqi Interim Governing Council will be invited to future meetings.''
Gul said next meeting was set for Kuwait, stressing that target of initiatives of neighboring countries was to form a basis to undertake positive roles as countries having interest in stability and order in Iraq. Gul said this process would continue.
Gul said, ''regional initiative is not in contradiction with Iraqi Interim Governing Council and international studies. On the contrary, they are complementary. U.N. Security Council also reiterated this fact. Those who have hesitations will better see it in the future.''
Replying to a question about Turkish engineer kidnapped in Afghanistan, Gul said Foreign Ministry launched initiatives in this respect.
Gul said he talked to Hasan Onal, the engineer who was kidnapped the previous day, on the phone, noting he was in a good health condition.
Gul said, ''there are indications that he would not be harmed. All our facilities have been mobilized. We are exerting efforts to save our citizen without him being harmed.''
(AY-AÖ) 03.11.2003