Government Not To Use Its Authority To Dispatch Turkish Soldiers To Iraq

ANKARA - The Turkish government has decided not to use its authority given by the parliament about dispatch of Turkish soldiers to Iraq.
Government sources said on Friday that the government had decided not to use its authority given by the parliament about dispatch of Turkish soldiers to Iraq under the light of its recent assessments.
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Huseyin Dirioz said U.S. State Secretary Colin Powell phoned Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul on Thursday evening, and that the two ministers exchanged views on Iraq.
Dirioz said, ''both ministers made references to prevailing conditions in Iraq and reviewed Turkey's sending troops to Iraq. Foreign Minister Gul told Powell that the government would re-evaluate its proposal regarding dispatch of soldiers to Iraq.''
''Earlier, Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Gul recalled that the Turkish government had proposed to send a military troop as a sign of Turkey's solidarity with Iraqi people with the aim of protecting peace and responding the United States's request to make such a contribution in the affirmative,'' he said.
Noting that U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell sent a letter to Gul and thanked Turkish people, government and parliament for its proposal to contribute to U.S.-led efforts of providing security, stability and economic development in Iraq, Dirioz said, ''Powell underlined that both U.S. government and American people appreciated Turkey's solidarity and friendship. He noted that Turkey had already been making all kinds of contributions as an allied country and strategic partner. Powell pledged that Turkey and the United States would continue working together in Iraq to bring democracy, a good administration, security and prosperity in a single Iraq whose political unity has been preserved. Powell confirmed the United States's commitment to eradicate all terrorist threats stemming from Iraq including the terrorist organization of PKK/KADEK. In response, Foreign Minister Gul reiterated Turkey's determination and expectations.''
''Foreign Minister Gul and U.S. Secretary of State Powell have agreed that Turkey and the United States should work together with Iraqi people and Turkey should play a key role in settlement of stability in Iraq and in rebuilding process of this country,'' he added.
The parliament authorized the government on October 7, 2003 to dispatch Turkish soldiers to join the U.S.-led stability force in Iraq.

(AY-UK-AÖ) 07.11.2003