Demirezen: Structural Change And Constitution Based On Religious And Ethnic Origin In New Politic Structuring Of Iraq Will Cause Serious Problems For Iraqi People

ANKARA - General Staff Secretary-General Sabri Demirezen said on Friday that a structural change and constitution based on religious and ethnic origin in new politic structuring of Iraq would cause serious problems for Iraqi people.
Speaking at a news briefing at General Staff headquarters, Gen. Demirezen recalled that Governing Council Constitution, setting up an election date, formation of Interim National Assembly and Interim Government, abolishment of Iraqi Interim Governing Council and work on new Iraqi Constitution were very important issues in road map which was prepared on transfer of Iraqi administration to Iraqi people.
Demirezen said that deliberation on possible developments in transition period and views on impossibility of holding a general election till June 30, 2004 continued under the process continuing in Iraq.
''U.N. Special Envoy prepared a report recommending that Iraqi Governing Council should be continued by increasing its authorities and census and election should be held at the end of 2004 or at the beginning of 2005. As we said earlier, structural change and constitution based on religious and ethnic origin in new politic structuring of Iraq would cause serious problems for Iraqi people. Besides developments about political structuring, the formation of new Iraq's Security Organization was a process which should also be monitored. It is believed that structuring of army should comply with facts of Iraq and expectation of Iraqi people. Military operation carried out in Iraq will gain a new characteristic with transfer of Iraqi administration to Iraqi people and thus NATO can also have a mission.''
Demirezen said that Greater Middle East issue has been on the agenda of public opinion and stated that this issue would continue to remain on the agenda of Turkey. He said, ''Greater Middle East Scope and Concept has not been determined completely. The issue is being examined with its different dimensions at General Staff headquarters and on other platforms. Its possible effects to Turkey and strategies that Turkey should follow especially on security are being analyzed. We think that we will make public our views on this issue at a right time.''
Stating that NATO experienced its biggest change after the Cold War, Demirezen said that the understanding of maintenance of force ''based on threat'' was abandoned and a structuring ''based on security'' was being adopted. Demirezen said that instead of ''unit'' principle, an organization as ''package of skill'' was targeted.
''Within the scope of transformation, as of October 15, 2003, an advanced level has been reached in the process of formation of a force which has high striking force and which has the capability of intervention in a short time against crisis which can appear in several regions of the world. This force which is called as 'NATO Response Force' is comprised of land, naval, air and special force components,'' he noted.
''During the time of peace, components allocated to NATO Response Force will be in country territories. Those components will be brought together for joint activities only for training. After activities finish, they will be deployed to their countries. This force can undertake mission after political decision is taken at NATO Council.''
Demirezen said, ''Turkey undertook the leadership of land component of this force in its foundation level which will continue from October 15, 2003 to the summer of 2004.''
Stating that a Turkish general was commanding the NATO Brigade, he said that the first exercise, 'Allied Response', of this international force was carried out in western Izmir province on November 20, 2003.
He added that Turkey provided naval, air and special force components with personnel and military units.
(EÖ-AÖ) 27.02.2004