ANKARA - Justice Minister and government spokesman Cemil Cicek said on Monday that Turkey considered the interim constitution of Iraq as an arrangement raising Turkey's concerns and uneasiness.
Following the meeting of Council of Ministers, Cicek replied to questions of reporters about the interim constitution of Iraq.
When a reporter noted, ''Turkey has said that it will act together with Shiite related with the interim constitution of Iraq. But, the Shiite have signed the interim constitution today,'' and asked about his view, Cicek said, ''on March 5, the Foreign Ministry made a statement about the developments in Iraq and the law which is stated to be signed today and which is known as the interim constitution. And, in this statement, the Foreign Ministry expressed Turkey's concerns. Also, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul sent a letter to U.S. State Secretary in which he expressed Turkey's concerns and uneasiness.''
Cicek went on saying, ''therefore, this letter has been conveyed to the mentioned person and U.S. State Secretary spoke to Gul by phone today. Also, the Foreign Ministry is evaluating all aspects of this issue. Turkey is continuing consultations with the countries that are side to the issue through the Foreign Ministry.''
''This issue can come onto agenda of an extraordinary Council of Ministers meeting if necessary after all its aspects are evaluated. As Turkey, we are sensitive about this issue. We consider the interim constitution an arrangement which doesn't satisfy us, which raises our concerns and uneasiness, and which will not help settlement of permanent peace and which will cause continuation of instability and lack of tranquility in this country for a long time. We have tried to explain this to the concerned countries by letters or by other means. Our evaluations continue,'' Cicek added.
(BRC-AÖ) 08.03.2004