WASHINGTON D.C. - Turkey's General Staff Deputy Chief General Ilker Basbug has said that they were concerned about the interim administrative law which was signed in Iraq last week.
Holding a news conference for Turkish reporters at the Turkish Embassy in Washington D.C. after completing his meetings in the United States, General Basbug said, ''Turkey has serious concerns about the interim administrative law signed in Iraq last week. Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul expressed these concerns in a letter he sent to U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell. We are concerned that the interim administrative law could not meet requirements of Iraq for peace, stability and territorial integrity. There are several ethnical groups in Iraq. These groups should be treated equally to provide peace and stability. If one of these groups is treated differently from the other groups, serious problems can emerge. Rights granted to Turkmen people in Iraq did not meet their expectations.''
''The U.S. side said that some correction could be made in the course of time under appropriate conditions. If the United States keeps its promise, it will satisfy both Turkey and the other regional countries,'' he said.
Highlighting importance of preservation of Iraq's territorial integrity, General Basbug said, ''we want the U.S.-led coalition to be successful in providing peace, stability and security in Iraq. Turkey is ready to display its good will about meeting political and military requirements.''
TURKISH-SYRIAN RELATIONS ARE DEVELOPING FRIENDLY
Commenting on recent tension in Syria, Basbug said, ''I don't know details of the recent incidents in Syria. But, our relations with Syria have a good course since 1999. We think that they are sincere in their relations with Turkey. I can say that Turkish-Syrian relations are developing friendly.''
Noting that the United States had not made any new demand for use of Incirlik Base in southern Adana province, Basbug noted that Turkey would continue to contribute to Afghanistan.
Basbug met with U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz, National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, Deputy National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage and other Pentagon and State Department officials in Washington.
DEFENDING CONSTITUTION IS DUTY OF EVERY TURKISH CITIZEN WHO BELIEVES IN ITS FUNDAMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS
When a reporter stated that Europe had some concerns over role of the army in Turkey and asked about his views, Basbug said, ''this issue was not discussed in our meetings.''
When another reporter said that there were initiatives in Turkey against the regime, Basbug said that there was nothing to concern about and the Constitution was evident.
''Defending the Constitution is the duty of not only the TSK, but also every Turkish citizen who believes in its fundamental characteristics,'' Basbug added.
(BRC-AÖ) 19.03.2004