Emergency Meeting Of OIC

TURKISH STATE MINISTER ATALAY: WE SHOULD USE OUR INFLUENCE TO RESUME ROAD MAP

KUALA LUMPUR - The emergency meeting of the 57-state Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) has started in Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur upon request of OIC Term President Malaysia to discuss recent developments in the Middle East and Iraq.
Speaking at the meeting, Turkish State Minister Besir Atalay said on Thursday, ``joint positions should be formed to overcome new problems stemming from rapidly escalating tension in the Middle East. We should prevent the clashes in the region from having negative impacts on our future. Therefore, we should act with determination to put an end to these clashes and concentrate on our future. Turkey is ready to undertake a pioneer role in these efforts.``
``Killing of two leaders of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in Israeli strikes in a month has deteriorated the situation in the region. We harshly condemn these illegal actions. We understand outrage and indignation of Palestinian people against these actions. We should serve interests of our Palestinian sisters and brothers in the best way. We should preserve our concentration on our final target of foundation of an independent and sustainable Palestinian state. Therefore, we should assess carefully Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon`s plan envisaging withdrawal from Gaza, the plan`s possible impacts on the current status quo and future of the West Bank. The plan should be assessed under the light of United States` approval,`` he said.
Atalay noted, ``each step to be taken by the Israeli side to withdraw from Palestinian territories under occupation, should be considered an inseparable part of of process aiming to find a negotiated-solution to the Palestinian question. I mean to say that unilateral steps would not serve any lasting solution in the Middle East. Neither withdrawal nor drawing political borders can provide a lasting peace in the absence of the Palestinian side. The road map which was put forward by the U.S.-led quartet group of the United Nations, the European Union (EU) and Russia, considered the only valid frame by the sides and ratified by the United Nations Security Council, is a sound ground for all efforts to further improve the peace process.``
``The OIC should display a clear attitude and determination with the aim of supporting a negotiated-solution to result in foundation of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state under secure and recognized borders. The OIC should base its efforts on the international consensus put forward by resolutions of the United Nations Security Council no: 1397 and 1515,`` he said.
Atalay added, ``we should exert efforts to make Israel`s withdrawal from the occupied regions an action staged with fully coordination with the Palestinian side. We should use our influence to resume the road map. Also, we should remember the fact that a comprehensive solution to the Middle East question should also revive Syrian and Lebanese canals on the appropriate time. We should work in close coordination with the other main actors exerting efforts to provide a lasting peace in the Middle East.``
ATALAY: WE SHOULD SUPPORT UNITED NATIONS` UNDERTAKING A CENTRAL ROLE IN IRAQ
Turkish State Minister Besir Atalay has said, ``we should support the United Nations` undertaking a central role in Iraq. If none of sections forming the Iraqi society feel that it is excluded from the process of formation of the nation, Iraq will start acquiring stability and tranquillity.``
Speaking at the meeting, Atalay said, ``Iraq has been living through a difficult period. Unfortunately, the political transition process is far away from providing the necessary atmosphere of confidence. The security situation in the country have been further deteriorating. The neighboring countries with Iraq, which are members of the OIC, and the regional countries have concentrated their efforts since the beginning of the war and during the war. Turkey has taken its place in the forefront in this process. We have always acted with the understanding of responsibility when our neighbors were in question.``
``In this sensitive process, preservation of national unity and territorial integrity of Iraq is of vital importance in regard to the future of the Iraqi people. Turkey has the same interest with the Iraq people. The Iraqi people deserve to live in a free and prosperous country. We have been supporting their will. However, the developments in the country have the potential of disrupting the Iraqi people`s desire for a free and prosperous future and of leading the country to uncertainty. Therefore, we should assist Iraq in this process in order to prevent such undesired developments. Our efforts should focus on assisting the Iraqi people in establishment of interim formations with the participation of whole population under the principles of legitimacy, pluralism and transparency,`` he said.
Atalay emphasized, ``the United Nations has the equipment and the capacity to arrange international society`s aid to Iraq. We should support the United Nations` undertaking a central role in Iraq. The neighboring countries with Iraq and the other regional countries should support the United Nations` efforts to this end.``
``If none of sections forming the Iraqi society feel that it is excluded from the process of formation of the nation, Iraq will start acquiring stability and tranquillity. In that case, the United Nations will have the secure atmosphere in which it will carry out its works,`` he said.
Stressing that the OIC could also play an important and meaningful role in this process, Atalay said, ``the OIC should seek for methods to assume a more constructive attitude about the Iraq issue, and to contribute to political transformation process in this country. Formation of a mission group under the structure of the OIC can be beneficial to this end. If this proposal is accepted, we can use the period till the scheduled meeting of foreign ministers of OIC in Istanbul in June.``
He added, ``we all wish that occupation in Iraq would end formation of an atmosphere in which the Iraqi people would be able to determine their own future. If we fulfil our responsibilities under a sound international support, Iraq can provide the atmosphere of stability and tranquillity.``
State Minister Besir Atalay and the accompanying delegation are expected to return to Turkey on Friday.
TURKEY ASKS FOR MALAYSIA`S SUPPORT FOR THE MISSION OF OIC SECRETARY GENERAL
Atalay presented the letter of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah bin Ahmad Badawi on Thursday.
In the letter, Erdogan asked the support of Malaysia for the candidate of Turkey Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu to be elected as OIC Secretary General.
Atalay said that during his bilateral meetings he was mostly asked questions about Cyprus issue and added that he informed the representatives of OIC member countries about this issue.
(GC-UK-AY) 22.04.2004