ANKARA - The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that it welcomed the UN Security Council`s resolution on Iraq.
Issuing a statement on Wednesday, the ministry said that the decision to end invasion on June 30, 2004 and officially transfer sovereignty of Iraq to the Iraqi Interim Government constituted one of the most important turning points in Iraq`s recent past.
The ministry said that together with this decision made unanimously, it believed also an important step was taken toward settlement of compromise and unity of purpose at the UN Security Council.
Naturally, this positive transformation should be backed by developments in the field. It is a requirement of realism and cautiousness not to expect political and economic conditions, particularly situation of security to change immediately after the UN resolution. Basic assurance of betterment of condition in Iraq will be the proper participation of all Iraqis in political process. To reach this point, there is a very long path to cover, the ministry said.
Noting that within this framework, all relevant powers, groups and circles, particularly the Iraqi Interim Government that was going to take over the sovereignty would have important responsibilities, the ministry said that the Iraqi government should be very careful that the political process covered all Iraqis while the Multinational Force which would fulfil duty in Iraq on the Iraqi government`s consent would contribute to settlement of security and stability.
The ministry said that the period of 6-7 months until formation of government and parliament to be formed by elections and receive direct support of Iraqi people would be a period during which also the influence of the resolution would be tested.
Turkey will support all positive proposals and closely follow this period during which studies from organization of the National Conference to finalization of laws and arrangements and from daily work that the Iraqi Interim Government would conduct to steps that it would take on consolidation of national harmony in Iraq, it said.
The ministry stressed that all groups and circles should avoid to create environment of clashes and disquiet and follow agenda based on individual interests but they should strengthen national harmony, which would be of vital importance.
Developments in Iraq`s recent past have remarkably and bitterly shown how lack of internal harmony in a country and dictatorship could pose a threat to its neighboring countries and peace and stability in the world. With this respect, in light of this historical experience, countries in the region have legitimate interests and expectations regarding the issue of harmony and stability in Iraq. Our common target is to see a prosperous Iraq which preserves its national unity and territorial integrity, advances on democracy path and is at peace with its neighbors. Iraq should no more pose a threat to its neighbors and it should be no more a shelter of terrorists. It will be important for the international community to fulfil its responsibilities and duties to reach these targets and the Iraqi Interim Government and next administrations will have same responsibilities, the ministry stated.
(MS) 09.06.2004