Baykal: Nato's Undertaking Responsibility In Iraq Directly Is Not Right

ISTANBUL - Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal said on Friday that NATO's undertaking responsibility in Iraq directly was not right.
The meeting of Socialist International Committee on Peace, Democracy and Human Rights, hosted by Turkish Republican People's Party (CHP), started in Istanbul on Friday.
Speaking at the opening of the meeting Baykal said peace and security could not be restored in Iraq yet despite a very big military intervention.
Baykal said the results which were expected before the military operation could not be reached, stating that tension escalated in Iraq. He said developments caused concern for the coming period.
CHP leader Baykal said there was not a clear understanding regarding what would be done from now on, stressing that democracy should be settled in the region.
Replying to a question, Baykal said NATO's undertaking responsibility in Iraq directly was not right, and urged a force to be formed that would restore security. He said this should take place with the participation of impartial countries.
''There is a need for a transition period stability. A force should be established for this,'' Baykal noted. He said Turkey should stay out of this force, noting that Turkey should be extremely careful in its relations with this region.
Asked about Turkey's integration with the European Union (EU), Baykal said, ''setting a date for Turkey to start full membership negotiations became indispensable. We expect a date to be set at the end of this year.''
(AY) 25.06.2004