ANKARA - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday speculations on return of Turkish troops to Turkey from a cross-border operation into north of Iraq do not reflect the facts.
"Those who qualify the date when the operation was ended as a weakness, are overshadowing Turkey's fight against terrorism," Erdogan told members of his Justice & Development (AK) Party at a parliament gathering.
Erdogan said producing political polemics regarding a national issue that requires unity and solidarity and making unjust accusations are not responsible behaviors.
"We have completed the ground operation on terrorist targets in north of Iraq with success, and the operation achieved its goals," he told.
-SUPER-PARTY MATTERS-
On the other hand, Erdogan said all nations and countries have some super-party matters, and fight against terrorism and national security issues were among them.
"(In a cross-border operation), party identities are left aside and every one unites around a common determination against terrorism irrespective of what his/her political preference is," he told.
-OPERATION WAS A SURPRISE FOR TERRORIST ORGANIZATION-
Erdogan said Turkish troops blew a stroke on the terrorist organization in an unexpected moment under challenging geographical and severe winter conditions.
"Their entrance and return were a surprise for the terrorist organization," he also said.
Erdogan said Turkey will continue countering terrorism till terrorists lay down arms.
"Ground operation, air strike, military measures are all technical matters. The government has taken an authorization from the parliament for a cross-border operation, and empowered the Turkish Armed Forces to stage the operation. This process still continues," he told.
Erdogan said the government is working to make social and economic conditions better in areas hit by terrorism.
"Fight against terrorism has military, diplomatic, political, social, cultural and economic dimensions. We will continue to take steps in these areas in coming days," he told.
Erdogan listed village infrastructure rehabilitation project and municipality infrastructure rehabilitation project among those steps.
"We aim to conclude Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) in five years," he told.
-GAZA-
On Israel's operations on Gaza, Erdogan said Israel's use of violence against Palestinian people in Gaza is beyond limits but welcomed end of operation and settlement of tranquility in Gaza as of Monday.
"The important thing is to prevent resumption of clashes," he told.
Erdogan said he spoke to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert the previous night and expressed Turkey's sensitivity, concerns and expectations.
"Whenever voices of peace rise in Middle East and whenever mutual steps are taken, two parties become open to provocations, and violence prevails," Erdogan also said.
Erdogan said future of neither Palestine nor Israel or Middle East can be protected by this horror.
"Negotiations should resume as soon as possible and every one should act with common sense and responsibility," he told.
Erdogan said, "Turkey will continue contributing to efforts to ensure peace and stability in the Middle East and end agonies of Palestinian people."
(BRC-MS)