ANKARA - Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul left on Friday for the Netherlands to attend the European Union (EU) Informal Ministerial meeting.
Before he flew to the Netherlands, Gul told reporters that the draft Turkish Penal Code (TCK) had not been given its final shape and presented to the parliament, and refrained from commenting on the amendments made to the draft which considered adultery as a crime.
Gul expressed thought that the matter was not reflected correctly to Turkish public opinion.
''Every country can have some sensitivities peculiar to itself. Turkish society can have some sensitivities and different views and feelings about several matters as how Ireland has some sensitivities about birth control and abortion, and some other countries have similar sensitivities. I am sure that we will reach a conclusion in a civilized way,'' Gul added.
GUL: I DON'T KNOW HOW CORRECT IT IS TO LINK PUTIN'S VISIT WITH TERRORIST ACT IN NORTH OSSETIA
Gul said, ''I don't know how correct it is to link (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's visit (to Turkey) with the terrorist act in North Ossetia.''
Gul told reporters, ''it is a reality that Russia is facing such terrorist attacks for a long time. Therefore, I don't know how correct it is to link the recent terrorist act with this visit.''
Gul said that nobody could reach anywhere by terrorism, and those who used terrorism as a tool to reach their targets would be considered unjust although they had a rightful cause.
''Terror on innocent people, and violence against defenseless people are wrong,'' Gul stated, and said that Turkey condemned all those acts.
When he was recalled about the statement of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan that Turkey would fulfil its responsibilities regarding the terrorist act in North Ossetia, Gul said, ''if they ask us to settle the matter peacefully, we will exert every effort we can.''
When a reporter recalled British press reports that some Chechen leaders including Aslan Mashadov were in Turkey, Gul said those press reports were inaccurate and noted, ''Russian officials also know that these claims are not correct.'' He added that Russia had not asked Turkey any questions about these claims.
-TURKEY-IRAQ-
Answering a question about Turks abducted and killed in Iraq, Gul said that Turkey had taken and implemented some measures regarding the matter. ''But, unfortunately our citizens who travel to Iraq don't take our recommendations seriously.''
Therefore, Gul stated, they decided to tighten their measures.
Gul added, ''who are behind these acts? Organs who will analyze this matter attended our meeting (at the Foreign Ministry). What can the reason (of these acts) be? Turkey is a friend of Iraqi people. It has proven its friendship with its stance after the Iraq war. We need to find the reasons of these attacks against Turks that are staged in a period when Turkey is being sympathized in the Middle East as it has never been sympathized before. We search for the reasons.''
Recalling that Turkey did not have any military forces in Iraq, Gul said, ''we are in Iraq to help (Iraqi people), to meet humanitarian needs, and to serve (Iraqi people.) We need to well analyze the reason of these attacks since this is our sole aim.''
-KERRY'S STATEMENT-
When recalled the statements of U.S. President candidate John Kerry who said if he is elected as President, he will recognize so-called Armenian genocide, Gul said, ''this issue is important for Turkey. Thus, we follow it closely.''
''However'' Gul added, ''such statements have made in the United States previously during election milieu.''
When asked whether a Turkish diplomat on ambassador level will be appointed to Jerusalem Consulate General and recalled that this appointment does not take place in recent ambassadors decree, Gul said, ''the ambassadors decree which is published in news reports and the appointment are separate issues.''
-MEETING IN THE NETHERLANDS-
Gul said, ''the issues which will be discussed in the meeting in the Netherlands are important for Turkey.'' He added, ''we will discuss international issues and especially Iraq and international terrorism.''
Noting, ''I will have bilateral meetings within the scope of the meeting in the Netherlands,'' Gul said, ''the most important issue which will be discussed is Cyprus.''
Gul said, ''as you know, there is a decision which was taken by Council of Europe about Cyprus and a report which was prepared by the EU Commission.'' He added, ''we closely follow these issues.''

(BRC-GC-AÖ) 03.09.2004