Gul: Population Movements In Iraq Should Not Cause Lasting Demographic Changes

ANKARA - Turkish Foreign Minister & Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said, ``population movements in Iraq should not cause lasting demographic changes.``
Gul met Slovakian Deputy Prime Minister Pal Csaky, who is currently in Ankara.
After the meeting, Gul told reporters that Turkey wished Iraq to have peace and unity, stating, ``changes and coercion there may endanger it.``
Asked about the messages of terrorist Osman Ocalan who said that ``there was rapprochement between Kurds and the United States and they wanted to establish relation with Turkey,`` Gul said, ``I don`t think that the United States have any relationship with terrorists.``
Reminded of some press reports which said that there was a high flow of Kurdish migration to Kirkuk city of Iraq, Gul said that they were dealing with the issue actively, noting that Kirkuk was an important city of Iraq. He stated that natural resources of the country belonged to all Iraqi people.
Stating that there were a population movement in Iraq, Gul stressed that population movements should not cause lasting demographic changes.
Gul said, ``everyone should be very careful. Iraq needs peace and tranquility.``

-``WE WILL NOT MAKE ANY CONCESSION ON FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM``
When reminded of some press reports which said that posters of head of terrorist organization PKK were hung on walls of Turkish Embassy in Baghdad and other places in the city, Gul said, ``everyone is aware of our position regarding the fight against terrorism. Everyone knows that we will not make any concession on this issue. No matter where we are, we fight against terrorism.``
Reminded of the statement of U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Eric Edelman who said that Turkey had beforehand information about operations in Tal Afar, Gul noted that statement of the ambassador might be misunderstood.
Answering another question on Tal Afar, Gul said that Turkish liaison teams as well as doctors were in the region. He added that aid sent by Turkey would also reach the city tomorrow.
``We hope that security and peace will be secured not only in Tal Afar but also in Iraq as soon as possible,`` he stated.
Gul noted that Turkey supported the Iraqi government, adding that he hoped that transition period would end successfully.

-GUL-CSAKY MEETING-
On the other hand Gul said that there were very good relations between Slovakia and Turkey, noting that Slovakia was one of friendly countries which supported Turkey`s European Union (EU) bid.
Csaky and himself discussed in the meeting regional developments and matters concerning the EU, Gul said.
On the other hand, Csaky noted that his country supported Turkey`s EU bid, stating that he was very optimistic about Turkey`s possible accession to the EU.
(EÖ-ULG) 16.09.2004