NEW YORK - Turkish Foreign Minister & Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul asked UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to observe more care to Kirkuk issue. Sources stated that Gul told Annan that he was not optimistic about the future of Iraq.
They said that Gul and Annan focused on Cyprus and Iraq issues in their meeting.
Annan said that they appreciated steps that Turkey took on its way to the European Union (EU), stating that they supported those steps.
Gul said that they appreciated Annan's efforts to make a more effective and productive UN, noting that not only Turkish government but also Turkish people supported his efforts.
Stressing that although Turkey was very active in UN's peace efforts, it was represented insufficiently in the UN, Gul said, ''there is few number of Turks working for the UN. Some of them are going to retire soon. We should be represented in the UN in such a way that reflects Turkey's importance in the world.''
-''WE EXPECT A CONCRETE STEP ON CYPRUS ISSUE''-
Sources quoted Gul as saying, ''a great opportunity for the solution (of Cyprus question) that you initiated was missed. Greek Cypriot administration called Greek Cypriot people to vote 'no' to the plan. In fact, this plan was a UN plan supported by EU (European Union), the United States and many countries. Although this plan did not make us happy fully, we approved it. The other side did not.''
Thanking Annan for his fair report on Cyprus, Gul said, ''however, we reached a point that when people who voted in favor of the plan is punished, the side which assumed a negative attitude is honored. This situation disappoints Turkish Cypriots. We expect a concrete step on this issue.''
When Annan asked the latest developments on financial regulations to be prepared by the EU, Gul said that there was not any progress on this issue due to hindrance made by Greek Cypriot side, stressing, ''if those regulations are not passed, it will be a second punishment for Turkish (Cypriot) side.''
Gul told Annan that ''if he puts an emphasize on this issue by keeping it on the agenda, it will have positive effects on ending the isolation of Turkish Cypriots, revival of trade and starting of non-stop flights (to TRNC). Annan said that everyone knew his position on this issue and his report (on Cyprus) makes it obvious.
-MORE CARE TO KIRKUK-
Diplomatic sources quoted Gul as saying, ''security issue in Iraq is getting more and more worse. We are the people of this region. We immediately feel the effects of all negative developments. We are very concerned. We are working for Iraq to reach stability as soon as possible. A total of 285,000 trucks from Turkey entered Iraq in the last seven months. We are meeting a great amount of basic needs of Iraqi people.''
Noting that Turkey did not have any secret agenda concerning Kirkuk, Gul said, ''(Kirkuk issue) is kind of a time bomb. It can destroy everything in Iraq. There are some provocations. There are some tendencies aiming to change the demographic structure of the city. Kirkuk should not be exploited. Please observe more care to the issue.''
Annan said that important steps were made concerning security in Iraq, although they were not sufficient. He added that timetable on the election (to be held in Iraq) would be maintained.
When Annan said that UN could not fulfill its task in Iraq due to security problems, Gul noted that Turkey was ready to extend every kind of support on this matter.
(EÖ-ULG) 28.09.2004