ANKARA (AA) - ''If the election results in Iraq cause serious problems in Kirkuk, this can be a security problem for Turkey as well,'' said Turkish Deputy Chief of General Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug on Wednesday.
     Gen. Basbug held a news conference on Wednesday. When a reporter said that developments which Turkey did not desire, occurred in Kirkuk and asked whether there was a lack of confidence towards the United States, Gen. Basbug said, ''it is necessary to accept that life and conditions in Iraq are not normal and it is difficult to say that the order is completely under control of Iraqi Interim Government and coalition forces.''
     ''When figures about demographic structure in Iraq are considered, 100-120,000 people left Kirkuk between 1991 and 2000. These people are not only Kurds but also Turkmens and Assyrians. According to figures of Iraqi Trade Ministry, nearly 350,000 Kurds arrived in Kirkuk. It is not possible to say that everything is under control in Iraq and the situation is normal,'' he added.
     Gen. Basbug said, ''we have repeatedly conveyed this issue to public opinion and U.S. officials. The situation creates an uneasiness. The important thing is that elections will be held in Iraq. We hope the election will be held in the expected way. It is significant that all sides in Iraq accept the results of elections. If sides do not accept the results, our uneasiness can come true. Our government launched every initiative about this issue. Our Foreign Minister wrote a letter to UN Secretary General. From now on the only thing that can be done is to follow the incidents and hope the results would be acceptable by all sides in Iraq.''
     When asked whether there was a possibility of clash in Kirkuk due to results of elections in Iraq, Gen. Basbug said, ''we have expressed in July 2004 that several groups exerted efforts to change the demographic structure of Kirkuk while steps were taken to bring stability in Iraq. This can cause serious uneasiness in the aspect of Turkey's security. The change in population structure of Kirkuk is related not only with the election results but also the future of Kirkuk in long-term. This carries a risk for not only Iraq but also the region. We hope a wrong step would not be taken about this issue. During the Iraq elections in 1950, it was seen that a large Turkmen population exists in Kirkuk. We have the uneasiness that a clash may erupt if several groups would not accept the results of elections.''
     ''Two vital and basic issues to which Turkey attributes importance are inclusion of Kirkuk in Kurdish region and defense of political rights of Turkmens in Iraq. We do not have any other activities except from conveying possible dangers and friendly views to authorities through diplomatic means. If election results cause serious problems in Iraq, this may be a serious problem for Turkey as well. We hope such a transformation would not happen,'' he added.
    
     -PKK TERRORIST ORGANIZATION-
     Gen. Basbug said, ''the United States knows about Turkey's expectations regarding PKK terrorist organization in the north of Iraq. According to our assessments, we cannot say that the United States has reached the necessary political decision and determination regarding a military action against PKK.''
     Upon a question about high-level meetings with U.S. officials which were held within this month, Gen. Basbug said, ''we have, of course, different opinions with U.S. officials about some issues. However, relations between Turkey and the United States are so comprehensive that they cannot be related only a single issue. If there is a vital condition, the situation can be different.''
     When asked on what points Turkey and the United States have different opinions, Gen. Basbug said, ''PKK can be given as an example. Turkey's security is an issue which belongs to only Turkey. Security of a country can not be depended on another country. Fight against terrorism is a different issue. Fight against terrorism takes more time and becomes more bloody when necessary support cannot be obtained from neighboring countries and at international level. If we could get full support from our neighbors and at international level, we could accomplish our fight against terrorism with less loss.''
     ''Fight against terrorism is pursued in political and economic areas besides military area. The United States provided great support to Turkey in its fight against PKK. The situation has changed after second Iraq war. The United States knows about Turkey's expectations regarding PKK in the north of Iraq after the second operation against Iraq,'' he said.
    
     -INCIRLIK BASE-
     When asked whether the United States had a demand to provide logistic requirements of its forces in Iraq and have intelligence flights through Turkey's southern Incirlik airbase, Gen. Basbug said, ''Incirlik base is already used for logistics and humanitarian services in line with the resolution of UN Security Council and the decision of Turkish Council of Ministers which is valid until June 2005. The United States requested to use Incirlik base as a logistic transfer center for operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. This is not a new demand. This demand is being assessed by the Turkish government.''
    
     -CYPRUS-
     Gen. Basbug said, ''it will be unjust to ask Turkey to make gesture after the referenda in Cyprus. Withdrawal of soldiers from Cyprus does not exist on the agenda of Turkey.''
     When asked whether General Staff Headquarters and the Turkish government have the same view as Land Forces Commander Gen. Yasar Buyukanit who said, ''not a single soldier will be recalled from Cyprus until a certain and permanent agreement is reached in Cyprus,'' Gen. Basbug said, ''this statement is the view of the Turkish General Staff. The government also expresses this view. This view is common view of the Republic of Turkey.''
     ''Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) showed their sincere and real will for solution of Cyprus problem and referendum was the sign of it. The results of referenda are a registration that the reason of insolubility in Cyprus is not Turkish side. The referenda results registered that there are two separate peoples in Cyprus and neither of them have the authority to represent the other. Just and sustainable peace in Cyprus can be provided only by talks between equal sides,'' he said.
     (GC-MS)
2005-01-26