ANKARA - Turkish National Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul said on Tuesday that the U.S. planes did not use the Incirlik air base in Adana (southern Turkey) to transport equipment or personnel to Iraq.
In a written response to questions of Mustafa Gazalci of the Republican People's Party (CHP) Gonul said, ''Turkey did not sign any agreement with the United States about use of Incirlik air base or other facilities as regards United States' military operation in Iraq.''
''Under the resolution no: 1483 of the UN Security Council, the Council of Ministers decided on June 23rd, 2003 to allow friendly and allied countries to use Turkish ports, airports, facilities and bases for a period of one year, for logistic support including transportation of humanitarian aid, equipment and personnel. The said UN resolution was confirming Iraq's independence and territorial integrity, and launched an appeal to support efforts to provide stability and security, rebuilding process and dispatch of humanitarian aid to Iraq. ''Taking into consideration another resolution of the UN Security Council, Turkish government was extended the period for one more year on June 22nd, 2004,'' Gonul said.
Recalling that the Incirlik was one of those bases mentioned in the decision of the Council of Ministers, Gonul added, ''however, U.S. planes did not use Incirlik for transportation of equipment or personnel to Iraq.''