MILLIYET- Columnist Fikret Bila writes on Foreign Minister Ismail Cem's suggestions to Saddam Hussein on the eve of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's visit to the US. A summary of his column is as follows:
Can Foreign Minister Ismail Cem's suggestion to Iraqi Foreign Minister Naci Sadri in a letter calling on Iraq to comply with the UN resolutions, on thereof Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's visit to the US last week, be considered a surprise development? Cem believes that Iraq cannot claim surprise development, as Turkey has been in constant contact it on the issue. After stating that he had received a polite response to the letter, Cem said that they would evaluate the steps taken by Baghdad. Foreign Minister Cem said that Turkey's aim was to protect stability in the region in its role as the most powerful and influential country. He added that if Baghdad took a step towards complying with the UN resolutions, Turkey would do its best in working towards relaxing and lifting the economic embargo imposed on Iraq. Foreign Minister Cem draws attention to the fact that a step taken by Baghdad on the issue would reduce the tension. Certainly, it must be also said that such a step would eliminate one of the justifications for a probable US intervention in Iraq and let the region breathe a sigh of relief. Ankara is suggesting to Saddam that he should comply with the UN resolutions and allow UN inspectors in Iraq. Foreign Minister Cem stated that in this case, not only Turkey, but all the other countries in the region could help Baghdad. He said that Iran, Syria and Turkey could take a more influential role if Iraq complies with the UN resolutions. He added that Turkey was in close contact with these countries and would launch initiatives to reduce tension by getting their support. This would in effect be advantageous for the stability and security of the region. Prime Minister Ecevit had also called on Saddam Hussein to comply with the resolutions and told him he could get nowhere by taking all the world against himself. However, a decision to comply with these resolutions is up to Baghdad.
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION