ISTANBUL, Jan 25 (A.A) - Afghanistan Deputy Defense Minister General Rashid Dostum has said that he was grateful to the Turkish nation and the government who always helped the Afghan people.
Speaking at a press conference at Polat Ronesans Hotel in Istanbul on Friday night, Dostum told reporters about the developements in Afghanistan after Sept.11 attacks in the United States.
With the help of the U.S. Air Force, Dostum said they started a big fight against Taliban and Al Qaida, the war lasted for one month and they occupied Mazar-i Sharif in a short time.
He indicated that he unofficially visited Ankara nine days ago and had a series of beneficial meetings with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and discussed with them what kind of a central government could be established in Afghanistan.
''I'm very grateful to the Turkish people and the Turkish government. They've always helped us,'' Dostum said.
Pointing to the experience of the Turkish army, Dostum asked for Turkey's support in forming an army and a police organization in Afghanistan. He also asked for the help of the Turkish construction companies in the rebuilding of his country.
Responding to a question about an alleged conflict between him and Defense Minister of the interim government Muhammed Fehim, Dostum said there was no such conflict. ''He is the defense minister and I'm his assistant. We have a special friendship too. The incident which is being told about took place between two groups which are under my control. We resolved that problem,'' he explained.
Answering another question, Dostum said he was also grateful to the United States. ''Without the United States, Taliban and Al Qaida would have destroyed our people,'' he commented. He also said that Afghan people want the American soldiers outside the International Peace Keeping Force to stay in Afghanistan.
Dostum said that some 500 Afghan students were sent to Turkey seven years ago and some of these students completed their studies in Turkey and 50 of them were getting ready to return to Afghanistan soon.
Dostum said that Ataturk and Emanullah Han laid the foundation for friendship between Turkey and Afghanistan many years ago. He said Turkey assured to help not only Uzbeks in Afghanistan, but to Peshtuns, Tajiks and to other ethnic groups.