Dogru: Any Operation In Northern Iraq Should Not Give Damage To Turkish State

ANKARA, Feb 9 (A.A) - State Minister Resat Dogru who is in charge of the relations with the Turkish Republic said on Saturday that any operation in Northern Iraq should not give damage to the state of the Turkish Republic.
''An operation cannot be accepted if it would hurt the Turkish state,'' he said.
Speaking in a news conference, Dogru said that Turks live in a geography of 11 million kilometersquares having a population of almost 250 millions.
Noting that there can be certain plans to prevent Turks from coming together and to disturb the friendship, solidarity and cooperation among them, Dogru said that ''the state has to work continiously to install and develop the solidarity and cooperation among Turkish republics and societies.''
Dogru indicated that the relations between Turkey and the Turkish Republics gained more importance nowadays when effors launched for EU membership speeded up.
''Turkey can have the status of bringing privileges to the Turkish Republics at the EU level with its new identity. The technical assistance Turkey will give to friendly countries and groups gains strategic meaning. A strategic and rational technical aid policy should be formed on the basis of economic, social, cultural projects,'' he said.
Dogru also listed the targets foreseen to be undertaken in 2002, adding that ''the quotas for number of students coming to Turkey from Turkish Republics have been increased to 1,500. The scholarships have been rearranged. Associations of Turks living abroad should come together under one roof.''
Noting that foundation of Turkish World Sciences Academy is among their goals, Dogru said that the 38th International Medicine History Congress will be held in Istanbul between 1-6 September.
Dogru noted that a working group was formed to put into practice the policies regarding improvement of foreign trade, financial sector, information, agriculture, industrial property, technology and standards. He added that efforts are also launched to revive the Silk Road.
Dogru also briefed reporters about the visit he paid to Azerbaijan on Jan.29-Feb.2.
Responding to a question, Dogru said that Turkey should not have a ''brother'' status in its relations with Turkish Republics and added that relations between countries should be based on equality principle.
He said that Turkey's entrance to the EU would also have positive effects on Turkish Republics.
Speaking about Nahcevan issue, Dogru said that Turkey wanted to help Nahcevan. ''Nahcevan is a part of Azerbaijan and it's an autonomous republic. I'm planning to visit Nahcevan in the coming days and we'll search what could be done in Nahcevan through Turkey's support,'' he said.
Answering a question about Turkish aid to Afghanistan, Dogru said that Turkey was ready to extend all kinds of help to Afgahnistan for the development of this country.
He said that there was a new picture in Northern Iraq and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit warned Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein with a letter. ''Any operation in Iraq should take place in a way that would not hurt the Turkish Republic. An operation cannot be accepted if it would hurt the Turkish state. Therefore our government is doing whatever is needed for the interest of Turkey,'' he concluded.