Demirel: Territorial Integrity Of Iraq Has To Be Protected

ANKARA, Feb 14 (A.A) - Former President Suleyman Demirel said on Thursday that the territorial integrity of Iraq has to be protected.
Speaking in the luncheon held by The Ankara International Group in Hilton Hotel where the issue of ''Turkey in Middle of Problems'' was taken up, Demirel said that a stable administration has to be set up in Afghanistan.
''Iraq should not be the target in the international fight with terrorism. But Iraq has to fully abide by the resolutions of the U.N. Security Council and it should satisfy the world public opinion about mass destruction weapons. The territorial integrity of Iraq has to be protected. If this is not the case, it will not be possible to correct the disturbed balances for long years.''
Noting that the the Israeli-Palestinian clash has almost turned into a fight, Demirel said that the sides don't have any other way than accepting each other and living together.
''Two states, whose borders have been determined well: Israeli state and Palestinian state is the solution of the problem,'' said Demirel.
Noting that there are two separate states and two separate nations in Cyprus, Demirel said that the impositions on TRNC and Turkey won't help in the solution of the Cyprus problem.
Demirel said that the Cyprus problem should not be put as an impediment in front of Turkey which prepares to be a full member of EU, adding that the recognition of the Greek Cypriot administration as the state of all Cyprus and the efforts to make it an EU member is wrong and this will make difficult finding a solution.
Demirel commented that Europe with 28 members has to be in question, adding that Turkey has to start full membership negotiations with EU in 2002.
He talked about the importance of peace in the Caucasus and the Balkans in his speech.