ANKARA - Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz said any threat towards Iraq was also a threat for Turkey.
Speaking to reporters following his meeting with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, Aziz said he had a very important meeting with Ecevit, stressing that Ecevit was an old friend of Iraq. Aziz said Foreign Minister Sukru Sina Gurel also attended the meeting, stressing that it was a deep and comprehensive meeting.
Aziz said they discussed the threat of the United States toward their country, and noted that threats toward Iraq are also threats toward Turkey. Aziz said he believed that any aggression toward Iraq would not only give damage to Iraq but also to Turkey.
Aziz said this was a threat toward all regional countries, adding that all the countries should work in cooperation.
''We told Mr. Ecevit that Iraq would fully comply with with UN Security Council's resolutions,'' he said. ''Iraq will help the UN inspectors and this way the inspectors will perform their duties and find out that Iraq doesn't have any mass destruction weaopns. We instructed the Iraqi delegation in Vienna to facilitate things for UN inspectors so the truth will be known.''
Aziz later went to the Foreign Ministry residence to attend a lunch hosted by Foreign Minister Gurel.
Aziz is expected to hold a press conference at 11 a.m. tomorrow.
During the meetings, Ecevit warned the Iraqi side that the United States could strike any moment and stressed them that Iraq should fully comply with the UN Security Council's decision in order not to give them an excuse. Aziz said Iraq was already doing this and asked for Turkey's help. Aziz also stated that Turkey and the entire Middle East would also suffer from a possible war.