Yilmaz: Turkey Wants Preservation Of Iraq's Territorial Integrity

ANKARA - State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, who also acts as the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP), said Turkey wanted preservation of Iraq's territorial integrity, stressing that they also wanted protection of the interests of Turkmens.
Yilmaz responded to the questions in a private tv channel.
Pointing out that conditions were not appropriate in that region to set up an independent state, Yilmaz said the United States also wanted Iraq's territorial integrity.
Yilmaz said, ''separation of Iraqi territory will not bring benefit to anybody. The United States will not also want this in a region looking for stability. The Middle East is a region which will meet oil needs of the world in the recent 50 years. There is a transition period in Iraq. This continues for 11 years. Turkey suffers the most in this period after Iraq. It is in question for a formation, continuing apart from our willingness, to pass to a new structure. The United States wants to overthrow Saddam with a new military intervention.''
When asked, ''there is a Kirkuk problem. Can Kirkuk be capital city?'' Yilmaz said, ''our policy is open. We are going through an examination. We should assume an attitude. We should be realistic while assuming this attitude. Can there be a military operation even if we oppose? It may take place. There are countries which will support it. The United States may launch an operation against Iraq with the facilities it has and with support. Can it go into a new structuring in Iraq? It may. It will be out of question for us to have the right to speak in a new structuring if we remain as spectator from our borders.''
Yilmaz said Turkey, which will have the position of an ally with the United States, will not allow unwanted situations if it takes place in a new structuring. ''If we fail to react, and if we remain as spectator, there will be unwanted results. If we manage to reveal a resolved attitude, we will not allow any issue which we don't want. I don't think that current administration will stay in Iraq. I believe that a new status and a new structuring will be formed there.''
Pointing out that Iraqi issue may be brought onto the Parliament to call for authority, Yilmaz said, ''I think we have approached to that point.''