ANKARA - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that Turkey is the most powerful country in the Middle East, adding, ''it's our duty to warn not only Iraq, but also all other countries in the region. Turkey is obliged to be the watchkeeper of the region.''
Speaking to private NTV television channel late on Tuesday, Ecevit answered several questions.
When asked about his opinions about a possible operation against Iraq, Ecevit said that the United States was planning such an operation, adding, ''once in every two days, U.S. President Bush talks about an attack on Iraq. So, we feel concern. The United States is a very close friend of Turkey and we have good relations, but Iraq is our friendly neighbor. So far, we have not faced a problem with Iraq.''
Noting that Turkey felt uneasy about the United States' initiatives for occupation and de facto division of Iraq, Ecevit said that Turkey suffered serious damage and losses due to an operation against Iraq and this had happened in the past.
Stressing that Turkey might face danger of great loss of lives in addition to serious amount of economic loss, Ecevit said, ''we are mentioning that we feel uneasy. We know that the United States can't launch such an operation without Turkey. So, we recommend them to give up such an operation.''
Noting that the U.S. administration couldn't say a satisfactory positive thing about an operation and it couldn't say, ''it won't spread to Turkey'', Ecevit said Turkey believed that the problem would be solved through more peaceful methods.
When asked what kind of things could be done to stay away from war, Ecevit said that every necessary thing had been done.
''We are taking measures in coordination with the General Staff, Presidential Palace and government to prevent spread of a war to Turkey when we face an operation that we don't want. We take pains to protect our rights without making concessions. It is not easy, of course. The United States is the only super power of the world. So, every country has to take this into consideration to a specific extent. And we are an experienced country. We take pains to protect our rights,'' he said.
Responding another question about Iraq, Ecevit said that necessary measures had been taken, adding, ''we are interested in this issue according to daily developments. We pay utmost attention to prevent any damage to Turkey and the region. We may face incidents beyond our will power and determination.''
When asked about his opinions about foundation of a Kurdish state in Northern Iraq, Ecevit said that the United States is the only super power of the world and Turkey has a strategic partnership with the United States.
Stressing that Turkey's relations with the United States couldn't be ignored, Ecevit said that they had explained that ''their every request couldn't be met''.
Noting that Turkey was against foundation of a Kurdish state in Northern Iraq, Ecevit said, ''a de facto Kurdish state may harm Turkey. There is a little militant minority. This creates problems for us. If a de facto Kurdish state in founded in Northern Iraq, they may also negatively affect the atmosphere in Turkey.''
When asked whether it was necessary to intervene in Northern Iraq, Ecevit said that some attitudes of the United States and Britain encouraged Kurdish groups in Northern Iraq, making Turkey feel concern.
Evaluating Massoud Barzani's statements, Ecevit said, ''we don't put a good interpretation on these statements, of course. External suggestions and encouragement unfortunately make the situation in Northern Iraq very objectionable and undesirable for Turkey. Attitudes of our friendly countries are the source of such incidents. This is not an incident created by Kurds in Northern Iraq. Since oil has gained more importance in the world, western countries have focused on Iraq. So it is not an incident stemming only from inside of Iraq.''
Noting that Turkey was experienced about Northern Iraq issue, Ecevit said that they would do their utmost to warn Iraq if the Democratic Left Party (DSP) came to power after polls.
''Turkey is the most powerful country in the Middle East. It's our duty to warn not only Iraq, but also all other countries in the region. Turkey is obliged to be the watchkeeper of the region,'' he said.
When asked whether or not Turkey had a policy toward the Middle East, Ecevit said, ''we face negative attitudes of many west European countries and the United States about the issue of Kurds. Turkey is doing its utmost for peace. It is not correct to say that Turkey doesn't do anything for the Middle East, but as you know, the Middle East is the most problematic region in the world. Without Turkey's position, everything in the Middle East becomes very complicated.''
When asked whether or not Turkey had soldiers in Northern Iraq, Ecevit said that there were many Turkmens in the region, adding, ''there are negative attitudes against them. From time to time, they face attacks of Kurdish groups and the Iraqi administration. We should be there to protect them from such dangers. We are doing our utmost to prevent any trouble in the region. There is Turkey's military existence in the region.''
Responding another question, Ecevit said he did not believe elections would be postponed due to a possible operation against Iraq.
Stressing that Turkey would not accept to join a war on its own will, Ecevit said, ''we don't want especially our young people to suffer pains and grieve again. We are taking measures.''