Kapusuz: Uncertainty Of The Operation Against Iraq Affects Turkey Negatively

ANKARA - Justice and Development Party (AKP) Group Acting Leader Salih Kapusuz said on Tuesday that the uncertainty of an operation against Iraq is affecting Turkey negatively.
Kapusuz said in a press conference that Turkey is following Iraq issue carefully and he added that the United States contradicts both in itself and in its statements.
Noting that the uncertainty of the issue affects Turkey negatively, Kapusuz said that they would like the United States to base its Iraq policy on international laws and they do not approve if the United States takes a decision alone. He added that they would like to know what the United States is planning about the issue.
Noting that the United States says ''operation against Iraq is very soon'' on the one hand and ''we haven't decided yet'' on the other, Kapusuz said: ''This uncertainty brings problems for Turkey. Turkey is paying a price for this uncertainty. We think that the United States should base its policy on international legitimacy. We do not find appropriate a decision given by the United States alone concerning the issue. The decisions taken by the United States alone, and the steps that will be taken accordingly, will be an example in the wrong path for the future. Before everything, we would like to know what the United States want to do.''
Recalling that the United States had announced that it would intervene in Iraq to eliminate its mass destruction weapons, Kapusuz said it should prefer methods that are not including war while doing this. He added that they are also against an operation that will be launched by the United States to overthrow Saddam Hussein.
Upon a question of a reporter on head scarf issue, Kapusuz said that economic issues have the priority for them, adding that Turkey has serious problems such as starvation and poverty. ''We believe that there are things that should be changed in the current Constitution. Our main goal is to bring the conditions in the EU process to Turkey. We want to increase the standards of living and to develop Turkey. The priority of nation is our priority. And the basis here is on economy.''