ANKARA - Gen. Hilmi Ozkok, the Chief of General Staff, said on Sunday that if there is to be an intervention against Iraq, it would be appropriate to hold it within international legal basis. ''We wish Iraqi administration to abide by the U.N. Security Council resolution reached unanimously, and not to pave ways for incidents that would cause hot developments in the region.''
Gen. Hilmi Ozkok, who returned to Turkey wrapping up his visit to the United States, made a press statement regarded with his contacts there.
Pointing out that his visit to the United States took place in two parts, Gen. Ozkok said in the first section of his visit, he had high level contacts in Washington D.C. He said in the second part, he held contacts in various military units and headquarters.
Gen. Ozkok said he was accompanied by a delegation from Foreign Ministry, and Faruk Logoglu, Turkey's Ambassador in Washington D.C.
Gen. Ozkok said, ''in the first section of my visit, I had face to face meetings with the U.S. Chief of General Staff Gen. Richard Myers, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, State Secretary Colin Powell, and U.S. President George W. Bush's National Security Adviser Condolezza Rice. Also, I talked with U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney. I exchanged views on various security policies and military issues with the officials of the friendly and ally United States within the contents of strategical partner. I particularly conveyed our views regarded with bilateral military relations, fight against international terrorism, NATO, EU, European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP), future of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, our expectations, views, concerns and wishes on Cyprus and Iraq. I listened to their views on the same issues. We also reviewed the facilities to improve cooperation on defense industry.''
Gen. Ozkok said, ''I stressed that military criteria and Turkey's increasing importance should absolutely be taken into consideration primarily within the scope of the new command structure carried out in NATO. I reiterated our principle views on the EU and ESDI and the importance of the support of the United States in this respect.''
Gen. Ozkok said he explained the possible negative effects of Cyprus's EU membership on political solution on the island by making references to particularly London and Zurich agreements, the facts experienced on the Island, the TRNC people, and their legal rights. Gen. Ozkok said, ''by revealing that Cyprus is indispensable for Turkey's security, I expressed my belief that Cyprus's entrance to the EU together with Turkey would bring solution to many probable crises.''
Pointing out that the United States was one of the countries who could understand Turkey's sufferings after it experienced September 11 terrorist attack, Gen. Ozkok said it was saddening that what Turkey wanted to disclose for years on terrorism was confirmed with such an incident. He said some countries could not still comprehend the importance of international cooperation in fight against terrorism.
Gen. Ozkok said, ''we have contributed to the international efforts in fight against terrorism carried out under the leadership of the United States. I was pleased to see that the United States appreciated the success of ISAF carried out under the leadership of Turkey.''
Stressing that Iraqi issue was also taken up during his contacts, Gen. Ozkok said he got the impression that the United States was determined to purify Iraq from mass destruction weapons and exclude it from being a threat. He said a political decision has not been taken yet to this end.
Gen. Ozkok said Turkey wished Iraqi administration to abide by the decisions of the United States Security Council and not to pave ways for incidents which may cause hot developments in the region.
''The outlines of what we have conveyed on Iraq during the contacts was that as it was reiterated in the latest U.N. resolution, mass destruction weapons constitute a very serious source of concern for the region. If possible, solution of the problem through peaceful means is important. If there is to be an intervention, holding it within an international legal basis will be appropriate. Formations in northern part of Iraq, which Turkey will oppose, should not be given opportunity. Preservation of rights of Turkmens, as well as other ethical groups in Iraq, is another issue which we attribute importance. It is of vital importance to take measures which will compensate the loses Turkey suffered during the Gulf War and the economic loses which it may suffer in a new possible intervention.''
Ozkok said that he had the opportunity to meet with representatives of Turkish American Council at a breakfast. He noted that such organizations had an important place in U.S. political system, stating that exchanging views with Council representative on several issues was very beneficial.
Pointing out that he then had a short meeting with the representatives of the lobby supporting Turkey in the United States, Ozkok went on saying, ''I visited an infantry division and a commando school in Georgia. I also paid a courtesy visit to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander. During my visit, I had the opportunity to debate international fight against terrorism. I also visited Cape Canaveral and Cape Kennedy space centers in Florida. I can say that this visit was very useful for Turkey's decision to join space activities.''
Ozkok noted that he was welcomed warmly in all military units and headquarters in the United States and added, ''this hospitality of course stemmed from importance of my country. I once more thank U.S. officials.''
Asked what kind of demands were made from Turkey for a probable operation on Iraq and asked if this issue was brought onto the agenda during those contacts, Ozkok said, ''we have not received any official demand at the moment.''
When a reporter said, ''you said in your statement that you conveyed to the other side that a formation which is not approved by Turkey should not be permitted in the north of Iraq'' and asked about the possibility of giving permission to that formation according to his impressions, Ozkok said, ''I did not come accross with any statement that such a formation will be permitted.''
Asked if a result was reached about the extension of mandate of ISAF, Ozkok said, ''we received this as an unofficial intention because the country that will take over the mandate has to make plans. But, I stated that we want to hand over the mandate to another country in the normal period that is December 20 because otherwise, some problems will occur and there can be some economic costs. We are awaiting the developments.''
When a reporter said, ''during your visit, some U.S.-oriented news said that the U.S. government was preparing assistance for Turkey worth of 5 billion U.S. dollars or in different amounts'' and asked if such an assistance was brought onto the agenda during his contacts, Ozkok said, ''as I have said before, I stated that we had significant economic losses during the Gulf Crisis, all our people were negatively affected and that we expect a possible new operation to give more damages to Turkey. I also stated that these economic losses have to be compensated in a way.''
On a question saying, ''the U.S. news organs are saying that Turkey's bases can be used in a possible operation on Iraq. What is the situation,'' Ozkok said, ''such a demand will be made to political authorities in Turkey by putting into practice procedures in the state. I am not in the position to make a further statement.''
When asked if Turkish personnel could be sent to the United States related with the space activities, Ozkok said, ''I debated this isuse. Efforts are under way about this issue. A space agency is being formed. Turkish Air Forces and Istanbul Technical University have a project and approaches towards this issue. Turkey has to deal with this isuse. As I personally closely follow this issue and saw those places, I once more saw that this decision and hope of Turkey is very rationalist. I hope we will all be happy when we take a role in space activities one day.''