Yakis And Straw Holds A Joint Press Conference

ANKARA - Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis said on Tuesday, ''we are in favor of finding a peaceful solution to the issue of Iraq. But, if a military operation is required, Turkey will open its air space, and allow the United States to use its military facilities.''
Yakis and British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw held a joint press conference following their meeting.
Speaking at the press conference, Yakis said, ''we are in favor of finding a peaceful solution to the issue of Iraq. Before a military operation is launched, all alternatives should be tried.''
''But, if a military operation is required, Turkey will cooperate with the United States, because the United States is our ally, and we have perfect relations. Whenever it is necessary, we can broaden the dimension of our cooperation. It means that Turkey will open its air space, and allow the United States to use its military facilities,'' he said.
Speaking at the press conference, Straw said that the issues of Turkey's European Union (EU) full membership process, the EU's Copenhagen Summit, the solution plan of the United Nations about Cyprus, the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP), and Iraq were taken up at his contacts in Ankara.
Recalling that the solution plan of the United Nations was a great opportunity for the sides in Cyprus to solve the Cyprus question which could not be solved for 30 years, Straw said that the plan included satisfactory proposals for the both sides.
Straw said that he hoped the sides would seize this rare opportunity.
When asked whether or not a concrete progress could be recorded in Cyprus till Copenhagen Summit, Straw said that nine days were quite a long time, and they needed nothing but political will.
Responding a question about the issue of Iraq, Straw said that if Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein abided by resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, a military operation would not be required.
When asked whether or not they requested cooperation from Turkey in case of a possible military operation against Iraq, Straw said that they did not make such a request for the time being.
Straw noted that a Bilateral Action Plan worth of annual 3 million U.S. dollars was put into practice between Turkey and Britain, and added that they would give priority to fight against illicit drug trafficking.
Meanwhile, when asked whether or not a second resolution of the United Nations Security Council was required for a possible military operation against Iraq, Yakis said that the resolution no: 1441 did not allow use of force.
''Views of the Turkish public opinion will be influential in taking a decision to allow the U.S. forces to come to Turkey in a possible military operation,'' he said.
When asked whether or not preparations were under way, Yakis said, ''it is impossible to get prepared for such an operation in a night. Therefore, consultations between Turkish and U.S. military officials have been continuing for a while.''