COPENHAGEN - Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived on Wednesday in Copenhagen, Denmark where European Union (EU) Summit will be held.
Turkey's Copenhagen Ambassador Fugen Ok welcomed Erdogan, Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis and accompanying delegation.
Erdogan will meet with British Prime Minister Tony Blair today.
ERDOGAN: TURKEY WILL BE UNDER SERIOUS THREAT IN A POSSIBLE MILITARY OPERATION AGAINST IRAQ
Erdogan responded questions of journalists aboard the plane on his way from the United States to Denmark.
Recalling that he had been briefed at the Pentagon on the issues of Iraq and terrorism during his visit to the United States, Erdogan said, ''I received information about current situation. They did not talk about a possible military operation. They told me that Turkey had been under a serious threat of weapons of mass destruction. Although they have the tendency to solve the problem through peaceful methods, I got the impression that the alternative of military operation has been influential. They did not talk about a date for a possible military operation.''
''I asked them how Turkey would be protected from weapons of mass destruction. However, I could not receive an answer to my question. They also informed me on Al-Qaeda and Al-Ansar terrorist organizations. I told them Turkey was one of the countries suffering the heaviest loss in the Gulf War in 1991. Economy in the region suffered a heavy blow,'' he said.
Pointing out that such an action that may happen in the neighboring country would effect Turkey immediately, Erdogan said, ''we will be effected whether or not we enter this. Turkey should evaluate this point well. The United States accepts our loss in 1991 and finds us rightful, however that there is an atmosphere as if this was left in the past. We told them that our loss is around 100 billion U.S. dollars. We have not made any bargaining regarded with our losses in a possible operation.''
Erdogan said the U.S. officials stated that they were not positive toward establishment of a state in Northern Iraq, adding that, ''it will be a mistake to think that mass destruction weapons are not a serious danger. I stated the losses which Turkey will have. Tourism and economy will be affected. Our economic activities will be removed. The method to reduce the loss to the minimum is not being involved in this operation.''
Erdogan said he asked the U.S. President George W. Bush whether or not Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Syria would be included in a possible operation, adding that he got the impression that countries that are in southern part of Iraq completed their preparations.
Stating that difficulty of the United States stemmed from the north, Erdogan said, ''cost of this will decrease if their demands in the north is fulfilled. However, this will cost much to Turkey.''
Erdogan said ''simple figures'' like 1-2 billion U.S. dollars were stated regarded with meeting the losses of Turkey.
Briefing about his meeting with the U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, Erdogan recalled that Annan put a new plan into enforcement, stating that, ''I mean they put B plan into enforcement. That is, the canton issue. This map is worse. We have just received the 15-article plan which Annan prepared recently. I could not examine it yet. They are waiting for a response from us. If Denktas could not go to Copenhagen, it will be beneficial if he sends a representative to hold negotiations. Negotiation does not mean accepting.''
Upon another question, Erdogan said that the United States is waiting for Turkey's attitude about Iraq issue.
Noting that it will be unjust if the negotiation date for Turkey is postponed to 2004 or 2005 in Copenhagen, Erdogan said that this means a detain for Turkey.
Erdogan said that EU uses Cyprus as an excuse and added that Turkey fulfilled many of Copenhagen criteria and those criteria do not comprise Cyprus question.
Upon a question, Erdogan said that if 2004-2005 is given as a date, they will evaluate this.
When asked whether public's view will be asked in determining Turkey's approach to a possible operation against Iraq, Erdogan said that Turkey is a democratic country and in such a country, Parliament should take most of the decision. He added that if it is necessary, the view of public should be asked and also the idea of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer is important. He said that he will evaluate this subject in his institutions.
Erdogan also gave information about his meetings with the United States President George W. Bush and Kofi Annan.
Erdogan said that Bush said to him that he is a religious person and Islamic culture is an important culture and he respects the values of Muslims.
Noting that Annan addressed to him as ''Prime Minister'', Erdogan said that Annan's adviser warned him as ''He has not been a Prime Minister yet''. He added that Annan said ''This is certain. In any case, we will celebrate his Prime Ministry two months later.''