Cyprus Meeting In Cankaya

ANKARA - Presidential Foreign Affairs Chief Adviser Tacan Ildem said on Wednesday that attitude of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) that it found solution plan of the U.N. Secretary General as negotiatible and its determination, was supported by Turkey, stressing that, ''we expect Southern Cyprus Greek Cypriot administration to exhibit a more constructive attitude in the coming period.''
Speaking at the meeting held in Cankaya Palace where foreign policy issues were discussed, Ildem said developments on Iraq were discussed at the meeting held under the leadership of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer.
Ildem stressed that purification of Iraq from mass destruction weapons, and reaching this target through peaceful means was important for regional stability.
Ildem said, ''Under resolution no:1441 of the U.N. Security Council, it has been stressed that Iraqi administration should be in concrete cooperation with the international society to purify Iraq from mass destruction weapons.''
He said Turkey's attutide that usage of military power against Iraq could only take place under international legitimacy is still valid. He said, ''it is known that Turkey is in regular consultation with its ally United States in this respect. It is inevitable that a new Iraqi operation will have negative effects on Turkey's economy, which suffered a lot during Gulf War. Turkey favors solution of this question without the need to use force.''
Ildem said President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) participated in the part of the meeting where Cyprus issue was discussed, stressing that a detailed consultation took place during this meeting.
Ildem said Turkey wanted TRNC to live in peace, tranquility and prosperity and to get rid of the embargoes which it had to face unjustly. He said Turkey wants TRNC to integrate with the international community.
Pointing out that TRNC favored finding a just and lasting solution so far, Ildem said, ''it is obvious that there are constructive contributions to the efforts carried out so far within the framework of the U.N. Secretary General's good will mission. It can be remembered that it had been stated that the U.N. Secretary General's solution plan was found as negotiable. This is still valid. Determination of TRNC to continue the talks is supported by Turkey. Turkey believes that any solution that would be found in Cyprus should consider security and sovereign equality of TRNC and strategic interests of Turkey and the TRNC. It also believes that this solution should base on a new partnership which will consider balances between the motherlands.''
Ildem said, ''we expect Southern Cyprus Greek Cypriot administration to exhibit a constructive attitude in the coming period. Turkey will continue to support TRNC and Turkish Cypriot people under the leadership of Mr. Denktas.''
ILDEM: THERE IS A WRONG IMPRESSION THAT AN OPERATION WILL BE LAUNCHED AGAINST IRAQ IN A VERY SHORT TIME
When a journalist reminded Ildem the statement made by the Foreign Ministry today and asked whether or not the manner of Greek Cypriot side toward the negotiations, in case of its membership to the European Union (EU), was discussed in the meeting, he recalled that at the news briefing held last week, it had been stressed that the decision taken in EU Copenhagen Summit regarded with Cyprus was unacceptable with respect to international law. Ildem said Foreign Ministry reiterated this view today.
Ildem added that the important thing now is that Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) should bring up its will to continue the negotiations.
Upon a question whether or not the President had any evaluation or warning against the recent statements of Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis about Cyprus issue, Ildem said ''No'' and added that the meeting had a very sincere milieu.
When he was asked about Prime Minister Abdullah Gul's tour covering the countries in the region about Iraq subject, Ildem said that Turkey was sensitive about the developments in its neighbour Iraq adding that those developments were evaluated by all the authorities in coordination.
When a journalist stated that the United States had demands to carry out examinations in some military bases in Turkey, Ildem said, ''it is known that Turkey and the United States have consultation mechanism stemming from the ally relationship with the United States. Those consultations are carried out in a way covering developments in Iraq. Thats all I can say.''
When asked if new openings of Southern Cyprus Administration toward the Turkish Cypriot people were evaluated at the meeting, Ildem said, ''all the conditions regarded with Cyprus question were evaluated at the meeting. I will not be able to state which issues were specifically mentioned.''
Responding to a question whether or not preparations of Turkish Armed Forces against Iraqi Operation were taken up, Ildem said, ''I think there is a misunderstanding in our public. I think different news reports and concerns stem from the the press and its interpretations. First of all I want to underline that there is not a situation to feel concern that there would be an operation tomorrow on in the near future. All those developments are being evaluated in such a summit meeting. We believe that solution should be found to the problems through peaceful means and we preserve our hope in this respect.''
Prime Minister Abdullah Gul, Gen. Hilmi Ozkok, the Chief of General Staff, Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis, Presidency Secretary General Kemal Nehrozoglu, Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal, Prime Ministry Undersecretary Fikret Uccan, General Staff Operation Chairman Gen. Koksal Karabay and Ildem participated in the meeting.