Gul: Government Will Resist Till The End To Protect Rights Of Turkish Cypriots

ANKARA - Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Friday that ''if a result that does not satisfy Turkey comes out in Cyprus, we will resist till the end to protect the rights of Turkish Cypriots.''
Responding to questions of journalists at CNN Turk, Prime Minister Gul said that sending back the constitutional amendment law was the appreciation of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer.
''We must see this fact here that, such an amendment has not only been adopted by the votes of AK Party. A cooperation was made to make such an amendment. CHP and independent deputies also supported the adoption of the law. The constitutional amendment should not be seen as an amendment done for one person,'' Gul said.
When asked if he risks a referendum, Gul said that ''this is the appreciation of President Sezer. It is his constitutional right to resort to referendum. I don't want to affect the views of Mr. President, but I think that it is not appropriate to go to referendum in such circumstances in Turkey.''
Upon a question about the assassination of Hablemitoglu, Prime Minister Gul said that ''this is a very sad and important incident, because a new period started in Turkey. Turkey needed political stability and this started. Turkey now should leap forward, undertake radical transformations and make its people happy. All of us launch efforts to this end. In such a period, a murder which is similar to the ones in the old dark days took place.'' Gul said that he met with the Interior Minister and the director of the intelligence organisation and took their views, adding that the government is very resolved to clarify this murder.
When reminded about the statement of the Interuniversities Council which criticized the government, Prime Minister Gul said that the claims saying that the government would have a power on the universities are not pleasing.
Gul said that radical reforms and transformations will be undertaken in Turkey, adding that universities will also benefit from that. ''We won't let status quo to continue in Turkey, there must be big changes in universities. We will end the injustice in the system of entering university. This will be through legal ways. Higher Board of Education (YOK) won't be an institution which will keep them under strict control.''
Upon a question on Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis's statement and Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal's criticism on Cyprus issue, Gul said, ''in fact the thing that was done by Foreign Ministry is a comprehensive analysis. Maybe, this could not be in front of a camera.''
When asked whether there was a different approach on Cyprus issue between Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas and the government, Gul said, ''it can be, and it should be considered normal.''
Gul stated that the only matter Denktas thought was Cyprus, noting that they were looking from a more comprehensive prespective to the issue. He added that however everybody aimed to reach a solution on the issue.
''If a decision which does not satisfy the government is reached, we will resist to protect rights of Turkish Cypriot people till the end. A satisfactory decision should come out. I'm hopeful about the issue. We will exert efforts to reach a mutual agreement till February 28,'' Gul said.
When recalled that bases in Turkey were opened to use of the United States to make inspection due to a possible U.S. operation against Iraq, Gul said, ''Turkey and the United States are in a strategic cooperation, but the more important thing is that capacities of some airports in Turkey are already in records of NATO, as Turkey is a member of the NATO. Thing that you said is only a review of those things, which are already known in studies of NATO. Those studies are not only made in Turkey but also in other NATO countries. There is no development regarding the usage of airports or stocking of anything in airports.''
Upon a question asking what kind of assistance Turkey could do on Iraqi issue to the United States, Gul said that Turkey, as a neighbour country, was closely interested in the issue.
Stating that Turkey did not want a war and things which may take place in Iraq were not under control of Turkey, Gul said that if such an intervention took place in Iraq, Turkey would not keep its eyes close and Turkey was in preparation against all kinds of alternatives.
Gul said, ''the important point is that what we can do together with the United States and to what extent. We have no commitments at the moment.''
When asked if negotiations were continuing, Gul said, ''of course, negotiations are continuing. Turkey's attitude will be definite when results are reached as a result of negotiations. Turkey is a democratic country. Firstly, thought of people is taken into consideration. Secondly, there is a parliament. There are some issues that are in authority of the parliament.''
Gul said that Turkey had no clear decision on its attitude toward a possible operation against Iraq for the moment and added that decision on that issue would be taken soon.
''We will take a decision on the issue soon. We are a friend of the United States. Therefore they also should know Turkey's attitude. The United States should know to what extent Turkey is involved in this matter and to what extent it is not involved.''
When reminded about the news telling that the government did not want British soldiers in Turkey, Gul said that the government did not make a statement on the issue, but they had to take into consideration historical facts, adding that evaluations concerning the past and future should be made when taking a decision.