Sener: Relations With United States And Iraq Have Been Reviewed

ANKARA - State Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Government Spokesman Abdullatif Sener has said that at the summit meeting on Iraq issue, which was chaired by Prime Minister Abdullah Gul, latest developments about relations with the United States and Iraq had been reviewed and exchange of opinions had been made on the issues of how those developments might affect Turkey and what kind of measures could be taken.
Noting that a political decision on the issue had not been taken, Sener said that preparation of a Council of Ministers circular on dispatch of troops to the region had not been discussed.
Following the summit meeting that lasted nearly four hours late on Monday, Sener held a press conference.
Stating that developments between the United States and Iraq were being followed by the world public opinion, Sener said that also neighboring countries were closely following possible incidents that might occur in the region.
Stressing that an incident that happened in a place in the world affected whole world under current conditions of globalization, Sener said that states, governments and administrations were closely following such developments and envisioning the impacts of those developments.
''Similarly, the public opinion in Turkey closely follows incidents in our neighboring countries and the press shows interest in these issues. At our meeting today, developments about relations with the United States and Iraq have been reviewed. Exchange of opinions has been made on these developments and on different possible alternatives and information has been given. Exchange of opinions has been made on what different alternatives that can appear in these developments about relations with the United States and Iraq, can be. Negotiations have been made on how these developments can affect Turkey and what kind of measures we can take. It was a regular meeting.''
When asked what kind of alternatives they had discussed, Sener said that every kind of alternative was in question. ''Because, nothing is clear before an incident happens. So there is an alternative that nothing will happen while there are also several different alternatives that an operation may take place. A state evaluates all alternatives together with its results, of course. Similarly, we have reviewed these different alternatives and exchanged opinions on possible effects on Turkey.''
Replying a question, Sener said that preparation of a Council of Ministers circular on dispatch of troops to the region had not come to the agenda.
When asked whether or not Tuesday's Council of Ministers meeting would focus on Iraq issue, Sener said that any political decision on the issue had not been taken. ''So determination of this issue in the dimensions you have mentioned is out of question.''
When asked whether or not they were wating for the National Security Council meeting for a final decision, Sener said, ''no, this does not have any connection.''
When asked whether or not the government had given permission for investigation at bases by the U.S. experts, Sener said, ''I clearly said that a political decision was not taken. Besides, such an issue was out of question. At this stage, there is not a serious situation. We have only evaluated the developments.''
Responding a question which said, ''U.S. Ambassador in Ankara Robert Pearson said that Turkey's support was satisfactory while you said that any political decision was not taken. What do think about Pearson's statement?'' Sener said, ''actually, we are not at such a point. However, there can be rightful evaluations. Today's meeting's content did not include such dimensions and level you have mentioned.''
When recalled of Prime Minister Gul's statement saying, ''we will give response to demands soon'', Sener said, ''we will follow developments about this issue and other issues together.''
When asked whether or not an extraordinary measure would be taken about the economy, Sener said, ''actually, our current position in terms of economy will be affected at minimum level, of course. Because, we have already taken necessary economic measures by envisaging possible developments.''