Gul: Turkey Does Not Enter A War

ANKARA - Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Tuesday studies of Turkey regarding Iraqi issue should not be perceived as preparation for war, nothing Turkey does not enter a war or a clash.
Speaking at his Party Group meeting, Gul said developments pertaining to Iraq came to a serious point, stating that, ''we can not be indifferent to those happening in Iraq. However, Turkey does not enter a war or a clash. Turkey's preparations in this respect should not be perceived as preparation for war.''
Gul stated that they wished the solution of the problem through principles of law, adding that he would convene Economic and Social Council this week and give information about Iraq.
Gul said he would meet with Barzani and Talabani acting in Northern Iraq, adding that, ''we can not act with orders and directives of anybody.
GUL: ''WE NEVER ALLOW INCIDENTS THAT MAY DRAG TURKEY INTO INSTABILITY''
Gul has said, ''we never allow such incidents that may drag Turkey into instability'' while evaluating killing of Associate Prof. Dr. Necip Hablemitoglu from Ankara University.
Gul said that Turkey was going through an important period and that several unexpected incidents happened while regular works were under way during this period.
Noting that killing of Hablemitoglu was last week's most important incident, Gul said that they attributed great importance to the issue and they were closely interested in the issue.
Gul said they considered assassination of Hablemitoglu as efforts of circles who wanted to drag the country into instability at a period when everything should be settled down and when Turkey reaches stability.
Gul said Interior Minister and all the concerned officials examined the issue carefully, stating that at a meeting he had with chairmen of intelligence and security units he gave the directives that ''you should follow up this issue and use your authority till to the end.''
Gul said, ''as this is not an ordinary murder, those who committed the murder planned it well. However, power of the state will overcome this. Because our government supports all the units.''
Stating that he personally knew Hablemitoglu and that he exchanged views on some issues, Gul said, ''we will never allow such incidents which will drag Turkey into instability. Such kind of incidents only reach success at times when there is uncertainty. Nobody should forget that there is a determined government in Turkey knowing what it should do.''
Describing President Ahmet Necdet Sezer's returning the constitutional amendment to the parliament to be debated again as one of the most important events of the last week, Prime Minister Gul said, ''President Sezer used his discretion. I cannot say anything. Now, the parliament will use its discretion.''
Recalling that 465 deputies attended the voting at the Parliamentary General Assembly for the constitutional amendment, and that 440 of them cast their votes in favor of it, Prime Minister Gul said that the compromise on the constitution amendment had been continuing.
''This constitutional amendment was not made only for AK Party leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan. A total of 3 thousand 700 people will benefit from this amendment. Our parliament which is in favor of freedoms, will have the determination to approve the amendment again,'' he added.
GUL: ''DEVELOPMENTS REGARDED WITH IRAQ REACHED A SERIOUS POINT''
Gul said on Tuesday that developments regarded with Iraq reached a serious point, stressing that, ''another duty of the government is to prepare Turkey against every kind of scenarios and developments. That's what we do. Turkey does not enter a war or clash. This is out of question. Those preparations should not be perceived as preparations for a war.''
Stating that developments regarded with Iraq reached a serious point, Gul said, ''Iraq is our neighbor. It is a brotherly country. Of course, we can not remain indifferent to those that would happen there. Not only us, but neither of us can remain indifferent. All the countries that are in the region should be more sensitive. The efforts our government exerts in this respect recently take place within this framework.''
Gul said that one of the missions of the government is to prepare Turkey for every kind of scenarios and developments and that they are fulfilling this. He added that Turkey is not joining a war or a clash and their mission is to prepare Turkey for every kind of scenarios against the developments in the neighbor country. He said that the meetings in the Prime Ministry on Monday and the earlier meetings were held for this aim and the meetings will surely continue, adding that those preparations should not be considered as war preparations.
Noting that he was pleased that the subject is discussed in the press, Gul said that Turkey is a democratic and open country and Turkish people have the right to know what is going on.
Gul said that they are informing opposition party continuously and he informed Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal about the meetings which were held in previous weeks. He added that he will convey recent developments to Baykal today and said that none of the governments has attributed such significance to opposition parties until now, but they have some expectations from the opposition as well. While attributing such an importance, he said that they also hope that this will be considered.
Stating that Prime Ministry Circular on reconnaissance operation from north would be taken up at the parliament on Wednesday, Gul said that latest developments would also be discussed at the parliament. He added that special meetings would be held in Foreign and Defense Commissions and detailed information would be given to the members.
Noting that they wanted all things which would take place in Iraq to be developed in law and legitimacy, Gul said that he clearly said those things to his interlocutors. He said that he told his interlocutors that there were issues in the authority of the parliament and the Constitution made it necessary.
Gul said, ''when we said these, we did not take a decision or make a commitment. But, I convey this procedure to you and public opinion. We are examining carefully military, political, strategic, commercial, economic and humane dimension of Iraq problem.''
Stating that they were taking into consideration national interests of Turkey and Turkish people and Turkey's position in the region in that examination, Gul said, ''we are also taking into consideration stability of the region and healthiness of people in the region. Since we are relatives of people of all countries in that region.''
''Meanwhile, we take our ally the United States's concerns and opinions serious. Our government attributes importance to have these issues undergone a process of consultation in which constitutional institutions, non-governmental organizations and real sector representatives will participate. Besides, we will convene the Economic and Social Council this week. As this issue has an economic dimension, we will discuss these issues with the council. We will inform them,'' he said.
Noting that Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan would touch on these issues in his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Gul said that Erdogan would ask Putin that everybody should fulfil his responsibility to have this issue solved through peaceful methods.
Recalling that he had met with the Turkmen Front officials, Gul said that he would have meetings with Jalal Talabani and Massoud Barzani, adding that they would continue expending efforts for a peaceful solution.
''All peoples living in this geography will be affected in case of a war in the region. Meanwhile, Iraq should fulfil its responsibilities. I especially remind the Iraq administration that it should have an open and complete cooperation with the United Nations and avoid actions that may interrupt the U.N. process. As the prime minister of friendly and sister country, I once again recommend these to Iraqi people. If peace is given an opportunity also with efforts of Iraq, Turkey fulfills its responsibilities to have Iraq take its safe and esteemed place in international community,'' Gul said.
''People of this region have been hurt due to war and fights. The regime and administrations in this region have great responsibilities. Carrying out unnecessary efforts and being a part of unnecessary provocations have never been in favor of the people of this region. We can't be indifferent to these developments. We don't act upon instructions and orders of anybody and upon any fait accompli. The only factor that we take serious is our country's and people's interests and peace and tranquility of people of the region. We are following the developments with a great responsibility. We are doing our best to have these developments resulted in peace,'' Gul added.