Gul: Iraq Should Convince Everybody That It Is Not A Threat

ANKARA - Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Monday that Iraq should convince everybody that it is not a threat about mass destruction weapons subject.
Gul who was holding contacts in Egypt said on CNN International that everybody has a responsibility for peace and added ''We are living in this region and came here for consultation for a solution other than violence.''
Noting that he believes that there is still a chance to find a peaceful solution for Iraq issue, Gul said that every alternatives should be tried about it.
Upon a question, Gul said that Iraq should fully comply with the United Nations Security Council's resolutions, adding that Iraq should convince the world that it did not constitute a threat of mass destruction weapons. He said that they will learn if such a threat exists with the report of U(.N. arms inspectors. He said that inspectors are still in Iraq and continue their inspection. As far as we know, Iraq regime is cooperating with them, he added.
When recalled that 83 percent of Turkish people are against the United States' using the bases, Gul said that Turkey suffered significant economic and political losses during the Gulf Crisis and authority vacuum appeared in Northern Iraq, increasing terrorist activities there. He noted that Turkish people feel concern about a war due to those reasons.
Upon a question whether he will allow Bush administration use bases, Gul said that according to Turkish Constitution, parliament can decide this.
Noting that Turkey is grateful for the United States' support in economical issues and European Union membership, Gul said, ''we are strategical allies with the United States. Our relationships are very deep and old. We surely will continue our cooperation in the future.''
When asked whether it is possible to send Iraq leader Saddam Hussein into exile to an Arab country in the region, Gul said that he does not know this and added that he started his Middle East tour to find a peaceful solution to the problem and to exchange views. He said, ''we should prove that we fulfilled all of our responsibility about this subject.''