ANKARA - U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Robert Pearson said on Wednesday that they were exerting utmost efforts for finding a peaceful solution to Iraq issue.
Pearson visited Aid organization Kizilay (Red Crescent) Chairman Ertan Gonen.
Gonen said that Pearson earlier donated blood to Red Crescent and noted that good relations were being continued at the highest level.
Stating that Pearson visited Red Crescent Directorate General for the first time, Gonen said that he and Pearson discussed what kinds of contribution they could make to relations between Red Crescent and U.S. Red Cross. Gonen noted that he informed Pearson about activities of Red Crescent at the meeting.
Pearson said that he was very pleased to visit Red Crescent and stated that there have been very good relations among U.S. Embassy, U.S. Red Cross and Red Crescent so far.
Stating that he received detailed information about responsibilities of Red Crescent, Pearson noted that he visited Red Crescent to get information not to make a plan. He added that they wanted good relations to be continued.
When asked if they discussed cooperation issue related to migration which might occur after a possible operation against Iraq, Gonen stressed that Red Crescent was an institution which had responsibility to be ready for all extraordinary conditions and added that a population movement which might take place on Iraq border was an extraordinary situation.
Stating that they always explained in every opportunity that Red Crescent was ready for such conditions, Gonen said, ''I hope that such an event will not occur. But we explained a general view on which things Red Crescent can do in case of such a situation at the meeting.''
Replying to the same question, Pearson said that he shared similar views with Gonen and noted that Red Crescent had a responsibility in case of a flow of refugees to Turkey.
Pearson said that he wanted to have information about views of Red Crescent on that issue and added that they were working very hard to find a peaceful solution to Iraq issue.
Pearson noted that they were holding meetings with colleagues and friends there to be ready in case of such a situation.
When a reporter said, ''you talk about a preparation. Did you propose to extend financial support to Red Crescent?'' Pearson said that they have been in cooperation with Red Crescent since 1999 Marmara quake.
Asked whether they demanded anything from the United States in case of a possible operation against Iraq, Gonen said that International Red Crescent-Red Cross, United Nations and International Red Cross Committee had responsibility regarding that issue.
Gonen said, ''I discussed further improvement of general relations with Pearson. U.S. Red Cross has extended several supports to Turkey since 1999. Those supports can be continued as a natural result of events.''