ANKARA - U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Richard Myers said on Monday that the U.S. President George Bush has not yet taken a definite decision regarding the operation toward Iraq.
Myers responded to the questions of reporters before departing from Turkey.
Recalling that he had exchanged views with Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok during his visit to the United States, Myers said today's meeting was also very positive.
Gen. Myers said issues concerning Turkey, United States, and the region and fight against terrorism were discussed during his meeting with Gen. Ozkok and National Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul.
When asked how he evaluated the recent developments in the region, Myers said he would like to state that the U.S. President has not yet taken a definite decision about war, and stated that there was not any lack of cooperation between Turkey and the United States. Myers said Turkey had always been open for cooperation, noting that details of this have been discussed with the Turkish Armed Forces.
General Myers said main reason of the United States regarded with deployment of soldiers and ammunition in the region, was to expend support to the United Nations and to show determination of the United States for purification of Iraq from mass destruction weapons.
Responding to another question, Myers said strategic partnership between Turkey and the United States is in question, stating that he was sure that the visions which both sides share for the region are the same.
When asked whether or not more U.S. soldiers would be deployed to the region in the future, Myers said talks and studies continued, and that he did not want to comment on it.
When journalists reminded Gen. Myers the news reports regarded with sending Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to exile, he said nobody wanted war, and that not war but diplomacy was preferred.
Stating that the U.N. Security Council very clearly expressed its expectations from Iraq, Gen. Myers said prevention of war depended on Iraq, yet that they would not refrain from using force if necessary. Yet he also said this was not the alternative preferred at the time being.
Myers said the U.S. administration did not convey any impatience message to the Turkish government, noting that he left Turkey being convinced that Turkey would continue to be a very strategic position.
Myers said five-way summit, that is planned to take place on January 23, was a ''positive initiative''.