Gul: We Do Not Want Division Of Iraq

DAVOS - Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Saturday, ''Turkey does not want division of Iraq. Turkey does not intend to take territories back from its neighbors. Turkmen and Kurdish people are our friends. We want to protect them in case of a possible war.''
Prime Minister Gul who is currently in Davos, Switzerland, to attend the World Economic Forum, held a press conference on ''Turkey's Economic Recovery''.
Recalling that he had visited Iraq's neighboring countries and Egypt a few days ago, Prime Minister Gul said, ''foreign ministers of these countries attended the meeting in Istanbul. I do not have a plan to go to Israel. But, this does not mean that I will not pay a visit to this country.''
When asked whether or not Turkey would allow the United States to use its military bases in a possible operation against Iraq, Prime Minister Gul said, ''only the parliament can take such a decision in accordance with our Constitution. International legality and legitimacy are of great importance to this end. We should assess whether or not we have enough time to find a peaceful solution. We should exhaust all possibilities.''
When asked, ''there are some news stories saying that Turkey is interested in Kirkuk oil. If the war goes out of control, does Turkey intend to take control of Kirkuk oil?'' Prime Minister Gul highlighted importance of Iraq's territorial integrity and added, ''Iraq's resources should belong to Iraqi people. Arabs, Kurds and Turkmen have become parts of Iraq. Naturally, they care about their own prosperity and want a peaceful solution. Turkey does not intend to take territories back from its neighbors. Of course, we are interested in the issue of Kirkuk. In what regard? We should ask this question. If peace and stability are settled in the region, then economic cooperation will further develop. Regional countries will make joint investments in a peaceful atmosphere. Turkey does not want division of Iraq.''
Prime Minister Gul described Kurdish parties in Northern Iraq as factors that affect situation.
Responding a question about news stories claiming that Turkey would protect Turkmen minority in case of a possible war, Prime Minister Gul told reporters, ''Turkey is an important part of this region. Turkmen and Kurds are our friends. Turks and Turkmen are relatives. We want to protect them in case of a possible war.''
''Turkmen minority accounts for an important part of the population. But, they are not represented in the country administration appropriately. The issue of Turkmen constituted a political problem between Turkey and Iraq,'' he said.
When asked whether or not Turkey asked NATO's assistance, Prime Minister Gul said, ''first of all, we should wait for reports of United Nations weapon inspectors.''
Responding another question, Prime Minister Gul told reporters that the meeting held in Istanbul with participation of the foreign ministers of five regional countries did not have any economic content.
Responding a question about his scheduled meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, Prime Minister Gul said, ''we will exchange views. As you know, U.S. President George W. Bush, Powell and United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan said that peace was still possible.''
When asked whether or not opposition to war would ease Turkey's European Union (EU) membership, Prime Minister Gul said, ''these are completely separate issues. I want to stress once again that war should be the last option.''
Emphasizing that the government was determined to put into practice all reforms, Prime Minister Gul said, ''we want a better progress report in 2003. Later, we plan to launch some initiatives to start accession talks with the EU earlier than expected.''
Replying a question regarding developments about Cyprus issue, Gul said that they were following a different policy about Cyprus issue.
''It maybe wrong or appropriate but there is such a perception that 'Turks do not want solution'. This is the thing that the world perceives. However, my government's policy is that 'yes, we accept that we need a solution and we are seriously working to this end. But if you put a unilateral pressure, there can't be a peaceful solution'. We do want an island where people live in peace. We at the same time want to join the European Union. If we join the EU, then it happens under a single frame and any dispute does not happen. We are exerting efforts to this end, of course,'' he said.
When asked whether or not a compromise would be reached until end of February, Gul said, ''to my government, insolubility is not a solution. Because, we know that this costs a lot. However, solution should be setisfactory not only for us but also for both sides. We think that both sides should take action.''
Meanwhile, replying a question, State Minister Ali Babacan recalled that Iraq had been one of Turkey's biggest commercial partners before the Gulf War. Noting that this amount had decreased to lower levels in the last decade, Babacan said that also some commercial opportunities had been lost.
Stressing that stability in Iraq made great contribution to Turkish economy, Babacan added, ''we want to revive our economic relations with all our neighboring countries.''