DAVOS - Prime Minister Abdullah Gul and Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan who are currently in Davos, Switzerland, met late on Saturday with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell.
Following the meeting which lasted for about an hour and ten minutes, Prime Minister Gul told reporters, ''we held a very positive meeting. No one wants war. We will continue holding contacts.''
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Powell said in his part that they had held an extensive discussion on the use of Turkish bases in a possible military operation against Iraq.
Highlighting importance of the next week, Powell said that weapon inspectors in Iraq would submit their report to the United Nations Security Council; U.S. President George W. Bush would address the U.S. nation on Tuesday, and he would hold meetings with foreign ministers of the United Nations Security Council.
GUL: ''IT WAS AN OPEN, SINCERE AND HONEST MEETING''
Gul said, ''we held an open, sincere and honest meeting. We expressed our concerns. And they explained their views. Mr. Powell praised Ankara's efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the Iraq crisis, including a meeting of Middle East foreign ministers on Thursday. War is nobody's preference. We want peace. Mr. Powell said openly no one wants war, everyone would prefer a peaceful resolution. We said that we gave importance to international legitimacy. We told him that only the parliament could take decisions on these issues according to the Constitution of the Republic of Turkey. We stressed that the parliament would seek international legitimacy while taking such a decision, and the deputies were responsible for their voters, and everything should be carried out under resolutions of the United Nations.''
''At the meeting, I informed Mr. Powell on my impressions I got during my tour of Middle East countries. I explained views of the regional leaders. I emphasized that everything should be done to find a solution without war and all avenues should be exhausted for peace. Meanwhile, he informed us on schedule in coming days,'' he added.

''TURKISH NIGHT'' HOSTED IN DAVOS
A number of Turkish and foreign guests were in attendance at the ''Turkish Night'' hosted in Davos, Switzerland under the meetings of the World Economic Forum to promote historical and modern culture of Turkey.
Prime Minister Abdullah Gul and Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan hosted the night.
State Minister Ali Babacan for Economy, National Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul, Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan and Health Minister Recep Akdag also attended the Turkish Night.
During the night, Turkish history, culture and art were promoted.
Azra Akin, who took the Miss World crown in a contest in British capital London on December 7, 2002, ballerinas and models introduced historical and modern Turkish costumes.
The guests were offered samples of Turkish cuisine.
Foreign Minister George Papandreou of Greece, international investor George Soros, Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa and famous Indian composer Ravi Shankar were among the guests.

ERDOGAN: ''WE HAVE MANY CONCERNS ABOUT IRAQ. HOW DO YOU KNOW A WEAPON OF MASS DESTRUCTION WOULD NOT BE FIRED?''
During the night, Erdogan met with Foreign Minister George Papandreou of Greece.
Noting that they had been monitoring all developments about the Iraq issue, Papandreou said that strategical partnership between Turkey and Greece entailed them to follow all developments.
Referring to Turkey's European Union (EU) full membership process, Greek Foreign Minister Papandreou said that they wanted to work together with Turkey, and added that they understood Turkey's hesitations.
Noting that he would meet with foreign ministers of EU member countries on Monday as the term president of the EU, Papandreou said that he would tell them about Turkey's sensitivities.
Later, Papandreou met with Prime Minister Abdullah Gul.
Meanwhile, responding a question, Erdogan said, ''we have many concerns about Iraq. How do you know and say a weapon of mass destruction would not be fired?''
GUL: WE DO NOT TRY TO GAIN PRESTIGE THROUGH IRAQ ISSUE
Gul said, ''I held a meeting with Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou. He told me that they attributed great importance to our peaceful initiatives, and added that they wanted to join us.''
''The next two weeks are of great importance in regard to Iraq. Mr. Papendreou may come to Turkey on Friday. He told us that Turkey had launched the initiative for peace. After his meeting with us, Papandreou met with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell,'' he said.
Prime Minister Gul said, ''as you know, U.S. President George W. Bush sent a message to us. In his message, President Bush praised our initiatives and efforts for peace. As I said before, the next two weeks are of great importance in regard to Iraq. A meeting could be held in Syrian capital Damascus next week. Neither I nor Turkey try to gain prestige through the Iraq issue. During my contacts, I stressed this.''