GUL: “THERE MAY BE ANOTHER SUMMIT TO PROMOTE PEACE IN IRAQ”
Appearing on television yesterday, Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said that Turkey could participate in another meeting with its Middle Eastern neighbors to reach a peaceful resolution in Iraq. This meeting would be held in Damascus, Syria, rather than Istanbul, the venue for the last summit on Iraq, said the prime minister. Gul called the next two weeks “critical” in deciding whether war would come, adding that it would be difficult for Turkey to stay on the sidelines during such a situation. Also touching on the Cyprus issue, Gul said that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) should negotiate pragmatically and in good faith. He added that time was running out to reach an agreement for the island before Feb. 28, a UN-EU deadline. “The [AKP] government will take steps in the interests of both the TRNC and Turkey,” Gul added. /Aksam/
GUL, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER BLAIR CONFER ON IRAQ ISSUE
Prime Minister Abdullah Gul yesterday received a telephone call from British Prime Minister Tony Blair. During their conversation, Blair briefed Gul on recent developments concerning a possible US-led operation against Iraq. Blair is also expected to meet with United States President George W. Bush on Friday to discuss the Iraq situation. Britain has been the closest ally to the US in the leadup to a possible war, and US officials have been courting Turkey aggressively in recent weeks to cooperate in war preparations. /Milliyet/
ERDOGAN: “THIS WEEK IS CRITICAL IN THE LEADUP TO A POSSIBLE WAR IN IRAQ”
Speaking on television yesterday, ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that this week was a critical one with regards to a possible US-led operation against Iraq, adding that he was still hopeful for a peaceful resolution of the situation. Asked if he would visit Iraq, Erdogan said that he had no plans to do so. He remarked that Turkey enjoys a strong relationship with the United States and that he wanted this bond to continue. The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) will take all measures needed in case of a war, said Erdogan, adding that the AKP government wanted Iraq to maintain its territorial integrity. /Turkiye/
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER YALCINBAYIR: “IN CASE OF A WAR, THE US SHOULD COMPENSATE TURKEY’S ECONOMIC LOSSES”
Deputy Prime Minister Ertugrul Yalcinbayir yesterday remarked that the US should pay financial compensation to Turkey in case of a war in Iraq. “The Bush administration should compensate any [economic] losses that Turkey incurs, since it is putting pressure on our country to support it during a possible Iraq war,” added Yalcinbayir. “This should be considered a price for the panic they have caused in our country.” /Star/
BAYKAL: “THE AKP GOVERNMENT SHOULD STAND BY DENKTAS”
Speaking at his party’s group meeting yesterday, opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal spoke out against the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government’s policy on Cyprus, urging the administration to be firmer in standing by the Turkish Cypriots. Baykal said that just as Greece Prime Minister Costas Simitis supported the leader of Greek Cyprus, so AKP leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan should throw his support behind Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas, and suggested that failing to do so could leave Denktas in a precarious position. Also touching on a possible US-led operation against Iraq, Baykal said that such an operation lacked any political, moral, or legal basis. Turkey shouldn’t participate in such an operation, stated the CHP leader, adding, “Our party is opposed to war in the region.” /Milliyet/
DE SOTO: “REACHING A SOLUTION FOR CYPRUS DEPENDS ON BOTH SIDES”
Alvaro de Soto, the United Nations’ special envoy for Cyprus, yesterday arrived in Turkey to meet with Prime Minister Abdullah Gul and Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal. Speaking to reporters afterwards, de Soto said that their meetings had been very fruitful. He said that the prospect of reaching an agreement on the United Nations Cyprus plan depended on both the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Greek Cyprus. “Both sides should be politically eager to reach an agreement,” stated de Soto. “It’s important to reach an agreement before the end of next month [the Feb. 28 deadline], so the two sides should act quickly.” He added that changes to the UN Cyprus plan were possible if the TRNC, Greek Cyprus, Turkey and Greece all wanted this. /Turkiye/
US TREASURY UNDERSECRETARY: “TURKEY’S COMMITMENT TO ITS ECONOMIC PROGRAM IS CLEAR”
In a sign of the US government’s confidence in Turkey’s economic performance, a US Treasury official yesterday said he trusted the Turkish administration’s resolve to continue carrying out its economic program. “We have close contacts with Turkish economic officials,” said US Treasury Undersecretary John Taylor. “The US has no doubts concerning the Turkish government’s commitment to its IMF-backed economic recovery program. We believe that the program will be implemented in full, without any hitches.” /Sabah/
IFC CHAIRMAN DALLARA: “TURKEY’S ECONOMIC REFORMS ARE HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION”
The head of the World Bank’s private sector development arm, the International Financial Corporation, yesterday praised the reform process of Turkey’s economy, saying this transitional period was leading to better days ahead. “In my view, Turkey’s new government will be able to develop a successful economy policy,” said Charles Dallara, chairman of the IFC. “Our organization will continue supporting the Turkish government. I personally have full confidence in its leadership.” /Sabah/
BORDER CAMPS REPORTEDLY PLANNED TO AVERT WAR REFUGEE CRISIS
In preparation for a possible wave of refugees during a war in Iraq, Turkey has laid plans for 18 refugee camps on both sides of its border with northern Iraq, reports said yesterday. The Turkish government is hoping to stem an uncontrolled tide of Iraqi refugees into its territory during such a war. /Hurriyet/
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION