ANKARA - Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Thursday that Turkey still held out hopes for a peaceful solution, adding, ''we have not made a commitment to enter a war. Actually, Turkey will not enter a war, and actually, the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) will not enter combat.''
Gul held a press conference on latest economic developments and replied questions of reporters.
When asked whether or not an agreement would be signed with U.S. Deputy Treasury Undersecretary for International Affairs John Taylor who would be in Ankara later in the day, on compensation of Turkey's losses in case of an Iraq war, Gul, ''there are several serious issues on the agenda. Our government faces very important dossiers. I want to once again explain the latest point. Because these are not reflected properly from time to time. We still hold out hopes for peace, we still believe peace can be achieved and we are still expending efforts for peace. The reason we have not combined the two motions (on allowing U.S. forces) is to give a chance for peace.''
''We have not made a commitment to enter a war. Actually, Turkey will not enter a war, and actually, the TSK will not enter combat. We still hold out hopes for peace. And the aim of our action is that peace can be achieved. So we still have things to do for peace. And we prove it today,'' he said.
''The motion to be voted at the parliament today is not about soldiers that will fight. It is not about acceptance of soldiers to Turkey or dispatch of soldiers. Today's motion is about preventing Turkey from facing difficulties if there will be a need for some of our bases and ports in the end. So there is still chance for peace. We still launch initiatives for peace. However, we have to prepare Turkey against the worst scenario, of course,'' he said.
Noting that Turkey would be negatively affected by an Iraq war, Gul said it was their duty to take measures against this.
Recalling that with this respect, John Taylor would be in Ankara soon, Gul said Taylor would meet with Treasury officials and officials at relevant units.
''They will discuss and estimate Turkey's losses due to such an incident and how those losses can be compensated,'' he said.
When recalled of the United States' plan to call back its citizens in Incirlik and when asked whether or not they were planning to do the same thing for Turkish citizens living in border region, Gul stressed that Turkey had not entered a war and it would not enter a war.
GUL: WE WILL MAINTAIN OUR EFFORTS TILL THE END TO SETTLE PEACE IN THE REGION
Gul said, ''we will maintain our efforts till the end to contribute to peace and settle peace in the region. Our Arab neighbors have been cooperating with us.''
When asked, ''do you still have hope following your secret meeting with Iraqi Vice President Taha Yasin Ramadan? Did you send a message to Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein? Will you plan to hold any new contacts?'' Prime Minister Gul said, ''we will maintain our efforts till the end to contribute to peace and settle peace in the region. Our Arab neighbors have been cooperating with us. Meeting of the Arab League will be held in February 15. We will attend the meeting as observer. Meanwhile, I want to stress that we preferred to hold a secret meeting to come to a conclusion and to serve peace.''
When asked, ''did yesterday's statements of U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell about the Iraq issue satisfy you?'' Prime Minister Gul told reporters, ''the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been assessing the statements. We have not been convinced on anything. Meanwhile, we have not taken a decision yet. Turkey has still been expending efforts for a peaceful solution.''
When asked, ''does Iraq attribute importance to peace? What is the result of your meeting with Ramadan?'' Prime Minister Gul said, ''we preferred the meeting to be closed to the press.''
GUL: THERE IS NOT ANY TENSION WITH THE IMF
When asked whether or not he wanted to give any message as some people had started to withdraw their money from the markets and markets did not feel comfortable because talks with the IMF were delayed, Gul said he could hardly believe how those rumors started.
Noting that there was not any tension between Turkey and the IMF, Gul said, ''their statements are clear. It is impossible to understand how people can think about such negative issues although everything is obvious and clear.''
When asked whether or not the budget included flexibility against any Iraq war, Gul said the important thing was the system. Noting that the government had established the system in a quite clear way, Gul said that the system included factors that could function against any negative development.
Replying a question about date of meeting with the IMF, Gul said that they would announce the date later.
Stressing that mutual talks with the IMF were actually under way, Gul said that those talks would continue also during the religious holiday Feast of Sacrifice.
When asked what they had done for safety of Turkish citizens living in border region while the United States had called its citizens in Incirlik back, Gul said, ''Turkey will not enter a war. We have said that Turkey would not enter a war. However, as a neighboring country, Turkey should take several measures. We will expend efforts for peace till the very last minute. As Turkey, we have to think of worst scenarios, of course. You have to take measures against these. At this point, Turkey is the priority of all of us.''