Ildem: The Government Has Taken Steps In Line With The Frame, Which Was Drawn During Monthly Meeting Of Nsc

ANKARA - Presidential Foreign Affairs Chief Adviser Tacan Ildem said on Thursday, ''the motion of the government about deployment of U.S. technical and military personnel in Turkey for three months for modernization, development and construction of bases and ports conforms to the frame, which was drawn during monthly meeting of the National Security Council (NSC).''
Ildem held a weekly press conference at the Cankaya Presidential Palace.
Responding a question about President Ahmet Necdet Sezer's views about statements of U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell at the United Nations Security Council and about the motion, which was submitted to the parliament by the government, Ildem said, ''recent developments should be taken up as a whole. During last week's meeting of the NSC, developments about the Iraq issue were taken up in detail. The most important thing is the recommendatory decisions taken by the NSC to enable the government to take necessary steps. Mr. Powell informed the members of the United Nations Security Council. He gave information revealing that Iraq had not fulfilled its responsibilities to cooperate with the United Nations to destroy weapons of mass destruction. We still believe that peace should be protected. There are critical days ahead of us. United Nations weapon inspectors, who have been continuing their works in Iraq, will submit their new report to the United Nations Security Council on February 14. Then, the Security Council will make a new assessment. We should be realistic and take into consideration undesirable consequences. The statement, which was released at the end of monthly meeting of the NSC, concentrated on steps to be taken to protect national interests of Turkey.''
''Our government has taken steps in line with the frame, which was drawn during monthly meeting of the NSC. The Parliamentary General Assembly will debate the motion about deployment of U.S. technical and military personnel in Turkey for three months for modernization, development and construction of bases and ports. Therefore, it is necessary to assess all developments in line with this frame,'' he said.
When asked whether or not a second resolution of the United Nations Security Council was required in regard to international consensus, Ildem said, ''the motion to be debated at the parliament, aims at enabling working, which is a part of probability planning.''
Responding another question, Ildem said, ''international consensus means broadness of a coalition in a decision to be taken when a country fails to fulfill resolutions of the United Nations Security Council. The motion to be debated at the parliament later in the day, will pave way to construction works for preparation of bases against an undesirable development.''
''Article 92 of the Constitution seeks international legitimacy. Another important concept is consensus to this end. As it was stressed in statement of the NSC, our prior target is to protect national interests of Turkey. This target is assessed in a way to include Turkish Armed Forces' taking some certain measures. Claims saying that Turkey will be involved in a war against Iraq are totally baseless. If the United States launches a military operation against Iraq, Turkey will take all necessary measures to protect its national interests,'' he said.
Ildem told reporters, ''Turkey will take all measures to prevent flow of refugees into its borders, to send humanitarian aid and to prevent any fait accompli that it has considered red lines so far, not for a concern over war. Our target is not to wage war against any country. We mean to say that Turkey will take all political, military and economic measures to protect its national interests.''
Responding a question about NATO's support to Turkey, Ildem said, ''consultations between Turkey and NATO have still been continuing. Our allies will not refrain from meeting Turkey's requirements like air defense systems and Awacs planes.''
''President Sezer has pioneered preparation of final statement of the NSC to draw a frame required by the government. As Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said before, Turkey has taken significant steps for a peaceful solution to the Iraq issue. Turkey is maybe the only country taking such steps in the region. Turkey has undertaken concrete initiatives. These initiatives have not yielded any results so far. However, we have not given up hopes to find a peaceful solution. President Sezer still thinks that the issue could be resolved without launching a military operation. We hope that Iraqi government will take the necessary steps to destroy weapons of mass destruction,'' he said.
Ildem refrained from responding a question about statements of U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell.
Responding another question, Ildem told reporters, ''military, political and economic consultations between Turkey and the United States have been continuing in line with our strategical partnership. Economic aspect of negotiations are as important as political and military aspects. We hope that we will reach a compromise on a package that will meet possible losses of Turkey in case of an undesirable situation.''
Ildem added, ''President Sezer thinks that a second resolution of the United Nations can be required. Resolution no: 1441 has created a ground for purification of Iraq from weapons of mass destruction. The resolution does not include any rules envisaging an automatic action in case of Iraq's failure to fulfill its commitments. The United Nations Security Council will take a decision on the issue. President Sezer also attributes great importance to consensus. Our parliament will assess all these developments and take a decision.''