Agar Meets With Iraqi Ambassador To Turkey Saleh

ANKARA - Iraqi Ambassador to Turkey Talip Abid Saleh said on Friday that steps which Iraq was taking was not enough for a peaceful solution and added that a pressure should be put also on the United States.
True Path Party (DYP) leader Mehmet Agar met with Saleh. Agar released a statement after the meeting and said that they exchanged views concerning recent issues with Saleh who paid a courtesy visit.
Noting that they were in favor of protection of peace and stability, Agar said that Iraq's territorial integrity should be protected. He added that they had stated that some activities in Iraq border which were done due to difficulties in Turkey were completely for the defense of Iraq's territorial integrity.
Agar said that the loss of innocent people in Iraq must be prevented and added that diplomacy was for such times. He said that all the demands of arm inspectors should be met and no issue should remain which could be used as excuse.
Saleh said that Iraq did not have mass destruction weapons because it was purified from such weapons since 1991.
Noting that, as they promised Agar, they would not left an issue which would be used as an excuse by the United States, Saleh said that Iraq's cooperation with arm inspectors would continue. He added that they did want Iraq and region to be harmed.
Saleh said ''However, Iraq's steps are not enough for peace. The United States should also be put pressure. Because, U.S. State Secretary Colin Powell said that their aim was not only to destroy mass destruction weapons. In our opinion, their aim is to draw a new map in this region. In spite of this, Iraq will continue its cooperation with arm inspectors. All our efforts will be for peace.''
When a reporter asked Agar his evaluations about statements of Saleh who said that ''Giving support means joining war'', Agar said that both sides should refrain from statements which would harm the existing friendship. He added that Turkey always acted with good will concerning its relations with neighbors. Our every effort was for peace and to protect peace, Agar said.