WASHINGTON D.C. - Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis said on Friday, ''approval of the motion about deployment of U.S. soldiers in Turkey is more important than date of the motion.''
Following his meeting with U.S. President George W. Bush, Yakis held a press conference together with State Minister Ali Babacan for Treasury at the Turkish Embassy in Washington D.C.
When asked, ''U.S. officials insist on submission of the motion about deployment of U.S. soldiers in Turkey to the parliament on February 18. What do you say?'' Yakis told reporters, ''U.S. officials made their preparations, believing that the Turkish parliament would approve the motion on February 18. According to our point of view, approval of the motion about deployment of U.S. soldiers in Turkey is more important than date of the motion. If our deputies do not support the motion, we have to explain importance of the motion to them.''
Recalling that 94 percent of Turkish public opinion was opposed to a possible war in Iraq, Yakis said, ''we will inform deputies on our negotiations with U.S. officials following the religious holiday. We want the motion to be approved by the parliament. Our government does not try to make approval of the motion a bargaining issue.''
When asked, ''what will happen if Turkey does not allow deployment of U.S. soldiers?'' Yakis said, ''we do not expect the United States to give up a possible military operation against Iraq because of Turkey's not allowing U.S. soldiers to enter Iraq via its territories. They will launch the operation with or without Turkey.''
Responding another question, Yakis told reporters, ''U.S. officials got the impression that Prime Minister Gul has pledged to submit the motion to the parliament on February 18. However, Prime Minister Gul did not make such a commitment.''
''We want the motion to be approved by the parliament as soon as possible. However, 94 percent of Turkish public opinion is against a possible war in Iraq. Our deputies have been under pressure of their voters. We should inform the deputies. During a soccer match between Turkey and Ukraine in Izmir, Prime Minister Gul faced protests for the first time,'' he said.
Yakis said that he had held contacts with President Bush's National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice and U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Richard Myers before his meeting with President Bush.
''General Myers highlighted importance of the date of February 18 to them,'' he said.
Yakis said that number of soldiers was not discussed during his meeting with General Myers.
Replying another question, Yakis told reporters that he did not bring any letter from Turkey to the U.S. administration.
''An important progress has been achieved in military, political and economic consultations between Turkey and the United States. We will assess results of our visit when we return to Ankara. One of prior targets of Turkey is disarmament of Iraq and Iraq's abiding by resolutions of the United Nations,'' he added.
Babacan said, ''several amounts were mentioned in the press. However, we could not come to a conclusion yet. Negotiations have still been continuing. Turkey suffered a serious loss during the Gulf War. One of reasons for this loss was that necessary measures were not taken in time.''
''I have been holding detailed contacts with U.S. officials for two months about impacts of a possible military operation against Iraq on Turkish economy. Four separate economic perspectives were taken up during the contacts. These are impacts of gross national product, budgetary balances, current balances and borrowing dynamics,'' he said.
Babacan told reporters, ''there are many unknown factors such as duration of a possible operation and its impacts on the region. Therefore, it is quite difficult to presume amounts for the time being. We want to take all necessary measures against the worst scenarios.''
When a journalist said that U.S. Congress' approval was required for an aid package to Turkey, Babacan said, ''the United States considers it a national security matter. U.S. officials have assured us to this end. They told us that requests of the U.S. President are approved generally by the Congress in case of a national security matter. However, no one can give guarantee about results of a vote.''
Stressing that political, military and economic negotiations had been continuing, Babacan said, ''as soon as we return to Turkey, we will inform the members of parliament on our contacts. It is a historical decision. We have been experiencing a historical period. We want written commitments on almost everything. As for the support package to Turkey, donations, loans with reasonable conditions and guarantees are in question.''
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis said, ''Turkey attributes great importance to international legitimacy in accordance with Article 92 of its Constitution.''
Noting that President Bush supported approval of United Nations Security Council resolution, Yakis said, ''the United States will prefer to launch an operation on the basis of a resolution of the United Nations. If the United Nations does not take another decision, the United Nations thinks that the resolution no: 1441 includes a legitimate ground to take action.''
''We think that Iraq's territorial integrity and political structure should not be changed. Balances can change in case of an authority vacuum. Turkey and the United States have been in compromise on the issue,'' he told reporters.
Referring to the Cyprus question, Yakis said, ''a change in the plan, which was presented to the sides in Cyprus by United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, and preparation of a third plan are possible. We have exchanged views with U.S. authorities on the issue.''