ISTANBUL - State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin said on Tuesday that nobody could give instructions and directives to Turkey, which was a country having an influence in its region and in the world.
Replying to questions of reporters, Sahin said that Turkey was the country which was affected the most by the Gulf crisis.
Sahin noted, ''undoubtedly, we have to take some measures by taking lessons from our past experiences. We have some expectations from the United States. We have notified the United States about these expectations. When response comes, we will take onto agenda the motion again.''
Asked if the expectations were mainly related with defense or economy, Sahin said, ''we have both expectations.''
When asked if the United States had an imposition on a date, Sahin said, ''we are an independent country. Turkish Republic is a country which has an influence in its region and in the world and the words of which are listened in the world. Nobody can give instructions or directives to us. We are a democratic country. There is a parliament in Turkey chosen by the nation. There is a government that is formed from this parliament. Therefore, parliament represents the will of the nation and makes decisions. Therefore, we don't need to take neither instructions nor directives and orders from anybody.''
Asked if there was an expectation, Sahin said, ''of course. We have some expectations to protect the interests of our country. We think that nobody should expect us to take steps unless our expectations are not met.''
Replying another question, Sahin said that ''he would not make any statement on the date and process of a motion since it caused speculations.''
When asked if they had exchanged views with European Union (EU) countries, Sahin said that Prime Minister Abdullah Gul was in Brussels and held contacts there.
Sahin stressed that Turkey wanted the issue to be solved peacefully from the outset and continued to do so when replying to a question if Turkey would continue its insistence on peace till the very end.
''The opposite cannot be expected because it is the most humane approach to solve issues through peaceful means,'' Sahin said.
Sahin noted that they believed that the only country which was taking serious steps regarding that issue was Turkey.
''But, if some hot clashes occur due to developments outside us, Turkish government and state will take necessary measures. All the issues you are asking about are related with these measures.''
Asked to give some clues about measures, Sahin said, ''I cannot make further comment at the moment.''
(BRC-AÖ) 18.02.2003