Sezer Meets Members Of U.S. House Of Representatives

ANKARA - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer underlined on Friday that international legitimacy condition should be fulfilled to make Parliament take a decision regarded with deployment of foreign armed forces to the country. He said the Constitution determined the Parliament as the only authorized organ in this respect.
Presidential Press Center issued a statement and said Sezer received the U.S. House of Representatives delegation led by Joel Hefley.
The statement said President Sezer stressed the importance of strategic partnership between Turkey and the United States. Sezer said Turkey was willing to further deepen relations with the United States in regional issues as well as bilateral issues in the basis of this partnership.
Pointing out the importance of continuation of contacts and relations between the legislation organs of the two countries, Sezer said they expected the U.S. House of Representatives to contribute improvement of relations and help overcoming of some problems which obstruct further improvement of bilateral relations.
Sezer said Turkey attributed a special importance to the enforcement of the draft pertaining to establishment of Qualified Industry Zones in Turkey and facilitating technology transfer by increasing cooperation in defense industry.
Sezer also briefed about Turkey's attitude regarded with Iraq.
Stating that Turkey favored finding a solution without a military action, Sezer said Turkey expended the best support to the ally United States as a requirement of the strategic partnership, and noted that efforts on details of the arrangement pertaining to cooperation in this respect continue.
Sezer said the U.S. officials should take into consideration the loss which the Turkish economy would suffer in case of a possible operation against Iraq. Sezer underlined that international legitimacy condition should be fulfilled for the Parliament to take a decision about deployment of foreign soldiers as the Constitution assigned the Parliament as the only authorized organ in this respect.
Meanwhile, members of the U.S. House of Representatives stressed their loyalty to the Turkish-U.S. friendship.
The members stated that the United States did not want war in Iraq, but that Iraq should be purified from mass destruction weapons without losing time.
(AY-AÖ) 21.02.2003