Erdogan: A Document Is Necessary In Interstate Law

ANKARA - Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan said late on Friday, ''Mr. George Bush's word is respected by and valid for the Congress and other institutions in his own country. We can also respect to it. But, a document is necessary in interstate law.''
Erdogan attended a program broadcast on private NTV channel.
Replying a question, Erdogan said that Turkey well-evaluated everything after the September 11th terrorist attacks.
Erdogan noted that the 1991 Gulf War was an incident from which a lesson should be taken and said, ''I believe that the diplomacy carried out by the government during Iraqi crisis is a diplomacy which will be admired by the forthcoming generations.''
Asked if negotiations were almost cut with the United States, Erdogan said that they would not sever relations with their allies.
They would not sever relations with the United States in Iraq issue, Erdogan noted.
Erdogan stated that they would exert every effort in order not to sever relations with the United States and because they still hoped to solve the issue peacefully.
Turkey paid a price during the Gulf War, Erdogan said. Therefore, he noted, the government was assuming the current attitude towards Iraq issue.
Erdogan continued, ''some say that it is a dollar bargaining. But, it is not that simple. If it was only a matter of dollar, it could be solved for 50 times. It is not a problem for the United States to solve dollar bargaining. The United States does not have such a problem. There are many military, political and economic problems. Some call it dollar bargaining. Of course, I will also bargain it when necessary.''
The United States did not keep any of its promises in 1991, Erdogan noted.
Erdogan said, ''this is a position now. These should be turned into written documents in interstate relations. Mr. George Bush's word is respected by and valid for the Congress and other institutions in his own country. We can also respect to it. But, a document is necessary in interstate law. It is not an ordinary thing.''
Asked if Turkey saw a strategic interest with the United States, Erdogan said, ''Turkey will be in a loss even if it enters a war or not. Turkey could not have any interest in this. I will take into consideration what my country will gain from this. We are calculating how we can come out of this issue with the least loss.''
It would be difficult for Turkey to take place in the alliance if it could not get a positive response to its demands from the United States, Erdogan stressed.
Erdogan said, ''Turkey demands that its losses should be met by taking action from some figures. Unfortunately, the United States has not had a positive approach to these demands yet. The issue is not solely an economic bargaining.''
Replying another question, Erdogan said, ''Turkey does not want to overshadow its relations with the United States. It never favors severe relations with the United States. But, as Turkey, we may face the most damage from this issue when compared with other countries. We will face this damage even if we enter a possible war or not. We have to calculate how we can come out of this issue with the least loss.''
Erdogan noted, ''we have put forth some demands and we want positive response to our demands. The other side should met these demands with self-sacrifice. If only Turkey is expected to make self-sacrifice, this is not friendship. We think that we should meet at a common point and then take steps.''
Erdogan said that they wanted solution of Cyprus issue and that if Cyprus issue was not solved, it would be an obstruction before Turkey's European Union (EU) membership.
Turkey did not have any lobby activities in foreign politics as much as he observed during his contacts with the EU, Erdogan noted.
Asked if he would become the prime minister if he ran his candidacy from by-elections to be held in southeastern Siirt province on March 9, Erdogan said that conditions on that day, particularly developments regarding Iraq, would be very important on his decision.
When asked if the AK Party would consider foundation of a Kurdish state in Northern Iraq as a reason for war, Erdogan said that a decision could be made after consultations among the government, party boards, opposition party, army and the President.
Erdogan added, ''I think it will be wrong to say at the moment that this can be considered a reason for war or not.''
When he was reminded about the statement of U.S. State Secretary Colin Powell that ''they were close to an agreement'' and asked if that meant Turkey's demands were met by the United States, Erdogan said that he did not have any information about the developments that occurred on Friday afternoon.
Erdogan said that he learned about that issue from the press and that he could not talk the issue with Prime Minister Abdullah Gul since he was in Istanbul the previous day.
Replying a question, Erdogan said that there was nothing definite about presentation of motion on allowing foreign troops in Turkey and sending Turkish soldiers abroad to parliament on Tuesday.
Asked when concrete results would be taken from negotiations with the United States, Erdogan said that a result would be taken by acceptance of Turkey's demand by the United States.
Erdogan said, ''but, as far as I know, a positive response has not been given by the United States so far. These are not very extreme demands. The demands covered both political and military and economic issues. When positive response is given to these demands, Turkey will fulfil its obligations.''
Replying another question, Erdogan said that he did not have any contact with U.S. officials and the negotiations were carried out by the government.
(BRC- AY) 22.02.2003