ANKARA - Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Saturday that the decision of the parliament regarding the motion was obvious and stated, ''everybody should respect the decision of the parliament.''
Speaking to reporters, Gul said that they, as the government, would take every kind of measures and stated that the government would do what was necessary.
Stating that Turkey was the only democratic country in the region, Gul said that everything was happening in a democratic process and in front of public opinion.
Gul said that the issue was discussed both at the meeting of the Council of Ministers and the AK Party group and stated, ''the decision of the parliament is obvious. All of us should respect it. It is requirement of the democracy. We, as the government, will take absolutely every kind of measure as soon as possible. We will do what is necessary.''
When asked what would be done from now on, Gul said, ''we have a serious and important issue. There is a serious issue concerning the security and the future of Turkey. It is not an internal political issue. I think that using such issues internal policy is not true for interests of Turkey.''
When asked how many ways the government had, Gul said, ''we will discuss those things. We, as the government, will take every kind of measures as soon as possible. We will do what is necessary. The government is aware of Turkey's passing through a critical period. To this end, all kinds of measures have been thought. We will work today and tomorrow.''
Asked whether a second motion would come to parliament, Gul said that they would discuss the issue.
When asked whether there was contact with the United States, Gul said that Foreign Ministry undersecretary Ziyal informed U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Pearson about the developments.
ARINC: ALL WORLD HAS TO SEE DECISION OF PARLIAMENT
Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc said that the whole world had to see and understand the decision of the parliament and added that everybody should back this decision which was taken about the prime ministry motion.
Upon the questions of reporters, Arinc said, ''quorum required in the Article 96 of the Constitution is absolute majority of deputies which participated in voting. Absolute majority was not reached due to absence of four deputies. There are 264 votes for the motion. The number of votes for approval of the motion was at least 268. Thus, the parliament rejected the motion because the number of votes for approval failed to reach absolute majority. The decision is neither rejection nor approval. Decision could not be given because absolute majority was not reached. It is the decision of the parliament. Whole world has to see and understand the decision of the parliament. Everybody should back this decision about the prime ministry motion.''
ERDOGAN: IT IS A DEMOCRATIC RESULT
Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that it was a democratic result, assessing the result of the voting for the prime ministry motion at the parliament.
Replying to questions of reporters, Erdogan said that a statement regarding the issue would be made after the meeting of AK Party Central Decision and Executive Board on Sunday.
Erdogan said that Prime Minister Abdullah Gul made necessary statement regarding the issue.
When asked whether the result was a surprise or not, Erdogan said, ''what do you want more? It is a democratic result.''
PEARSON IN FOREIGN MINISTRY
U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Robert Pearson will come to Foreign Ministry upon the decision of the parliament regarding sending Turkish soldiers to Northern Iraq and deployment of foreign soldiers in Turkey.
Diplomatic sources said on Saturday that Pearson would come to Foreign Ministry upon the invitation of Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal.
Ziyal will convey officially the decision of the parliament to Pearson at the meeting. Ziyal and Pearson will assess the latest developments regarding the issue.
(EÖ-AÖ) 01.03.2003