ANKARA - Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Tuesday that Iraqi leadership has the essential responsibility in solution of Iraq problem, stating that this problem would be solved through Iraq's abiding by the U.N. resolutions without losing time.
Gul said Turkey and the United States very sincerely understood concerns of each other and the situation each other is in.
Gul held a news conference at Ankara's Esenboga Airport prior to his departure for Qatar's capital city Doha where Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) will hold a meeting to discuss Iraq problem.
Stating that Qatar was the term president of OIC for three years, Gul said Qatari Emirate called for an extraordinary summit to evaluate the developments regarded with Iraqi problem upon the request of some member countries. Gul said the meeting, which will start on Wednesday, would last for one day, and that he would return to Turkey on Wednesday evening.
Gul said under OIC traditions, situation about Palestinian issue would be reviewed as well as the main agenda article, and that he planned to hold talks with some of the leaders of member countries on regional and bilateral issues.
Gul said, ''all the activities have a specific important at this critical period. The U.N. Security Council continue busy consultations about Iraq issue. I hope that OIC summit will contribute to the efforts for the peaceful solution of Iraqi problem, and we go to OIC summit with those feelings.''
Responding to the questions of reporters whether or not a new action plan would be prepared regarded with the motion, Gul said all the processes were open as Turkey was a democratic country.
Gul said, ''the motion proposed by the government has not been accepted as there was not necessary majority in the Parliament. Process after this happens in front of everybody. As the ruling party, we have assessed the situation. We also assess it as the government. Turkey and the United States are two strategic countries which have mutual understanding. We sincerely understand concerns of each other.''
Gul said the United States administration, in a statement pointed out that they respected the decision of Parliament, stating that, ''we will be in an effort to produce the coming process altogether. Thus, a reciprocal understanding prevails.''
When asked whether or not the U.S. Ambassador had any proposal or warning about the motion, Gul said, ''anything like a warning can not be in question. This will not be in line with diplomatic understanding. Such things don't happen between the countries. Everybody will respect to the decision taken by the Parliament. As the U.S. administration is loyal to democracy, they already stated that they respected it. Yet, of course, we reciprocally discuss what may happen from now on.''
Replying another question, Gul said that they were in contact with the United States, adding, ''we are two ally countries. Our relations are actually continuing in every field. So any situation like a breakdown in relations or end of everything is out of question. Besides, the parliament's decision is very clear.''
Responding a question which said, ''Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis said Turkey could not get the response it was expecting. What was that response?'' Gul said, ''I don't know. Maybe you misunderstood him. Any response which was expected by the Foreign Minister is out of question. However, the U.S. Ambassador wanted to visit me and I accepted his request and we had a meeting, and we evaluated the situation. There is nothing except this.''
Replying another question which said, ''there is an expectation that the motion was left to the new government to be formed after by-election on March 9. What do you think about this?'' Gul said, ''as the party and the government, we said that we were evaluating it.''
(AY-MS-AÖ) 04.03.2003