ANKARA - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday after the Parliamentary General Assembly approved on Thursday the prime ministry motion on sending Turkish troops abroad and opening Turkish airspace to foreign armed forces' planes, ''we expected this result.''
Responding questions of journalists, Erdogan said, ''let's hope for the best. We expected this result.''
ERDOGAN: THE DECISION OF PARLIAMENT IS A REQUISITE OF OUR RELATIONS WITH UNITED STATES AS WELL AS A REQUIREMENT OF PROTECTION OF SECURITY AT BORDERS BY TSK, THE GUARANTEE OF PEACE IN EVERY GROUND AND AT ANY TIME
War started just beside Turkey's borders despite all sincere and strong peace initiatives of Turkey, Erdogan said.
Erdogan noted, ''Turkey did not want war, but, unfortunately, it was not possible for it to prevent this war. Therefore, the government decided to take necessary measures as soon as possible and as efficient as possible for Turkey's security. Our government submitted the motion covering the measures to be taken for Turkey's security and the parliament adopted this motion.''
''The decision of the parliament is a requisite of our relations with the United States as well as a requirement of protection of our borders by Turkish Armed Forces, the guarantee of peace in every ground and at any time. I would like to clearly tell my nation that they should feel themselves safe and should not have any concerns. Our government is informed about all internal and external agendas,'' Erdogan noted.
Erdogan said, ''our government is capable of taking every measure. All institutions are taking decisions with a full compromise and in national unity and solidarity in order to keep Turkey tranquil.''
Asked if the United States contacted with the government for the immediate implementation of the motion, Erdogan said, ''there may be some contacts with the Foreign Ministry officials. But, the motion has just been passed from the parliament. We will discuss when such a demand comes. The limits are certain. We can give permission within the terms of a memorandum of understanding.''
Replying to a question when Turkish soldiers would go to the region, Erdogan said, ''as I have stated, there is of course a road map. As I have stated, this road map has started to operate together with this permission.''
(UK-AÖ-BRC) 20.03.2003