ISTANBUL - Justice Minister and Government Spokesman Cemil Cicek said on Friday that Turkey had determined its policy on Iraq long time ago and stated, ''it is policy of the state. In other words, it is not policy of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party).''
Cicek who attended a meeting which was organized by Istanbul Chamber of Trade and Istanbul Trade University replied to questions of reporters.
When reminded that negotiations with the United States lasted till the morning, Cicek said that the United States has been an ally of Turkey for long time and added that it was a country which Turkey had cooperation in every issue.
Stating that relations between the two countries were carried on with that intention and effort, he said, ''things which happen in Iraq concerns us very closely when compared to the other countries. Every development in Iraq is very important for security of Turkey. We should take our security issues under guarantee. Our expectations at that point are very clear. Those should be met. This is our first demand from the United States.''
Cicek said, ''Turkey determined its policy on Iraq long time ago and made public this policy. It is policy of the state. It is not a policy of the AK Party. The policy which we are implementing on Iraq is a state policy which says we want territorial integrity of Iraq and we don't find appropriate reshaping of that geography. We don't consider it fair.''
Noting that they wanted national components in Iraq to be together in peace, friendship and unity of Iraq, Cicek said that they wanted sources of Iraq to belong to all Iraqi people and if this did not happen, disorder would continue in the region.
Cicek said that Turkey was a country which suffered much from terrorism and paid the price of the lack of authority in the north of Iraq after the 1991 Gulf War with the death of its 30 thousand people.
Turkey did not want to be negatively affected by terrorism which might occur in the region due to lack of authority again, Cicek noted.
Cicek stated that Turkey tried to clearly express its views in every platform and get assurances.
''This is what we want. We are not bargaining for money as reflected. This hurts pride of an independent country. Pride of Turkish nation is much more than billions of U.S. dollars. What we are searching is a political compromise. It is the military compromise which will provide political compromise. There will not be any problems when these concerns are overcome. Because, we believe that all these will be ensured by settlement of peace in the region. There was not any other country than Turkey which exerted efforts for a peaceful solution to Iraq issue,'' Cicek said.
Cicek pointed out that Turkey had ''sine qua non'' conditions for the region and ''factors which were considered as casus belli.''
They wanted those sensitivities to be taken into consideration in international relations, Cicek said.
Cicek drew the attention to relations with the United States and said, ''there aren't any problems in our relations with the United States. Our relations continue.''
New developments were occurring every hour, Cicek pointed out. He said, ''our contacts and relations with the United States continue in every level. We have friendly relations. There is nothing so natural like continuation of negotiations regarding such an important issue. There is not any other country than the United States which has extended this much support to Turkey so far. There is not such regional country.''
When a reporter said that ''the United States made a statement that they would not permit Turkey's entrance in Northern Iraq'' and asked if ''this was the reason of not allowing opening of air space'', Cicek said, ''a contrary confirmation was made in the negotiations I joined. I have also made an announcement. What I announced was the result of the agreement reached. Other statements don't bind me. I announced what the U.S. officials said in the meetings I attended. Any change is out of question in our side.''
(EÖ-BRC-AÖ) 21.03.2003