Gonul: It Was Determined That Opening Airspace Is In Turkey's Interests

ANKARA - National Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul said on Friday that it was determined that opening airspace was in Turkey's interests, and that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan called U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell to inform him of the decision.
Gonul said the Parliament took the decision according to Article 92 of the Constitution, stating that enforcement of the decision was discussed at the meeting. Gonul said, ''in the end, it was determined that opening airspace was in Turkey's interests, and Prime Minister Erdogan called U.S. Secretary of State Powell to inform him of the decision.''
Stating that telephone conversation between Erdogan and Powell took place in a very ''friendly atmosphere'', Gonul said the decision was officially conveyed by the diplomatic and military authorities.
Pointing out that there was another aspect of the decision taken by the Parliament, Gonul said, ''that is an aspect pertaining to existence of Turkey in northern Iraq. This issue was also discussed in details. Implementation of this was also discussed in detail. Enforcement of this will be reached a specific outcome after consultations of our diplomats and general staff.''
When asked whether or not entrance of Turkish Armed Forces to northern Iraq was in question, Gonul said talks were underway with this issue.
When journalists reminded that there were statements from the United States that Turkey's entrance in Northern Iraq was not welcomed, Gonul said, ''this was a statement that was made before Powell's meeting with Prime Minister. Powell himself called the Prime Minister earlier. We have given him information at the end of the meeting.''
When a journalist reiterated whether or not Turkish soldiers will enter Northern Iraq, Gonul said, ''you can reach a conclusion if you carefully listen to the sentence I told just now.''
(AY-AÖ) 21.03.2003