Gul: We Don't Have Any Intention In Northern Iraq But The Region Should Not Be A Nest Of Terrorism

BRUSSELS - Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said on Friday that, ''we don't have an eye on Northern Iraq, but the region should not be a nest of terrorism.''
Gul held a news conference in Brussels before leaving for Turkey.
Pointing out that the European Union (EU) summit coincided with a critical period, Gul said he had meetings with many heads of government and state and foreign ministers. Gul said, ''they want to know how Turkey, which has intense relations and experiences with Iraq, will act, and they want to benefit from our experiences.''
Gul said everybody wanted the war to end in the shortest time, and wished the loses to be less.
Gul said, ''they know the issue of motion, and previous developments in this respect. As they saw that Turkey acted within a democratic process, this was a period when realities of democracy were proved. Iraq's territorial integrity is very important. I conveyed them that Turkey respected to Iraq's territorial integrity, and that we do not have an eye on Iraqi territories, and that all sources of Iraq belonged to Iraqi people. I told them that we had to take some measures within the scope of our experiences in 1991. I stated that refugee inflow had brought a very big burden on us 10 years ago, and that there had been preparations not to experience similar problems and to stop refugee inflow in northern Iraq.''
Gul said, ''I told them that our sensitivity was that the region should not be a nest of terrorism by making use of the vacuum again, and that everybody should show understanding to this. I expressed them that we don't have any intention beyond this. I explained that those in Northern Iraq were not foreigners to us, and that they still have passports we have given to them. I said Turkey supported them in economic means.''
GUL: WE ARE IN COALITION AND COOPERATION WITH THE UNITED STATES
Pointing out that ''a dynamic process'' was experienced between Turkey and the United States, Gul said, ''we are in coalition with the United States. We don't have any opposition. The motion which the Parliament passed met the recent demands of the United States from us. This is very important.''
Gul said, 'we attribute importance to relations between Turkey and the United States. We don't want those relations to be damaged. We will never allow this. We want those relations to be further enlivened.''
Gul said, ''Turkey passed through a democratic process, and those were the decisions taken by the Parliament. We should respect them. All the difficulties will be overcome.''
Responding to a question about the recent situation of the contacts between Ankara and Washington, Gul said, ''talks are underway how those motions will be operational. This should take place rapidly. It is natural that there will be rules. Prime Ministry and Foreign Ministry work on the details with the participation of Turkish Armed Forces.''
Gul said, ''the United States is our ally. We had many cooperation. We had meetings. It would be unjust to see Turkey outside the incidents.''
He said, ''let us not disregard Turkey's contributions. We tried very much to prevent war. It had been up to Saddam Hussein to prevent war. We should be realistic. We are a neighboring country, we have difficulties. There are the views of people on the other side. We are a democratic country. All those should be carried out together.''
GUL: CONTRIBUTION OF TURKISH ARMED FORCES TO DEMOCRACY SHOULD BE CONSIDERED
Responding to a question asking about the view of the European Union (EU) about Turkish Armed Forces, Gul said, ''the process we have experienced regarded with Iraq showed that democratic atmosphere in Turkey is bettered. Turkey has reached to the EU criteria. All of us should see the contribution of the Turkish Armed Forces on development of this democratic atmosphere. I believe that those will be appreciated.''
When asked about the demand of the United States for deportation of some Iraqi diplomats in Turkey, Gul said, ''there are some problems. Turkey is an independent country. Turkey itself takes such kind of decisions within diplomatic principles. Our intelligence and security organizations are on the alert. We will never allow illegal activities. Everybody, who are in Turkey, should abide by Turkey's rules. Iraqi diplomats should also abide by rules of Turkey. Foreign ministry and related institutions evaluate such kind of things, and take right decisions independently.''
Gul also responded to the questions on Cyprus.
Gul said, ''both sides had oppositions to the Annan plan, an outcome could not be reached, but the doors are not closed totally. We continue to work. I talked about this issue with the Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou. I said we should work together. There will be a meeting in the level of undersecretary. Talks will be underway how steps can be taken regarded with solution of Cyprus question.''
Gul said, ''policy of our government is toward finding solution. Doors have not been closed. I have told this to the heads of government and state, and this was welcomed.''
Gul said, ''concrete steps will be taken in the coming period on Cyprus issue. Steps should be taken mutually. We should not only accuse ourselves. There were also oppositions from the Greek Cypriot side to Annan plan.''
Noting that there should not be a direct and official connection between Cyprus and Turkey's membership to EU, and that this was not a pre-condition, Gul said, ''however, influence of this issue on the political issues is obvious. We will exert efforts for the solution of this problem. Intention is important. The EU also relies on the sincere intentions of our government. EU should act objectively. There should be reciprocal confidence. We see the problems and difficulties and we believe that we will overcome them.''
GUL: INTENTION IN EU COUNTRIES PERTAINING TO ECONOMIC SUPPORT TO TURKEY IS SERIOUS
Gul said, ''I have conveyed them that we got rid of the crisis, and that we very strictly cover economic program in cooperation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. I said we will sign the letter of intent with the IMF within two weeks, and that 2003 budget was prepared in discipline. I said reforms were underway to recover economy, and that economic program should be supported as there would be difficulties brought by war. All they said that efforts of Turkey pertaining to economic program was covered and that they would support it.''
Gul said, ''all we did and the measures we have taken aim at recovering economy. Measures are in question which limit extravagancies. Any foreign support will not be beneficial before those measures. Then the borrowing will increase.''
Gul gave the message that the issue of aid which will either be taken or not from the United States should not be exaggerated, stating that, ''if we link Turkish economy to four billion U.S. dollars that will be taken from the United States, this will be injustice to Turkey.''
Pointing out that Turkey's will to access the EU was full, noting that everybody appreciated the efforts. Gul said there is ''understanding, sympathy, and positive approach toward Turkey.''
(AY-AÖ) 21.03.2003