WASHINGTON D.C. - Turkish Ambassador to the United States Faruk Logoglu said that Turkish-U.S. relations passed through a difficult period and added that he believed that Turkey and the United States would leave behind this period and would continue the significant partnership.
Logoglu attended a program on CNN TV channel and replied to questions on Saturday.
When asked whether or not Turkey had concerns over Turkish-U.S. relations after Turkey did not permit U.S. soldiers' being deployed in Turkish territories, Logoglu said, ''we have concerns over this issue. We have passed some difficult periods and moments. But, we are active partners in fact. Turkey allowed the United States to fly through Turkey. Besides we are a member of the coalition. I am hopeful that we will leave behind those things and we will do what is necessary for continuation of this significant partnership.''
Upon questions on Turkish military presence in northern Iraq, Logoglu recalled that Turkey denied news stories which said that Turkish soldiers entered northern Iraq and said that the truth was that Turkish soldiers arrayed in row along the Iraqi border.
Stating that Turkey had a military presence in northern Iraq against terrorism within the scope of the war, he said that those issues were also being discussed with the U.S. officials.
Noting that Turkey wanted to have a military presence in northern Iraq to prevent humanitarian crisis and solve refugee crisis within Iraq, in line with its experiences during the Gulf Crisis, Logoglu said that there was not any flow of refugees yet, but there was a movement from inner Iraq towards northern Iraq.
When asked whether U.S. forces hit targets in Iraq by using Turkish airspace, Logoglu said that he could not confirm it and recalled that there was the convenient infrastructure for transit passage of planes.
Asked his view on whether aid package for Turkey was on the table or not, he said that it was understood that package was no longer on the table and added that ''but Turkey appreciated the United States' readiness to extend support to Turkish economy by IMF and World Bank.''
Logoglu added that he believed that the United States could do further for Turkey at the bilateral level.
(EÖ-ÖS) 23.03.2003