Ozkok: This Is Not Our War

DIYARBAKIR - General Staff Chief General Hilmi Ozkok said on Wednesday, ''instability is our most important security consideration.''
Speaking at a press conference at the 7th Army Corps Command in southeastern province of Diyarbakir, General Ozkok recalled that there had been elements of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) in northern Iraq.
''An instability, which can stem from any attack on these elements of the TSK, a serious inflow of Iraqi refugees into Turkish borders, and any attack of one of the armed forces in the region on the other or on civilians, is our most important security consideration. If these or similar threats and jeopardies emerge and it is understood that our forces in the region cannot prevent them, the TSK can take a decision to send reinforcement forces to northern Iraq,'' he said.
General Ozkok added, ''since our strategic ally the United States has still been fighting in the region, we stage our actions in coordination with the United States. Also, all necessary initiatives will be launched to prevent any misunderstandings. We will not enter northern Iraq with the aim of fighting or occupation. We do not have any intention to establish a permanent buffer zone.''
General Ozkok noted, ''disarmament of Iraq and elimination of weapons of mass destruction by not destroying Iraq's defense opportunities are of vital importance in regard to stability and security of both the region and the country. However, this is not our war, this is not our mission.''
''Our foreign policy has always defended that the world should be aware of importance of Iraq's territorial integrity. The world should also know that Iraqi oil reserves belong to all Iraqi people. We wish that Iraq will become a distinguished member of the free and democratic world under its national unity, it will purify itself from terrorist elements jeopardizing neighboring countries, and that Iraqi people will reach their deserved level of security and welfare at the end of this military action,'' he emphasized.
''Eurasia will become scene of very important political, economic, social and military developments in the next decades. This geography will be rebuilt. We cannot predict how long this war will last. However, we act in line with the principle that war is full of uncertainties and that we should prepare ourselves against any possibilities. We have made our preparations. I recommend our people not to engulf in any concerns and continue their daily life in peace and security,'' he said.
General Ozkok noted, ''as a sign of our peaceful intentions, I want to tell our people that vacations are not lifted, discharges are not stopped, period of military service is not extended and there is not any plan to propose declaration of mobilization or martial law.''
''Together with commanders of land, air and naval forces and commander of gendarme forces, we visited the region to receive information about the preparations. I want to say with a great pride that the TSK is always ready to fulfill its mission. Our observations in the region have consolidated our confidence in our brothers of arm. Our people do not need to worry. We maintain our mission,'' he stressed.
General Ozkok said, ''our country has been experiencing a period, which is full of various difficulties. Unfortunately, elimination of weapons of mass destruction in neighboring Iraq could not be achieved despite all peaceful efforts of the United Nations, many countries and especially Turkey.''
''As a result, the coalition led by the United States and Britain has intervened in Iraq and started to achieve this by using force. Since the beginning of this process in September of 2002, the TSK has set up close cooperation with all institutions of the state on the security dimension and other military issues. The TSK has also held a series of negotiations with military officials of the allied countries under its authority and responsibilities,'' he emphasized.
General Ozkok told reporters, ''during these negotiations, behaviour of members of foreign armed forces, who will come to our country, principles of cooperation and coordination and other details were determined with the condition of parliament's approval. Results of these negotiations and our assessments were conveyed to the relevant authorities in each level. On the other hand, the TSK has continued to complete preparations against any situation in a warfare, to remove deficiencies and to work on several plans to be put into practice for our national security. The parliament approved the first prime ministry motion in order to carry out preparatory works for acceptance of foreign armed forces as a result of these joint and coordinated works. Under permission of the parliament, the government reached a memorandum of understanding with the United States on rules of these preparatory works and handed over responsibility of putting into practice these preparations to the TSK.''
Recalling that the parliament did not approve the second prime ministry motion on dispatch of Turkish soldiers abroad and deployment of foreign armed forces in Turkey, General Ozkok said, ''despite all peaceful efforts, it was unveiled that a war was inevitable. This time, the United States made an urgent request to use Turkish airspace. This request was submitted to the parliament with a third prime ministry motion. The motion was approved by the parliament on the last day of the two-day ultimatum of the United States to Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein to leave the country. The motion included dispatch of Turkish soldiers abroad whenever is necessary. There is no doubt that these authorities will be used by all relevant institutions of the state in the most appropriate way to provide our national security and to protect regional stability.''
''The war in Iraq has been continuing. The U.S. military planes have begun using Turkish airspace. The TSK has made its plans and preparations against any situation in northern Iraq that can jeopardize our national security. We have been following the developments. Having regard to uncertainties of the war, we will continue supporting the groups in northern Iraq to prevent likely instabilities. We will not be involved in a hot clash except for our right of self defense. We do not have any secret desires. We do not have any hostility against anyone,'' he stressed.
General Ozkok noted, ''despite our transparent attitude and declaration of our policies, some friendly allied countries and some organizations made some statements against Turkey. These suspicious, unfair and offensive statements have affected Turkish people deeply. I want to stress that I hardly understand them.''
''Developments about the military action against Iraq have revealed Turkey's geopolitical and strategic values and importance. Turkey is the important and reliable country of the region. If everything gets out of control one day, I hope that our friends will be left no choice but asking Turkey to do what they are against today,'' he added.
The press conference of General Ozkok was scheduled to be held yesterday. However, it was postponed due to bad weather conditions.
A number of Turkish and foreign journalists attended the press conference.
Land Forces Commander General Tahir Aytac Yalman, Naval Forces Commander Admiral Bulent Alpkaya, Air Forces Commander General Cumhur Asparuk, Gendarme Forces Commander General Sener Eruygur, Second Army Commander General Fevzi Turkeri and 7th Army Corps Commander General Atila Isik were also in attendance at the press conference.

(UK-AY) 26.03.2003