ANKARA - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Tuesday that he believed U.S. State Secretary Colin Powell's visit would be very beneficial.
Istanbul Chamber of Industry (ISO) Executive Board Chairman Tanil Kucuk and members of the Executive Board visited Gul.
When a reporter said that it was discussed that the meeting with Powell ''would not totally focus on economy'' and asked about his views, Gul said, ''of course, Powell is not the Secretary of the Treasury. But, multi-lateral issues can be discussed. There is not any preliminary information. It is a very normal visit. Turkey is a country neighbor to Iraq. Unfortunately, some circles can't understand Turkey's importance. Turkey's importance is known better by the foreign world. Therefore, there can't be anything more normal than this visit. We are looking forward to seeing him. Naturally, political and economic issues and current conditions will be reviewed. I believe that it will be a very beneficial visit.''
Asked if the mentioned visit ''was a late visit'', Gul said that this was discussed by the U.S. public opinion, but that he met with Powell from time to time like in Davos.
Gul stated that he also spoke to Powell by phone.
Turkey was experiencing one of the most important eras in its history since the World War II, Gul pointed out.
Gul said that the foreign conjuncture really forced Turkey but that this stemmed from reasons out of Turkey's control.
''We wish losses and damages to decrease. Turkish economy is being affected from this,'' Gul said.
Gul noted that criticisms about the government were sometimes very unfair.
Gul said that ''because two years ago there was neither war in Turkey nor the external conjuncture was against Turkey. People lost their wealth in one day. Interest rates increased significantly, foreign exchange and the basic economic indicators were in a mess. Turkey had the most serious crisis in its history. It faced a shrink in economy.'' Gul said that everything was under control as much as possible today.
Gul stressed that nobody should treat Turkey unfairly, adding that there was democracy in Turkey and that the parliament did its mission.
Noting that the alliance relations of Turkey with the U.S. were very important, Gul said that the government attributed great importance to these relations. ''The relations with the U.S. will continue and further strengthen because Turkey supports democracy, human rights and free market,'' he said.
(BRC-ÖS-AÖ) 01.04.2003