ANKARA - The U.S. side didn't ask for any demand from Turkey during the meeting of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell.
The two leaders took up bilateral relations on the basis of strategic partnership and the developments regarding the military operation in Iraq.
Powell said that they would be in close cooperation with Turkey as being two allies, regarding the reconstruction of Iraq after the operation, stressing that Turkey was the only democratic country among its neighbours.
Powell stated that the U.S. would be in important cooperation with Turkey during the reconstruction of Iraq, adding that Turkey would play important role in humanitarian aid and political reconstruction in this framework.
Noting that the military operation against Iraq continued successfully, Powell said that he could not tell when the operation would end, but he could tell that it would end successfully.
Powell said in his meeting with Erdogan that the Turkish-U.S. friendship would further develop. Diplomatic sources said that the visit of Powell to Turkey aimed to overcome the image of existing problems between the two countries.
Thanking for Turkey's assistance in respect of food, supply and humanitarian aid, Powell said that Turkey's giving the permission of overflight was a ''valuable'' support for the U.S.
The two officials didn't take up economic aid and economy during the meeting.
Prime Minister Erdogan in his part conveyed Turkey's concerns in northern Iraq, and stated that Turkish soldiers may enter in the region not for occupation, but for humanitarian aid and for security.
Erdogan said in case obligation of entrance of Turkish soldiers to the region appears for humanitarian aid and for security, this would be made in coordination with the United States.
Powell said they welcomed this understanding, and thanked for this approach.
Erdogan also conveyed concerns of Turkey regarded with entrance of some elements to Mosul and Kirkuk apart from control of coalition forces and their activities with the understanding of getting loot.
Powell said they were aware of Turkey's sensitivities and gave assurances that no such thing would happen. Powell noted that they would be in close cooperation with Turkey in this respect.
Turkish side wanted written assurances on all those issues, discussed during the talks.
Cyprus was another issue that was brought onto the agenda during Erdogan-Powell meeting.
Powell defended that the plan presented by the U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan on the issue was ''a missed opportunity''.
Erdogan said they were resolved to exert efforts for a lasting solution, and that deputy prime minister and foreign minister Abdullah Gul would go to TRNC and get some initiatives there.
The issue of a new motion was not brought onto the agenda during the talks.
IRAQ AND CYPRUS ISSUES BROUGHT ONTO AGENDA DURING MEETING BETWEEN ERDOGAN AND POWELL
Powell told Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan that the aid of 1 billion U.S. dollars, which was planned to be given to Turkey by the United States, was not provided for any expectations, but to meet damages of Turkey due to the war in Iraq.
Sources said that the Iraq and Cyprus issues were brought onto agenda during the meeting between Prime Minister Erdogan and U.S. Secretary of State Powell.
Noting that Turkey was the only democratic country in the region, Powell said that Turkey could constitute a model for rebuilding of Iraq.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Erdogan stressed that the war should come to an end as soon as possible.
''We do not want children to die. We do not want Iraqi people to shed tears. We do not want bloodshed in our region,'' he emphasized.
Powell said that he shared the same opinion with Erdogan.
Describing Turkey as a friendly and allied country, Powell said that they attributed great importance to continuation of relations between Turkey and the United States.
Powell conveyed best wishes of U.S. President George W. Bush.
Erdogan told Powell that Turkey was ready to make economic and political contributions to rebuilding of Iraq.
Referring to the Cyprus question, Powell said that they wanted Turkey to maintain its good-will initiatives to find a solution to the Cyprus question.
Erdogan recalled that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul would pay a visit to Cyprus.
''Also, I will hold a meeting with my Greek counterpart during the summit of East European countries to be held in Belgrade,'' he added.
Meanwhile, Powell congratulated Prime Minister Erdogan for his new mission.
(UK-AÖ) 02.04.2003