Gul: It Was A Visit That Was Paid At Just The Right Time

ANKARA - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Wednesday that U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell's visit to Ankara was very positive, and they were very pleased with Powell's contacts.
Speaking on TV8, Gul said that Powell's visit was important for display of cooperation between Turkey and the United States, adding, ''it would have been better if he had paid this visit earlier but it was a visit which was paid at just the right time. So as Turkey and the government, we were very pleased with this visit. It was a very beneficial visit in terms of consolidation of friendship of two allies and confirmation of their cooperation in the future.''
Gul said that Powell's visit showed that those who thought relations between Turkey and the United States broke off, were mistaken.
Noting that they discussed several issues at the meetings within mutual understanding, Gul said that 'issues of cooperation in Iraq after war, current works and cooperation in humanitarian aid' were reviewed and confirmed, and they reached a compromise.
Recalling that Turkey's concerns about northern Iraq were clear, Gul said, ''both sides saw that there is no need to get agitated unnecessarily. If there is a need, Turkey takes its own decision on it, of course. However, it is quite natural to do it in warfare in coordination with an allied country. We reviewed these.''
Noting that Turkish-U.S. cooperation continued regarding Iraq under the authority given by the parliament, Gul said that other cooperation was made with the government's initiative.
Stressing that the United States knew well about Turkey's concerns, Gul said, ''we cannot give terrorist PKK organization opportunity of taking shelter in northern Iraq by making use of a vacuum.''
Gul said, ''we cannot allow any fait accompli in Mosul and Kirkuk.''
Noting that Kurdish elements in northern Iraq should be considered enemies, Gul said Turkey had guarded them in last ten years, adding, ''we think it very wrong to create an environment as if there were an enmity transferred from generation to generation. Also they should be aware of this. We are the ones who will live in the region forever. Turkey is the most powerful country in this region.''
Recalling that turkey was the only democratic country in the region, Gul said, ''Turkey can be a very good model to the new era in Iraq after war.''
Gul said that Turkey had the potential of undertaking a role in rebuilding of Iraq.
Noting that Turkey was ready for humanitarian aid to Iraq, Gul said that Turkish Red Crescent was carrying out a work and making necessary preparations for extending every possible aid to Iraqi people. Stating that the United States did not have any intention about Syria or Iran, Gul said that decision on place of establishment of a coordination center among Turkey, the United States, Kurdish groups and Turkmens had not been taken yet but it might be opened in another place except from Silopi or Diyarbakir.
(MS) 03.04.2003