ANKARA - Presidential Foreign Affairs Chief Adviser Tacan Ildem said on Thursday that talks with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell were extremely beneficial.
Ildem held a news briefing in Cankaya Palace.
Ildem said talks with Powell were extremely beneficial and took place in mutual understanding.
Ildem said, ''we are at a point where we look at future with more confidence. The visit, which took place on Wednesday, was appropriate to its target, and reached its goals.''
Pointing out that Iraq issue was discussed in detail during the talks, Ildem said Turkey wished action against Iraq to end soon.
Ildem underlined the importance of Iraq's territorial integrity for Turkey, and noted that, ''we are in full consensus of opinion with the United States in this respect.''
Ildem stated that there was a partnership relation between Turkey and the United States serving to mutual benefits, and proved itself. Ildem said this relationship was a subject to a close cooperation in the past 50 years both in bilateral and in multilateral level.
Recalling that they described this relationship as ''strategical partnership'' in the recent period, Ildem said maintenance of the ''strategical partnership'' was very important both for Turkey and the United States.
Ildem said, ''there may be misunderstandings among the partners from time to time. However, the important thing is that both sides should look for overcoming those problems being aware of this partnership. It will be right to consider Powell's visit to Turkey as something toward this goal. Yesterday's talks took place within mutual understanding.''
Ildem said, ''during the meeting, both President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Powell found the opportunity to disclose their will that strategical partnership between Turkey and the United States would continue in every field in a strong way. We are at a point when we look at future in confidence.''
Ildem said developments in Iraq were evaluated in details. He said Turkey opened its airspace to its friend and ally United States with the permission given by Parliament, and recalled that planes of the United States and Britain made use of this permission. Ildem said this constituted a very important contribution.
Ildem said, ''we wish operation in Iraq to end soon without causing more loss of lives.''
Pointing out the importance of Iraq's territorial integrity for Turkey, Ildem said, ''we are in full consensus of opinion with the United States in this respect. Mr. Powell with his statements revealed that they were aware of our concerns pertaining to Northern Iraq. They have expressed their commitments to approach our concerns in the most sensitive way. This was a very beneficial visit to discuss all those issues, and to improve our strategical partnership relation.''
Responding another question, Ildem said the sorrow which Turkey felt over killing of civilians during the military action in Iraq was expressed during Sezer's meeting with Powell. ''In fact, Mr. Powell also expressed the sorrow they felt over this.''
When recalled the allegations that some equipment passing from Turkey were used in war within the scope of civilian aid, Ildem reminded the statement of General Staff in this respect.
Ildem said, ''those are not combatant vehicles. With this respect, passage of any combatant vehicle or equipment that would be used in war was out of question.''
A journalist said, ''you said there may be misunderstandings in relations with the United States. What were them, and to what extend they could be overcome?''
Ildem said, ''as Mr. Powell stated yesterday, rejection of the second motion from the Parliament created disappointment for them. This issue was brought onto the agenda in the American media from time to time. I think there may be misunderstandings stemming from discussion of this issue. There were perceptions that Turkey made a kind of money bargaining. In fact, as you know, Turkey was in the position of a country which would be effected in political, economic and military means from eruption of war. Talks have been carried out with the United States to prevent unwanted developments in those three areas. Focusing on only one area is a misunderstanding. The United States is aware of the attitude which Turkey is in. There is democracy in Turkey. We have come to this point by passing through a democratic process. The United States respects this democratic structure of Turkey which may constitute a model in the future for Iraq. They may be disappointed by rejection of second motion, but we are two strong allies and friends that may find a way to overcome such kind of disappointments in the basis of mutual understanding and respect. I think this visit took place in line with its targets. The statements made by the United States in this respect confirms this understanding.''
ILDEM: WE EXPECTED GREEK CYPRIOT ADMINISTRATION TO POSITIVELY APPROACH MR. DENKTAS'S PROPOSAL PACKAGE
''We hoped the direct negotiation process which started with the initiative of Mr. Denktas to reach success. Yet this was not possible. There was a time table foreseen by the EU, but we thought that this process could continue within the good-offices mission of U.N. Secretary General. The good-offices mission of U.N. Secretary General is still valid. The suggestions of Mr. Denktas created a framework which would increase the trust between the sides, which would overcome the lack of trust between the two sides, which would keep open the dialogue channels, which would increase the contacts between the two sides in Cyprus. This has never been presented as a proposal that would substitute for the peace plan, but it would help in the formation of creation of a suitable basis and atmosphere that would contribute to comprehensive talks. Turkish Republic assessed the proposals as a good willing and constructive initiative which was presented at the right time. We extended full support to it. We still believe that this proposal is very constructive. We had expected the Greek Cypriot side to positively approach this proposal package... I suppose the Greek Cypriot administration had a great responsibility of approaching positively the proposal package. At the time being, our support to these proposals is full and we will continue to support the productive proposals of Mr. Denktas.''
''The first motion that was adopted by the parliament will terminate on May 6. Does Mr. President consider proper the extension of the motion after May 6? Do we need another motion for humanitarian assistance?'' asked journalists to Ildem who said that the U.S. didn't voice a concrete proposal about wide scale humanitarian aid operations. Ildem said that these issues were taken up with the U.S. side, adding that ''we always regard positively the issue of humanitarian aid. Various programmes of the U.N. are still in force. U.N. is a leading organization in humanitarian issues. There is still much time for the date you mentioned. We'll see the developments.''
''Did Mr. Powell express their concerns about Iran and Syria to Mr. President?'' asked journalists to Ildem who said that ''no, this was not taken up.'' Upon another question, Ildem said that Sezer didn't have any telephone talks recently in respect of relations with neighbouring countries.
Ildem said answering another question that Powell didn't voice any mediation demand during his meeting with President Sezer regarding the issue of saving U.S. soldiers.
Tacan Ildem, who has been appointed as the Turkish Ambassador to the Hague and who will start his term in office in the middle of this month, said farewell to press members.
Sermet Atacanlý will replace him, he said and presented Atacanlý to press members.
(ÖS-AÖ) 03.04.2003