ANKARA - Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal on Thursday described visit of U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell as a ''delayed visit''.
Baykal held a news conference in his party headquarters and made evaluations about action against Iraq and the policy covered by Turkey.
Recalling that decisions taken by the Parliament earlier, Baykal said care should be shown not to turn Turkey a part of the military operation from the land.
Recalling the decisions taken by the Parliament pertaining to the military action against Iraq, Baykal said Turkey accepted to make contribution by opening air corridor to the United States, and that use of land geography was rejected with a Parliamentary decision.
Baykal said decision of the Parliament in not allowing use of land geography was proved to be rightful with the developments, stating that, ''it was seen that the war would not be so easy as it had been planned on table, and that it had a very serious humanitarian cost. It started to be understood that this cost would cause very important political developments.''
Baykal said the care which Turkey showed not to be involved in the action, was proved to be a rightful and constructive decision for the region and the world following the developments experienced so far.
CHP leader Baykal said decision of the Parliament in rejecting use of land geography caused increase in Turkey's strategical value.
Baykal said there was no place for excitement and hurry in foreign policy, noting that the best contribution to Turkey and the region would be given with a patient and calm policy.
Baykal pointed out the importance of being careful against the possibility of spreading of war in the region, and that international institutions should play an influential role in ending the operation soon and in giving direction to the new period.
Recalling that Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul made a statement following the visit of Powell saying that, ''we are a part of the coalition'', and noted that, ''as far as I know, Parliament makes Turkey enter in a war, not the foreign minister.''
Defending that the government did not cover a consistent and clear line on Iraq war, Baykal said, ''however the attitude of the government did not lessen the damages which Turkey will receive from the war, but on the contrary Turkey was dragged into very serious losses because of this war.''
(AY-AÖ) 03.04.2003