Gul: Re-building Process Should Be Formed By Taking Into Consideration Realities Of Iraq

ANKARA - Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said on Sunday that re-building process in Iraq after war should be formed by taking into consideration realities of the country.
Gul responded to the questions of reporters. Gul said Kurdish groups who had entered Mosul and Kirkuk withdrew.
Pointing out that Turkey wanted improvement of democracy in the region so far, and that everybody knew that Iraq was administered undemocratically, and that Turkey in the past had expressed that Iraqi leadership caused some negativities in the region, Gul said, ''our sympathy toward the regime was out of question. We should from now on look at future. Re-building process should be formed by taking into consideration realities of Iraq.''
Gul stated that order should be settled in Iraq soon, noting that there could be possible potential clashes in the region. He said everybody, mainly the United States and regional countries, should exert efforts to prevent the clashes.
''Turkey does its best'', Gul said, noting that Iraq was an independent country and that it would be administered by Iraqi people. Gul stressed that all fundamental elements of Iraq should be represented in the administration.
When Gul was reminded that an agreement would be signed in Athens for accession of Greek Cypriot side to the European Union (EU), Gul said a progress was recorded in line with the program determined in Helsinki summit, and that this was not a new element. He said EU would also accept the solution in case there is a solution on Cyprus.
Responding to a question about Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline project, Gul said Turkey attributed importance to this project, and that there was no step back from the project.
(AY) 13.04.2003