ANKARA - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday that no name of association or foundation was mentioned in the circular Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul sent to Turkish embassies in foreign countries, but it only stated ''all associations which were not involved in terrorism.''
Responding to questions of journalists in ATV private channel, Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''why aren't our embassies in foreign countries be in contact with associations and foundations which were not involved in terrorist activities and which protect sensitivities of our country?''
When reporter said, ''how re-building will be in Iraq from now on? Were Turkey's red lines especially in north of Iraq violated? There are some news stories in New York Times newspaper which claim that Turkey lost its chance to sit at the negotiation table,'' Erdogan said, ''such allegations in the U.S. press shock us and the U.S. I cannot understand those things.''
''There are also official demands. There has not been any serious negative development regarding those red lines so far. I believe that Turkey will take part in both political and physical re-building of Iraq. When considering their own interests, I believe that things which they will get from Turkey will be very beneficial for them,'' he stated.
When asked whether or not there was any demand on political re-building of Iraq from Turkey, Erdogan said that this kind of demands on political re-building of Iraq started to come to Turkey and noted, ''we also approach positively to it. Both Foreign Ministry and General Staff assess the issue currently.''
Upon a question, Erdogan said that there was not only demand on soldier, but also demand on skilled personnel regarding physical re-building.
Erdogan said that the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (U.N.) would buy foodstuff for Iraq in great amount from Turkey.
Upon a question on Cyprus issue, Erdogan said that he earlier also said that 'insolubility is not solution' and added, ''I also say the same thing today. I never made statements against Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas.''
Stating that not only Denktas but also Greek Cypriot side had also responsibility in respect of policy and negotiation style, he said, ''we said during our visit to EU countries that there was not any condition of 'solution of Cyprus issue' within Copenhagen criteria. We asked why EU always brought Cyprus issue in front of Turkey, why EU always talked about north of the island and why EU didn't talk about the south. South should also make self-sacrifice as much as the North. Only in that case, we can reach common point.''
''Here we have a priority and this is the guarantorship of Turkey, the sovereignty rights of Northern Cyprus and the solution of migrants issue.
Here, the migration of Greek Cypriots to the North is wanted. If you start solving the issue from this point, you will get stuck. It means you provoke fight in the name of peace this time,'' Erdogan said.
Erdogan noted that they didn't attribute importance to inclusion of Greek Cypriot side in the EU photo, adding that ''in my opinion a very serious mistake has been done, EU will regard that family photo as an unlucky thing for itself tomorrow. Because one country which couldn't sort out its problems within EU acquisition can't be admitted to EU. This situation will make them uneasy tomorrow, and they will understand their mistake. But it is not enough to understand that mistake. The thing that matters is to take a step back. Time will show if they will take a step back or not.''
Giving information about the talks held to date about Cyprus issue, Erdogan said that they wanted the continuation of the process which was open to negotiation for the solution of the problem. ''We should never be the side which escapes from negotiations, we should always put forward our attitude that we favour negotiations,'' he said.
Regarding a question about the circular issued by Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul asking Turkish Embassies abroad to improve relations with the Islamic Community-Denominational Vision, Prime Minister Erdogan said that '' ''why should not our embassies abroad be in contact with the foundations and associations which protect the sensitivities of the country if those foundations are not involved in terrorism and in any other incidents?'' This should be done in order to strengthen the position of Turkey abroad, he said.
Responding to another question, Erdogan said that the name of an association or foundation was not given in the circular, which only referred to ''all associations which were not involved in terrorism.''
(EÖ-ÖS) 20.04.2003