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TURKEY CAVES IN TO US PRESSURE: 

Turkey's Prime Minister Addresses Nation: Any War In Iraq Will Not Be Turkey's War

Anadolu Agency: Saturday, February 08, 2003

ANKARA - Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Saturday that the decision that parliament made on Thursday was ''not a war decision'' and noted, ''this decision is a decision made in order to prevent this war from being harmful for us.''

Addressing the nation on state-run TRT channel, Gul noted that Turkey's national interests could be materialized by ensuring peace in the region.

Gul said, ''it is the day to unite for interests of our country and nation and a day of solidarity not a day to make irresponsible declarations.''

''I want to openly share all the realities with you,'' Gul addressed the nation.

Gul stated that important developments occurred recently and they were experiencing an extraordinary period.

Developments were not only related with Iraq but concerned both Turkey and the regional countries and even the whole world, Gul pointed out.

Gul said, ''Iraq is not far away from us. It is our neighbor. Iraqi nation is a nation, whose territorial integrity we attribute important and with whom we have historical and cultural ties. We have relatives and brothers there.''

''Parliament made a decision on Thursday. It was not a war decision. This decision is a decision made in order to prevent this war from being harmful for us. It is a decision which gives opportunity to continuation of our peace efforts more efficiently. We are still hopeful about peace. We insistently continue our efforts for peace because we believe in peace and believe in its advantages. We don't want any bloodshed and tears. We are sincere,'' Gul added.

They observed opposite reactions from both sides when peace efforts were continued, Gul noted.

Gul said, ''on one hand, some people want us to back war without any hesitations and say why we are still waiting and we are late. They don't think the damages of what they are saying to our national interests. These people don't remember the damages of the former war on our nation. On the other hand, there are people who try to show us as a supporter of war because they don't understand our active peace policy. These circles don't take our peace efforts seriously. It is strange that these people try to show our preparations in order to protect our national interests in case of the worst development as support to a war. These circles easily accuse us as it we haven't done anything for peace. But, everybody has to understand something. It is the day to unite for interests of our country and nation and a day of solidarity not a day to make irresponsible declarations.''

They informed all political parties represented at parliament and outside parliament in every opportunity, Gul noted.

Gul stated that he met with Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal for three times.

''I have met with everybody in and out of the parliament. I explained everything and what may happen. We have always been transparent about this issue,'' Gul said.

Gul pointed out that their government had to deal with three important foreign policy issues, namely the European Union (EU), Iraq and Cyprus issues after it won the vote of confidence.

''We have been in a very active diplomatic effort regarding these three issues for the last two months. You have followed them. We have launched initiatives the day after the elections. We have recorded significant progress. We have made all these for a brilliant future. Now, Iraqi issue is before our other problems. Our government has set three basic political principles concerning Iraqi issue. These are comprised of three points: Prevailing peace in the world, contributing to regional peace and stability and protecting Turkey's national interests,'' Gul said.

Gul noted, ''the most important point is to maintain world peace. Turkey has undertaken peace mission with its soldiers and police in many regions during a crisis as a part of its peace principle. This is a fact of which most of us are not aware. Today, our country is one of the countries which make the most contribution to world peace from Afghanistan to Angola, from East Timor to Kosovo and Palestine.''

''We want peace. Therefore, our country is against mass destructive weapons wherever they take place,'' said Gul.

Gul went on saying, ''to this end, we have stated that we support resolution 1441 of the United Nations (U.N.) Security Council. We continue our contacts with particularly the U.N., the United States and other allies about implementation of the resolution. We have set the limits of this cooperation as international legitimacy principle. Second point is regional peace. Our principle to ensure regional peace and stability complies with our world peace principle. World peace is meaningful only if it contributes to peace in our region. Peace efforts in the world should not cause instability in the region.''

''Thirdly, our country has to be in peace during these developments. Our main principle is protection of our national interest. Our national interests can be materialized if peace is ensured in our region and world. But, if incidents that may occur outside us cause consequences regarding our national interests, we have to regard all the alternatives and be prepared for these alternatives,'' added Gul.

''OUR PRIORITY IS PEACEFUL SOLUTION TILL THE VERY END''

Gul said that they had carried out an active peace diplomacy to reach their target with five parties, including the United States and their allies, Iraq, regional countries, the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (U.N).

Gul noted that they stressed their determination to preserve Iraq's territorial integrity and national unity during their contacts but that Iraq rejected those efforts at first.

''But, we see some positive changes in Iraqi side although they are small changes. This is a development which shows how important our peace efforts are. But, these small steps should be increased in quantity and quality,'' Gul said.

Noting that they had carried out an active peace diplomacy to reach their target with five parties, including the United States and their allies, Iraq, regional countries, the EU and the U.N., Gul said, ''the first of these contacts is contacts with the United States carried as a part of our ongoing strategic partnership since the World War II. On one hand, reciprocal consultations are continued on the other hand the United States is told about our concerns over the consequences of a possible war in every level.''

Gul went on saying, ''second part of our contacts are held by neighbor Iraq, which will suffer from the biggest damages in case of a possible war. We have tried to contribute to a peaceful solution by holding continuous contacts with Iraq in every level. We sincerely stressed the importance we attribute to Iraq's territorial integrity and our sorrow over sufferings of the Iraqi people. But, on the other hand, we continuously warned Iraq to exert more efforts to convince the international community and the U.N. We sent a direct message to Saddam Hussein and we insistently ask him to exert serious efforts for peace.''

In parallel to these contacts with the United States and Iraq, they held intense contacts and meetings with regional countries, Gul stressed and said that their contacts continued.

Gul pointed out that they visited Syria, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Iran a while ago and exchanged very open views with the officials.

''During these contacts, we observed that regional countries shared similar concerns and believed that there was still chance for peaceful solution. After seeing the common ground, we pioneered the meeting of the foreign ministers of regional countries in Istanbul. This initiative is the first in regional history. These countries put forth a common solution for the Iraqi issue and future of the region,'' Gul said.

Gul noted, ''we asked Iraq to increase its cooperation with the U.N. at the end of the meeting. We stressed our determination to preserve Iraq's territorial integrity and national unity. Unfortunately, Iraq rejected our efforts at first. But, we see some positive changes in Iraqi side although they are small. This is a development which shows how important our peace efforts are. But, these steps should be increased in quantity and quality.''

Fourthly, they held intense and important contacts with the EU and European countries, Gul said.

Gul pointed out that many European statesmen came to Turkey and those statesmen supported Turkey's active peace policy.

They held continues consultations with many European officials in that process, Gul said.

Gul noted that they met with British Prime Minister Tony Blair for several times and Blair also supported their efforts for peace.

Fifthly, they continued to hold contacts with the U.N. and U.N. Security Council members, Gul pointed out.

Gul added that they met with U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan for several times.

''ANY WAR IN IRAQ WILL NOT BE TURKEY'S WAR''

Gul said that they spent serious time on efforts for peace and contacted with the whole world.

Gul noted, ''we still continue our communication and will continue to do so. Turkey's efforts have been appreciated by everybody.''

None of those who saw Turkey's efforts and initiatives could say that Turkey wanted war and backed war, Gul pointed out.

Gul said, ''I would once more like to reiterate that we never want war in our region. The only thing that Turkey has done so far is to exert efforts for peace on behalf of the region by taking action from its historical mission. All public institutions are working in harmony. Our president, parliament, public institutions, Turkish Armed Forces, and the foreign ministry have contributed to peaceful efforts day and night and continue to do so. They will continue their efforts also during the Feast of Sacrifice. This work aims to make following feasts a real feast.''

''I know well that these efforts have been expected and supported by everybody. Our efforts have not ended. As long as there is a light for peace, Turkey will exert every effort to strengthen that light. We, as people who experienced world wars and the Gulf War, know that any war in our region has not been beneficial to our neighbors and relatives,'' Gul noted.

Gul stated that those who knew what war was would make use of every method, remedy and initiative for peace.

The government acted so and would continue to do so from now on, Gul said.

Gul pointed out that opposite declarations and claims would be ''injustice.''

Peace should be based on concrete realities and steps aiming at peace should be taken till the very end, Gul said.

Gul went on saying, ''I should openly say that the moment when all hopes for peace fade can come despite all these efforts. We will continue to keep peace light alive and be prepared against the worst possibility till the point when a war is unavoidable comes. We are trying to prevent a fire in our neighbor. But, we have to take measures to put out the fire and to prevent it from spreading around in case it occurs. What we are trying to do is this.''

''We have to be very realistic to serve peace today. The first fact is to continue to be determined and use our power and energy to ensure peace till the last moment. Secondly, we have to be prepared against unfavorable developments. This is the reality that should be taken seriously for the future of our nation and country. Our position in Iraqi issue has not changed. We will try to prevail peace since efforts are exhausted and to protect our nation from damages of a war when efforts are exhausted. On one hand we continue our efforts to this end and on the other hand we are taking measures on time. The recommendatory decision made at the last National Security Council meeting reflects this important fact,'' Gul said.

Gul pointed out that parliament made a decision on Thursday to protect Turkey's national interests against possible unfavorable developments.

''New measures can be taken in coming days to protect the interest and well-being of our country according to the developments. We will not hesitate to take them when necessary. These are decisions which prepare us against developments instead of decisions which permit a war. Yes, any war in Iraq will not be Turkey's war. But, we will not make Turkey face a situation which harms its security, economy and welfare as in the past,'' Gul said.

Gul went on saying, ''Turkey is not strange to this geography. On the contrary, it is a force which has almost thousand-year record of this geography. Turkey is not a country which wants peace in this region. On the contrary, it is the inheritor of a history which brought peace, justice and civilization to the region. Our efforts for peace and our preparation for negative developments are requirements of today's facts as well as this biggest heritage. This preparation is at the same time a preparation for future Turkey.''

''I hope the Feast of Sacrifice will be the feast of peace,'' Gul said and wished that God would assist them in their efforts to settle peace in the region and world.

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