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ANKARA: Fragmentation Of Iraq Cannot Be A Way Out, Gul

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  • ANKARA: Fragmentation Of Iraq Cannot Be A Way Out, Gul

    FRAGMENTATION OF IRAQ CANNOT BE A WAY OUT, GUL

    Anatolian Times, Turkey
    Nov 15 2006

    ANKARA - "Some circles try to show fragmentation of Iraq as a way
    out. Such an approach, which will certainly drag Iraq into a chaos,
    cannot be Turkey's policy. The mistake that were made at the beginning
    of Iraq war cannot be repeated," Turkish FM & Deputy PM Abdullah Gul
    said on Tuesday.

    Commenting on Turkish-U.S. relations, Gul said, "our relations with
    the USA cover a wide range and are directed towards similar targets."

    He said fight against terrorism was the main concern of Turkey and
    the USA.

    Briefing MPs at the parliament about recent developments in Iraq, Gul
    said Turkey, from the very beginning, did its best for a democratic and
    well-administered Iraq, which also preserve its territorial integrity
    and political unity.

    "Unfortunately, we are sorry to see that sectarian acts of violence
    escalated in Iraq and the security, generally speaking,is worsened,"
    Gul noted.

    "Another issue on which Turkey feels uneasy is the future status of
    Kirkuk," Gul indicated, and noted that the ambitious policies carried
    out on this matter were very dangerous.

    -PKK/KONGRA-GEL-

    Pointing to the presence of members of PKK/KONGRA-GEL terrorist
    organization in (northern) Iraq, Gul said fight against terrorism
    can only succeed in case all support coming from abroad is stopped.

    -MIDDLE EAST-

    Underscoring that Palestine-Israel conflict was on the basis of the
    problems in the Middle East, Gul said Turkey believed that the only
    way out was through (the establishment of) two-states (Palestine and
    Israel) living side by side.

    Commenting on sending of Turkish peacekeepers to Lebanon, Gul
    added, "not only military but also members of NGOs and humanitarian
    organizations were sent to this country. This proves that Turkey is
    a reliable partner as regards preventing clashes and human tragedies
    in its region."

    -IRAN-

    "Turkey closely monitors the developments regarding Iran's nuclear
    program. Turkey exerts efforts to solve this problem through diplomatic
    means" Gul said.

    "Turkey supports the right of all countries to take advantage from the
    nuclear technology for civilian purposes," Gul said, indicating that,
    "Turkey deems proliferation of nuclear weapons as a serious security
    threat."

    -ARMENIA-

    Touching on relations with Armenia, Gul said, "Turkey expressed its
    willingness to normalize relations with Armenia within the framework
    of good neighborhood, mutual interest and respect to territorial
    integrity. Armenia has not yet displayed a similar approach."

    -RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA-

    Gul said Turkey considered relations with Russia from a positive
    point of view, noting that recent reciprocal high ranking visits
    strengthened mutual confidence.

    Turkish FM indicated that Turkey has become Russia's second biggest
    trade partner last year with a trade volume of 15-billion USD . "We
    hope to raise this figure to 20 billion by the end of this year and
    to 25 billion USD in 2008," he said.

    -GREECE-

    Gul said Turkey deployed efforts to solve problems with Greece
    through dialogue and underlined that Turkey's objective is to raise
    the bilateral trade volume with this country to 5 billion USD.
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