IAEA HEAD’S STATEMENT ON IRAN "PROBLEMATIC" – TURKISH PREMIER

Hurriyet, Turkey
Feb 25 2007

[Interview of Prime Minister Erdogan by journalist Enis Berberoglu:
"We Are Not Excluding Anyone" – first two paragraphs introduction]

Prime Minister [Recep] Tayyip Erdogan, while flying to Riyadh
following the crucial MGK [National Security Council] meeting,
answered questions regarding talks with [the Kurdish leadership in]
Northern Iraq by saying "we are not excluding anyone. Indeed, there
are such meetings. When you talk, you get results."

When it was pointed out to him that "everyone is going to see these
words of yours as an MGK decision," he said: "These are not images
from the MGK, but images of Tayyip Erdogan; if you note this, I will
be glad." Erdogan’s comments were as follows:

Representatives Meet

[Q] Is there a change in Iraq policy?

[A] It is essential that we generate a new policy. A state like the
state of the Republic of Turkey cannot have any problems such as
being unable to speak with someone. But when it is said that we will
meet, people think that Recep Tayyip Erdogan or [Foreign Minister]
Abdullah Gul will meet with them. The representatives of the state
will meet. Indeed, they are meeting, and have met in the past as
well. When you talk, you get results.

There Are Treaties From 1926 and 1946

[Q] With what purpose will we meet; what are we expecting?

[A] We are expecting a solution; for instance, on the issue of
territorial integrity, we have to convince them. We have to convince
them on the issue of political unity, and the question of the status
of Kirkuk. Otherwise, an infrastructure of difficulties for the future
of Iraq would be created. Moreover, it is wrong to say that Turkey
has no right to speak regarding the future of Iraq. We have rights
arising out of the treaties of 1926 and 1946. We want to bring a halt
to the Sunni/Shi’ite conflict. With this goal in mind, we continue
to meet with Iran and Syria; this now takes place via telephone,
and by invitations.

Make a Note of This

[Q] Will your invitation be limited just to Syria and Iran, or will
certain leaders, about whom there has been public controversy, be
invited as well?

[A] We are not excluding anyone.

[Q] This discussion is taking place just a few hours following the
MGK meeting. Everyone is going to perceive these words of yours as
a decision of the MGK.

[A] (laughing) These are not images from the MGK, but images of Recep
Tayyip Erdogan. If you note this, I will be glad.

Terrorism Provision

[Q] It is being suggested that there is a disharmony on Turkey’s Iraq
policy among the Office of the President, the Office of the Prime
Minister, and the Office of the Chief of the General Staff. Can we
say that harmony was achieved today?

[A] For one thing, it is not possible to accept that there has been
disharmony. In addition, it is the government that will make the
final decision. The MGK is a consultative body. It makes suggestions,
and the Council of Minister then decides.

[Q] Is a suggestion going to come from this MGK?

[A] Yes, there is a provision pertaining to terrorism.

I Congratulated the King

[Q] The traffic of visits with Saudi Arabia has very much accelerated;
is there a particular reason for this?

[A] I am going for the Jedda Economic Forum. But I am also going to
discuss Middle Eastern issues with the King. I considered the steps
that the King took with regard to Hamas [Islamic Resistance Movement]
and Al-Fatah to be very successful. Indeed, I congratulated him
by telephone.

Pay Attention to People of Iran

[Q] Stepping up the sanctions on Iran is likely; will this create
problems?

[A] On this point, there is nothing being asked of Turkey. But [IAEA
Chief Mohammad] Al-Baradei’s statement was a problematic one. The
sanctions must not incite the people of Iran. There has to be a
chance provided for diplomacy, rationality, and experience, rather
than reciprocal bluster.

YOK Chairman Cannot Speak in This Way

[Q] What do you say to the statements by the YOK [Higher Education
Council] Chairman?

[A] First, he reportedly said that we are not allocating money for
new universities. But we are meeting the needs from the supplemental
allocations of the Finance Ministry, and from the DPT [State Planning
Organization] investment acceleration fund. Second, the professors
and associate professors are the business of the YOK, but we provide
the other staff. Third, his approach is very, very ugly, and not at
all appropriate. He evidently said something to the effect that we
were doing these things as an election investment. The YOK Chairman
cannot speak in this way. Last year, 1.6 million students took part
in the university [admission] test. We were evidently able to admit
ten per cent into undergraduate education. The YOK Chairman is proud
of this, but to resolve this is your affair [REFERENCE unclear]. We
have to establish new universities. After the 15, there are ten more
in line. The promise for this was made before the election. And the
opposition promised it as well.

There Were Two Fener[bahce] Teams

[Q] The other day, you and your wife attended the play Leyla and
Majnun.

[A] I’m not someone who goes often to the theatre. But I liked the
play very much. And I found it very successful as a musical.

[Q] What is your assessment of the Fenerbahce [soccer] match?

[A] There were two different Fener[bahce] teams in the two halves of
the game. In the second goal, Volkan [Demirel] stayed in his goal.

Yet he is a lion-like player. If he had come out, the others would
have ended up beneath his feet. That’s what I think a goalee should be.

I Pointed to Two Decrees

[Q] Are you getting news regarding the Armenian [genocide] resolution?

[A] Yes, good reports are coming, but we will see. In the meantime,
a great many visitors are coming. I showed [California Congresswoman]
Jane Harman, who came from the United States, two [Ottoman Imperial]
decrees that [Prime Ministry Adviser] Nabi (Avci) brought and I put up
in my office at Dolmabahce. These decrees pertain to Armenian orphans
in 1876, and to 1,000 liras in assistance, in the money of that time,
to the Armenian hospital at Yedikule in 1916.

Drank Mirra

After Erdogan and those in his party toured Old Driyah [old area of
Riyadh], they were offered mirra [bitter coffee flavored with myrrh].

The Prime Minister drank the mirra with pleasure.

Met at Gate

Erdogan met yesterday with Saudi Arabian King Abdallah Bin Abd-al-Aziz
al-Saud. King Abdallah met Erdogan at the gate of the palace when
he arrived, and also saw him off from the gate. In their meeting,
which lasted for two hours and 15 minutes, the Palestine issue,
developments in Iraq, and regional issues were taken up. King Abdallah,
telling Erdogan "I ascribe importance to Turkey’s, and to your own,
leadership," thanked him for his efforts aimed at bringing about
peace and stability in the Middle East.