Gul: We Decided To Accept Request By The U.S. To Use Incirlik Base
Turkish Press
May 7 2005
ANKARA (AA) – Turkish Foreign Minister & Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah
Gul said on Wednesday, “we have decided to accept the request of
the United States to use the Incirlik Air Base, and provide it with
the necessary facilities. Flights at the base will be restricted to
transportation of unlethal cargo to Afghanistan and Iraq.”
Gul informed members of parliamentary commissions of foreign affairs,
national defense, EU adjustment and human rights on recent developments
in foreign policy.
Recalling that the U.S. requested to use the Incirlik Air Base
in southern Turkey for logistic purposes, Gul said, “the request
includes civilian and military cargo planes and transportation of
logistic materials in order to support the ongoing operations in
Afghanistan and Iraq. Turkish General Staff, Turkish MFA and other
relevant institutions assessed the request. In line with the decisions
made by the UN and NATO, the Incirlik Base has been used as a transit
center for Afghanistan on the basis of a decision of the Council of
Minister dated October 18th, 2001.”
“The UN Security Council made another decision in order to confirm
independence and territorial integrity of Iraq, ensure security and
stability in the country and dispatch of humanitarian aid to Iraq. In
line with that decision, the (Turkish) Council of Ministers allowed
on June 23rd, 2003 use of the Incirlik Base as a transit point for
transportation of military supply and personnel by the allied countries
in accordance with principles to be determined by the (Turkish)
General Staff. The period of use of the base was extended on June
23rd, 2005 for one more year. The U.S., Canada, Italy, Hungary and
Britain have been allowed to use the base within the context of the
operations in Afghanistan and Iraq,” he said.
Gul kept on saying, “‘Flights at the base will be restricted to
transportation of non-lethal cargo to Afghanistan and Iraq. Those
planes will not carry ammunition, weapon or military troops. None of
them will be involved in an attack on any country.”
-TURKEY’S EU PROCESS-
Referring to Turkey’s EU process, Gul said, “the EU membership has
been a priority of our foreign policy. Following the EU Summit on
December 17th, 2004, we have maintained our efforts with the same
determination and enthusiasm. In this period, we have given priority to
implementation of reforms. Allegations of a slow-down in our efforts
are baseless.”
Recalling that negotiations between Turkey and the EU would start on
October 3rd, Gul said, “we will sign the additional protocol of the
Ankara Agreement in a way to include the new members of the Union. We
sent a letter to the European Commission on March 28th to express our
consent regarding the text of the protocol. Now, we are waiting for
the EU’s fulfilling its internal procedure to sign it before October
3rd, and submit it to the parliament’s approval.”
“Signing of the protocol will not mean recognition of the Greek Cypriot
Administration. The EU Presidency and the European Commission also
confirmed this,” he said.
-SO-CALLED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE-
Referring to allegations of so-called Armenian genocide, Gul said, “the
proposal of Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Republican People’s
Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal about formation of a joint commission
by Turkish and Armenian historians to investigate archives in all
relevant countries was supported by the international community.”
“However, parliaments of several countries adopted resolutions
recognizing the so-called genocide. Turkish parliament, government and
NGOs reacted to them. We will never allow such a denigration against
Turkey. Therefore, we will change Turkey’s passive struggle into an
active one,” he said.
Noting that “a dangerous development” occurred in Belgium, Gul said,
“Belgian lawmakers are trying to extend the scope of the law about
the Jewish Holocaust in the World War II. A similar initiative was
launched in Germany. Besides our diplomats, Turkish people living in
these countries harshly reacted to such attempts.”
-IRAQ, PALESTINE-ISRAEL AND KYRGYZSTAN-
Giving information about recent developments in Iraq, Gul highlighted
importance of formation of an elected government in regard to
establishment of a stable, democratic and pluralist regime in Iraq
and settlement of peace and security in the region.
Recalling that Prime Minister Erdogan paid state visits to Israel
and Palestine, Gul said that the Israeli-Palestinian dispute and the
peace process were discussed during the visits in detail.
Noting that he would pay a visit to Kyrgyzstan in the coming days,
Gul said, “Turkey accord great importance to efforts to preserve
stability and public order in Kyrgyzstan.”
“Presidential election to be held in this country on July 10th will
have a direct impact on efforts to strengthen the climate of stability
and compromise. Turkey will continue to support Kyrgyzstan in the
future,” Gul added.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress