Turkish PM Declares to Side with US in Iraqi War

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, February 07, 2003

Turkish PM Declares to Side with US in Iraqi War

Turkish Prime Minister Abdullah Gul has announced that Turkey would stand by the US side during a looming war against Iraq, the mass-circulated Turkish daily Hurriyet (Freedom) reported on Thursday.

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Turkish Prime Minister Abdullah Gul has announced that Turkey would stand by the US side during a looming war against Iraq, the mass-circulated Turkish daily Hurriyet (Freedom) reported on Thursday.

Gul made the declaration while addressing the media on Wednesday after a cabinet decision to send to parliament a motion about modernization of Turkish bases and ports by the United States in preparation for war.

"We have done our best. All ways for peace have been exhausted. Don't blame us if something goes wrong," Gul said, adding "at this point, we have to think of Turkey's interests. As of today, we stand by and act with our strategic partner, the United States."

The Turkish parliament will vote Thursday on the motion which allows arrival of thousands of US military personnel in Turkey's military bases and ports for a possible war on Iraq.

With this voting, Turkey will officially open the door to any US-led war against Iraq and the government will officially declare its support to the operation against Iraq.

As expected, the opposition Republican People's Party will vote against the motion, but the motion will approved by votes of more than 300 deputies from the ruling Justice and Development Party. Altogether 139 votes are required to pass the bill.

US Treasury Department Undersecretary for International Affairs John Taylor will arrive in Ankara Thursday to hold contacts on an aid package that the United States plans to give to Turkey in return for Turkey's contribution to the US operation on Iraq.

Decision of Taylor's visit to Turkey was taken at a phone conversation between Gul and US Vice President Dick Cheney on Tuesday.

Gul said Turkey's economic loss was not met at the Gulf War and so it wants a guaranty on financial support in case of a new one.

Cheney said Taylor will be sent to Turkey to give an guarantee that Turkey's economic loss would be met.

Taylor is scheduled to meet with Turkish State Minister in charge of economy Ali Babacan and Treasury Undersecretary Faik Oztrak, and then hold a meeting with Gul on Friday.

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