Turkish Deputy Prime Minister comments on NATO agreement

(17 Feb 2003)

1. Various of press conference
2. SOUNDBITE: (Turkish) Ertugrul Yalcinbayir, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister:
"France, Belgium, and Germany are members of NATO. But they are opposing the standpoint of the US. There are various agreements within NATO and based on those agreements, the decision on Turkey's security is made. Regarding those three countries, France, Belgium and Germany, that I mentioned earlier, they are not criticizing Turkey. They are criticising the US. For now, France at the UN remains silent. But my understanding is that France is aware of the fact that the issue is regarding the safety of Turkey. Iraq is by no means taking actions vis-a-vis Turkey. To them, the counterpart is no one else but America. Turkey is capable of defending itself. But to some extent, we need some cooperations. I pray that the war will be stopped and peace will prevail."
3. Various cutaways of press conference
4. SOUNDBITE: (Turkish) Ertugrul Yalcinbayir, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister:
"Even if there is a war, the war breaks out on hypothesis, Turkey will not be directly involved in the war or will not
participate in the war. I'd like to assure not only Japanese people but also the nations of all other countries of very secure and safe visits to Turkey.
5. Various of press conference

STORYLINE:

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Ertugrul Yalcinbayir on Monday reacted to recent events in NATO saying that France, Belgium and Germany were not against Turkey but were criticising the US.

Speaking during a visit to Japan, Yalcinbayir made his comments following NATO's decision to allow troops into his country in response to a request from Turkey.

France, Belgium and Germany had blocked a US proposal to begin planning to help defend Turkey from possible retaliatory attacks by Saddam Hussein in the event of another war in the Gulf. They argued such a move was premature and would undermine UN efforts to avoid war.

Yalcinbayir reiterated that Turkey would be safe even if war breaks out as it will not get directly involved in the war.

Turkey, which borders Iraq is seen as a crucial staging point for the US military and other allied forces in any attack on Iraq.

Yalcinbayir is also expected to use his visit to discuss bilateral affairs between Japan and Turkey.

Turkish Prime Minister Abdullah Gul was originally scheduled to go to Japan but his visit was cancelled due to the current standoff regarding Iraq issue.

Gul is expected to fly to Brussels Monday to attend a EU summit meeting on Iraq.

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