[A-List] Turkey: Chief Of General Staff Returns From the US

[Sabri Oncu <soncu@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Gen. Ozkok, Chief Of General Staff, Returns From United States

ANKARA - Gen. Hilmi Ozkok, the Chief of General Staff, said on
Sunday that if there is to be an intervention against Iraq, it
would be appropriate to hold it within international legal basis.
"We wish Iraqi administration to abide by the U.N. Security
Council resolution reached unanimously, and not to pave ways for
incidents that would cause hot developments in the region."

Gen. Hilmi Ozkok, who returned to Turkey wrapping up his visit to
the United States, made a press statement regarded with his
contacts there.

Pointing out that his visit to the United States took place in
two parts, Gen. Ozkok said in the first section of his visit, he
had high level contacts in Washington D.C. He said in the second
part, he held contacts in various military units and
headquarters.

Gen. Ozkok said he was accompanied by a delegation from Foreign
Ministry, and Faruk Logoglu, Turkey's Ambassador in Washington
D.C.

Gen. Ozkok said, "in the first section of my visit, I had face to
face meetings with the U.S. Chief of General Staff Gen. Richard
Myers, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, State Secretary Colin
Powell, and U.S. President George W. Bush's National Security
Adviser Condolezza Rice. Also, I talked with U.S. Vice President
Dick Cheney. I exchanged views on various security policies and
military issues with the officials of the friendly and ally
United States within the contents of strategical partner. I
particularly conveyed our views regarded with bilateral military
relations, fight against international terrorism, NATO, EU,
European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP), future of
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan,
our expectations, views, concerns and wishes on Cyprus and Iraq.
I listened to their views on the same issues. We also reviewed
the facilities to improve cooperation on defense industry."

Gen. Ozkok said, "I stressed that military criteria and Turkey's
increasing importance should absolutely be taken into
consideration primarily within the scope of the new command
structure carried out in NATO. I reiterated our principle views
on the EU and ESDI and the importance of the support of the
United States in this respect."

Gen. Ozkok said he explained the possible negative effects of
Cyprus's EU membership on political solution on the island by
making references to particularly London and Zurich agreements,
the facts experienced on the Island, the TRNC people, and their
legal rights. Gen. Ozkok said, "by revealing that Cyprus is
indispensable for Turkey's security, I expressed my belief that
Cyprus's entrance to the EU together with Turkey would bring
solution to many probable crises."

Pointing out that the United States was one of the countries who
could understand Turkey's sufferings after it experienced
September 11 terrorist attack, Gen. Ozkok said it was saddening
that what Turkey wanted to disclose for years on terrorism was
confirmed with such an incident. He said some countries could not
still comprehend the importance of international cooperation in
fight against terrorism.

Gen. Ozkok said, "we have contributed to the international
efforts in fight against terrorism carried out under the
leadership of the United States. I was pleased to see that the
United States appreciated the success of ISAF carried out under
the leadership of Turkey."

Stressing that Iraqi issue was also taken up during his contacts,
Gen. Ozkok said he got the impression that the United States was
determined to purify Iraq from mass destruction weapons and
exclude it from being a threat. He said a political decision has
not been taken yet to this end.

Gen. Ozkok said Turkey wished Iraqi administration to abide by
the decisions of the United States Security Council and not to
pave ways for incidents which may cause hot developments in the
region.

"The outlines of what we have conveyed on Iraq during the
contacts was that as it was reiterated in the latest U.N.
resolution, mass destruction weapons constitute a very serious
source of concern for the region. If possible, solution of the
problem through peaceful means is important. If there is to be an
intervention, holding it within an international legal basis will
be appropriate. Formations in northern part of Iraq, which Turkey
will oppose, should not be given opportunity. Preservation of
rights of Turkmens, as well as other ethical groups in Iraq, is
another issue which we attribute importance. It is of vital
importance to take measures which will compensate the loses
Turkey suffered during the Gulf War and the economic loses which
it may suffer in a new possible intervention."

Ozkok said that he had the opportunity to meet with
representatives of Turkish American Council at a breakfast. He
noted that such organizations had an important place in U.S.
political system, stating that exchanging views with Council
representative on several issues was very beneficial.

Pointing out that he then had a short meeting with the
representatives of the lobby supporting Turkey in the United
States, Ozkok went on saying, "I visited an infantry division and
a commando school in Georgia. I also paid a courtesy visit to
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander. During my visit, I had
the opportunity to debate international fight against terrorism.
I also visited Cape Canaveral and Cape Kennedy space centers in
Florida. I can say that this visit was very useful for Turkey's
decision to join space activities."

Ozkok noted that he was welcomed warmly in all military units and
headquarters in the United States and added, "this hospitality of
course stemmed from importance of my country. I once more thank
U.S. officials."

Asked what kind of demands were made from Turkey for a probable
operation on Iraq and asked if this issue was brought onto the
agenda during those contacts, Ozkok said, "we have not received
any official demand at the moment."

When a reporter said, "you said in your statement that you
conveyed to the other side that a formation which is not approved
by Turkey should not be permitted in the north of Iraq" and asked
about the possibility of giving permission to that formation
according to his impressions, Ozkok said, "I did not come accross
with any statement that such a formation will be permitted."

Asked if a result was reached about the extension of mandate of
ISAF, Ozkok said, "we received this as an unofficial intention
because the country that will take over the mandate has to make
plans. But, I stated that we want to hand over the mandate to
another country in the normal period that is December 20 because
otherwise, some problems will occur and there can be some
economic costs. We are awaiting the developments."

When a reporter said, "during your visit, some U.S.-oriented news
said that the U.S. government was preparing assistance for Turkey
worth of 5 billion U.S. dollars or in different amounts" and
asked if such an assistance was brought onto the agenda during
his contacts, Ozkok said, "as I have said before, I stated that
we had significant economic losses during the Gulf Crisis, all
our people were negatively affected and that we expect a possible
new operation to give more damages to Turkey. I also stated that
these economic losses have to be compensated in a way."

On a question saying, "the U.S. news organs are saying that
Turkey's bases can be used in a possible operation on Iraq. What
is the situation," Ozkok said, "such a demand will be made to
political authorities in Turkey by putting into practice
procedures in the state. I am not in the position to make a
further statement."

When asked if Turkish personnel could be sent to the United
States related with the space activities, Ozkok said, "I debated
this isuse. Efforts are under way about this issue. A space
agency is being formed. Turkish Air Forces and Istanbul Technical
University have a project and approaches towards this issue.
Turkey has to deal with this isuse. As I personally closely
follow this issue and saw those places, I once more saw that this
decision and hope of Turkey is very rationalist. I hope we will
all be happy when we take a role in space activities one day."

Anadolu Agency 11/10/2002 1:28:10 PM

Article at:
http://www.turkishpress.com/turkishpress/news.asp?ID=7712