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.
     (UK-ULG)
2005-05-04