FM: Iraqi Governing Council not against Turkey

Dirioz held a weekly news conference.

Dirioz said, "it is clear that those are individual statements. Iraqi Governing Council didn’t take such a decision. Some different views had been expressed, but those were based on particular concerns."

Stating that concerns were unsubstantiated, Dirioz said, "there is democratic regime in Turkey. Everything is open. It will be enough for you to read the motion to understand this."

Dirioz said, "framework of Turkey’s approaches were drawn in the motion. The assignment will be carried out within this framework."

Stressing that Iraq has always been an important neighbor for Turkey, Dirioz said Turkey had preserved its positive relations both with Iraq and Iran during the war between those two countries. Dirioz said Turkey had important contribution to Iraqi people during the period of sanctions.

Dirioz said, "Iraq’s overcoming those difficulties will also be to our benefit. We are willing to make contribution to this. As everybody wants normalization in Iraq soon, Turkey’s contribution to this target is very natural."

Replying to a question, Dirioz said "consultation process between Turkey and the United States" was expected to start soon after the approval of the motion on dispatch of Turkish soldiers to Iraq.

Dirioz said deployment region of Turkish soldiers in Iraq would be determined during the talks, stating that the statements, attributed to Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul on the issue, did not fully reflect the truths.

Replying to a question about the route which would be followed while Turkish soldiers were going to the region, Dirioz said this would be determined in line with military requirements.