FM Abdullah Gul left on Tuesday for the US

Gul told reporters that he would take up sending soldiers to Iraq, relations with the Balkans, Caucasus and Transatlantic, economic relations and fight against terrorism during his visit.

Gul said that it would not be right to perceive his visit only related with sending soldiers to Iraq.

None of the impressions in the press about sending soldiers to Iraq was right, Gul noted.

Gul stated that U.S. military officials who visited Ankara unofficially confirmed their wish to act together in Iraq and that issue was being discussed in several levels.

Recalling that the United States asked the question to almost 50 countries including Turkey on March 26 what their contributions to Iraq’s future could be after the war, Gul said that Turkey told the United States its own possible contributions but there was not any formal demand other than that.

Gul pointed out that sending soldiers to Iraq would be evaluated within the framework of Constitution, the United Nations (U.N.), NATO, neighborhood and alliance.

”Turmoil is out of question. These are national issues. Everybody should act in line with Turkey’s interests,” Gul said.

Gul stated that his visit to the United States was the highest occasion between two countries that was taking place after their government took the office.

He would meet with U.S. State Secretary Colin Powell, Vice President Dick Cheney, U.S. President George W. Bush’s National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, congress members, and representatives of Turkish-American associations and Jewish society, Gul said.

Gul noted that he would make a speech in Washington Institute.

He would also hold meetings in the Pentagon upon demand of the United States, Gul pointed out.

Gul underlined that there were rooted relations between the two countries and emphasized that two countries continued their relations with an understanding of alliance although some difficult days were experienced from time to time.

Foreign Minister Gul hoped that his visit would put relations on a healthy basis and that intention to continue cooperation would be confirmed during his visit.