Turkey may send its troops to Iraq without UN decision

Responding questions of reporters, Gul said that they would make evaluation and examination within this process. "Goverment’s decision will be sent to Parliament.
We cannot ignore what is happening in our neighbor. Territorial integrity of Iraq and Iraqi people’s reaching peace and stability is important for Turkey as well. A conciliatory Iraq, a region which starts to use own sources and where economic relations develop is for the interest of Turkey. It will be for the interest of Turkey to contribute this, but we are evaluating the conditions and developments. We will make examination in its place. As the United States is authorized there, the results of the negotiations we have made with them will be gathered, evaluated and a decision will be taken. We are at point of a serious evaluation and information gathering."

"Terrorist organization PKK/KADEK is settled in the north of Iraq at the moment. A new Reassociation Law is adopted. We hope that those who did not participate in events will evaluate this law in the best way. Of course, no one cannot give opportunity to terrorists to stay continuously in Iraq. The United States and Britain should be interested in this issue since they have authorities there. Statement on north of Iraq of our group acting chairman is within this scope."
When asked whether or not President Ahmet Necdet Sezer was convinced of sending soldiers to Iraq, Gul answered, “I don’t understand why people are fixed on those kinds of issues. PM Erdogan, Chief of General Staff Ozkok, officials and I made a detailed assessment on the issue in Presidential Palace and a view appeared. We are at the level of assessment. After those issues are evaluated, decision of the government will also be taken.
We should give up discussions such as whether or not he was convinced of the issue. We should take into consideration interests of Turkey."
Upon another question, Gul said that no. 1483 UN resolution reached a certain point and called all countries to help Iraq reach tranquility.

Gul said that there was not any draft resolution, which was taken for settlement of stability in Iraq under the structure of the UN and noted that coming out of such a decision soon was not certain.
Stating that they believed that the UN’s taking such a decision would be very beneficial, Gul added, "in case it is not taken, we are evaluating what Turkey’s interest require. Turkey is not a member of the Security Council. Thus, Turkey doesn’t have authority for a decision to be taken in the UN alone.

We are not a key country there, but we defend such a decision’s being taken. We are exerting efforts for a decision to be taken, but by our capacity. But, in case such a decision is not taken, we are carrying out preliminary activities not to endanger interests of Turkey."