"We are not so willing to send troops to Iraq"

He added, "We want to do what is necessary for Iraqi people’s happiness. We want Iraq among democratic and law states. Iraq is our neighbour yesterday, today and tomorrow. We will not have any act to cause negative events. Iraqis’ demands are very important for us, but there are negative approaches for other foreign troops, too. At the same time Turkey is not so willing to send troops to Iraq, but the US demanded it and we evaluate it."

Erdogan said that the demand of Iraqi people was of great importance for Turkey and stated that there were circles which assumed negative or positive attitude not only toward Turkish soldiers but also soldiers of other countries.

Erdogan added, "we are not so passionate about sending soldiers to Iraq. There is a demand of the United States and we are evaluating it."

Concerning the last resolution which was taken in the U.N. Security Council, Erdogan said that developments after the resolution of the Security Council would also play an important role in talks which continued between Turkey and the United States.

When asked why talks between Turkey and the United States extended and whether the reason of it could be a change in thought of the United States, he said, "I don’t know. But the United States might also have waited for the resolution of the Security Council. The demand of the United States is of great importance for us. We want to support improvement of stability in Iraq and contribute to happiness of Iraqi people. But if Iraqi people say that ‘we don’t want anyone’, there will be nothing to do. Let’s look at what will happen after the U.N. resolution. We will go there if it is wanted. We will not go there if it is not wanted. We don’t have any sine qua non decision. We said that Turkish soldiers will go there to extend help to logistics, infrastructure and security of Iraqi people. We have an army which has always been successful wherever it goes."