PM Gül: Friendly Relationship Of Mutual Understanding With U.S. Will Go On
"The United States showed its respect for democratic process"
Anatolia News Agency, March 2, 2003, ANKARA - Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Sunday that the Turkish-American relations were strategic, adding that those relations would go with friendship and mutual understanding.

"The Iraqi leadership should not exploit parliament's decision yesterday. If they misunderstand and delay cooperation with the United Nations then the chance of peace will reduce," Gul said.

AK Party Central Decision and Executive Board convened the same day under the leadership of AK Party leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan at 10.35 local time to assess the result of yesterday's voting in the parliament.

Speaking to reporters, Gul said before the meeting that Turkey was the only democratic country of the region, adding that the democratic decision mechanisms and the democratic process operated. "Everything takes place in the eyes of the public opinion and the public opinion puts forward its views," he said adding that "we had certain consultations, we had meetings in our party group, but everybody knew that the parliament would give the final decision. That was the order of the Constitution."

Gul said that the parliament put forward its will by its decision yesterday, adding that they had to respect it.

Gul said, "Our friendly relationship of mutual understanding with the United States will go on. It should not be only depended on a motion. Thus, our friendly relations will continue. Turkey and the United States have cooperation in a very broad field."

Gul stated, "the government will evaluate the situation calmly. Whatever measure has to be taken will be taken. There is no need for concern."

When asked whether there would be a preparation for a new motion as a measure which had to be taken, Gul said that those things would be assessed and stated that the government and the AK Party would assess it.

Asked whether a meeting with the U.S. officials was held after meetings which were held on Saturday evening, Gul said that Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal invited U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Robert Pearson and informed him about developments.

Gul said that he appreciated statements of U.S. administration and representatives and added that the United States showed its respect for democratic process.

Gul said, "because the United States knows this process well. I appreciate the statements of the United States which were issued on Saturday."