INTERVIEW WITH TURKISH PRIME MINISTER BULENT ECEVIT

PBS

January 17, 2002

Excerpts

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JIM LEHRER: There has been... There have been many suggestions and even overt threats in this country about the fact that the next step in the war on terrorism should be the overthrow of Saddam Hussein in Iraq. Do you support that?

BULENT ECEVIT: Well, we don't want to interfere in the political questions of other countries, particularly neighboring countries, it would create serious problems for Turkey. What has been essential for Turkey is that Iraq should not be divided, because that would have adverse effects for Turkey.

JIM LEHRER: You're talking about either -- a division based on the Kurds?

BULENT ECEVIT: That's right, yes.

JIM LEHRER: And then the Kurds in Turkey might unite with Kurds in Iraq and cause a problem?

BULENT ECEVIT: Well, I'm sure there are people of Turkish origin wouldn't want to do that, but external forces would try to influence the situation in Turkey. After all, we paid great prices because of the virtual partitioning of Iraq. We missed at least $50 billion worth of incomes. And the separatist terrorist organization, PKK, had easy access to Turkey to, inside Turkey.

JIM LEHRER: What do you say to what President Bush and others have said, is that as long as Saddam Hussein is in control of Iraq, Iraq will be a threat to the region. It is attempting to build weapons of mass destruction.

BULENT ECEVIT: Yes, we certainly have to undertake all measures to see to it that the Baghdad regime is not organized and militarized in a degree and way that it would pose a serious threat for the region. We wouldn't allow that. And of course we have been cooperating with the United States through an air base in Turkey called Incirlik, where American aircraft are situationed.

And whenever there is something that creates a suspicion, the aircraft in Incirlik intervene. So we keep an eye, a close eye on northern Iraq, because northern Iraq is a serious problem for us. It could be used as a basis for partitioning in Turkey, as well. Nobody could do it, but the efforts to do such a thing would cause serious problems in Turkey. So we are fulfilling our task in preventing serious armament stocks in Iraq within our possibilities.

JIM LEHRER: Did you discuss this with President Bush or any other U.S. officials?

BULENT ECEVIT: Yes. President Bush brought up the question yesterday when we visited with him. He expressed in strong terms that he can't... That he has to get rid of Saddam Hussein.

JIM LEHRER: And you expressed back what you just said to me, the concerns of Turkey?

BULENT ECEVIT: Well, that our main concern is that Iraq should not become a divided country.

JIM LEHRER: And that... What did... Did you say what Turkey's position would be if the U.S. did take military action of some kind?

BULENT ECEVIT: Well, we wouldn't even think of a military action because that would have extremely adverse results for Turkey. After all, we are on the borders. We have a common border with Iraq. And it's a very sensitive area geopolitically, but President Bush assured us that if and when Iraq may... The United States may take... They may decide to take a step, a serious step, they would consult with us.

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