STATEMENT BY H.E. ABDULLAH GÜL, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY
AT THE REGIONAL INITIATIVE MEETING
AMMAN

6 JANUARY 2005

- I thank you for taking the initiative of convening this meeting.

- Our meeting takes place at a critical juncture.

- The first free elections in Iraq will take place at the end of this month.

- We all wish the elections to be a turning point in the Iraqi political transition.

- In fact, the importance of these elections was also stressed at the International Ministerial Meeting that took place in Sharm el Sheikh, last November.

- We all know that the tasks in Iraq are easier said than done.

- The security situation in Iraq remains very difficult because of the ongoing violence and terror.

- Turkish citizens, both official and private, are also becoming victims of terrorism in Iraq, in increasing numbers.

- We should do everything within our power to help improve security in Iraq.

- The meeting of the Interior Ministers of the regional countries one month ago in Tehran was a good beginning for stepping up our joint coordination and cooperation in this respect.

- The conclusions of this meeting need to be vigorously pursued.

- We should be in a position to review what we will have accomplished by the time we hold the second such meeting in Turkey.

- In the meantime, we remain focused on the January 30 elections.

- The technical preparations and the registration process for these elections are now over.

- Most of the provinces are fairly secure for holding the elections.

- The problem is mainly with several central provinces.

- We must do everything collectively to help improve the situation in these areas between now and the election date.

- There is not one single constituency in Iraq which is not crucial for its common future.

- I know it is difficult to ask people to manifest their political choice under conditions of high risk.

- But, without rising to the challenge, the process cannot go on.

- Especially in the course of the last two months, we have been talking with all sections of the political and social spectrum of the Iraqi society on the issue of participation in the elections.

- Our friendly advice to all is based on the following basic principles;

-After the fall of the dictatorship, there is no ground for sectarian resentment.

-There is only one agenda for Iraq: Unity in pluralism.

-No one segment of the Iraqi society can alone hold the key for the future shape of the country.

-Equally, no one segment of the Iraqi society can dictate its will on the rest.

-Rebuilding Iraq is a collective undertaking and will remain collective throughout.


- Based on this principled approach, we have been telling to all our Iraqi friends that they should take part in these elections in good numbers, because staying out is not an option and it will not serve their interest.

- These elections will shape the constituent body that will draft the constitution.

- And, these elections will put in place the first Iraqi government based on popular choice.

- This popular base should cover everybody.

- This is a must for giving legitimacy to the government that will assume power after the elections.

- We are fully aware of the reasoning of those well - meaning parties who say that they could not adequately prepare for the elections and their constituencies are under the threat of terror.

- These are fully understandable.

- But, any long postponement of the elections will be seen as a victory by those groups who are doing everything within their power through unspeakable terror and violence with the sole objective of derailing the political process and substituting it with their designs.

- I hope that Iraqi people will not allow this to happen.

- So, the choice is clear: Holding the elections according to the political timetable, perhaps with the adjustments that may need to be made.

- It is certainly up to the Iraqis themselves to decide on whatever arrangement they may wish to make in this regard.

- We also have had extensive consultations with the directly interested Iraqi groups in this connection.

- We shall be ready to offer our own suggestions to the Iraqi authorities that will be aimed at making these elections acceptable to all.

- At this crucial juncture, the neighbouring countries have become even more relevant to the internal process in Iraq.

- Our joint objective of seeing a territorially integral and politically unified Iraq is in full harmony with the effective pursuit of the political process in Iraq.

- Therefore, we should today make a solemn appeal to all Iraqis to participate in these elections.

- And, we should assure them we shall stand by Iraq throughout, so long as their common agenda is advanced collectively.

- The dangers that the political process is facing are not limited to the security issues alone.

- As has been raised numerous times at the previous meetings of our regional initiative, we see constant efforts that run counter to the vision of an Iraq living in unity.

- Unilateral efforts designed to change the demographics of whole regions are unfortunately continuing. The aim of these efforts is clear: Claiming exclusive ownership of certain cities and provinces.

- Also a coordinated effort with outside backing is being deployed to hold a separate referendum for regional independence.

- These are non - starters for Iraq’s future and non-starters for the regional countries.

- All of us have to be extremely vigilant over these tendencies.

- Turkey will continue to assist Iraq economically as well as politically during the period ahead.

- Even under current difficult conditions, our cooperation with Iraq as a whole is expanding.

- This is another reason why Turkey has a crucial stake in a truly united and strong Iraq.