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The Turkish government said on Monday it is determined to deploy forces in northern Iraq.
The decision emanates from the Turkish will, said Justice Minister Cemil Cicek.
Turkey only allowed the United States to use its airspace, but would not take part in the war on Iraq, he said.
Turkey is to send forces to northern Iraq to stop the influx of Iraqi refugees, he clarified.
Cicek reiterated the stand that Turkey is keen on preserving Iraq's sovereignty, stressing that Iraq's resources belong to all the Iraqi people.
US President George Bush recently said he had made it clear to Turkey that its troops must unilaterally enter northern Iraq.
Meanwhile, Turkish media said Chief of Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkuk on Tuesday will visit units of the second field army positioned along the border with Iraq.
The visit may herald the quick troop deployment in northern Iraq by the second field army, observers here said.
(Xinhua News Agency March 24, 2003)
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