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Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said on Wednesday his country's troop presence in northern Iraqis for preserving stability in the region.
Gul, who is also Turkish deputy prime minister, made the remark while addressing the Turkish parliament.
He termed Turkish armed forces as "distinguished and capable of helping bring about peace," adding that foreign assessment of the question is "exaggerated" and does not tally with Turkish intentions.
Also on Wednesday, Turkish Army Chief Hilmi Ozkok said his army has no intention to take part in the ongoing war against Iraq nor to occupy northern Iraq by reinforcement into the region. Turkey would decide to send more troops into northern Iraq, he said, adding that Turkey would coordinate with the United States to avoid any misunderstanding.
Despite stubborn opposition from Washington and warnings by the European Union and NATO, Turkey has insisted it will send troops into northern Iraq if it deems it necessary.
Turkey is concerned over possible moves by Iraqi Kurds to assert independence, a prospect that could reignite a separatist Kurdish rebellion in adjoining southeastern Turkey.
(Xinhua News Agency March 27, 2003)
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