Gul: No military intervention can succeed without revealing a political strategy

Turkish President Abdullah Gul said, " I don't believe any military intervention without putting forward a political strategy would achieve result", also stating not responding to the chemical attack in Syria cannot be thought.   President Gul spoke at the reception given in Cankaya Presidential Palace on the 91st anniversary of August 30 Victory Day, the day which marks Turkish victory over Greek forces in the War of Independence, and answered questions of reporters. Asked about the statements of US Secretary of State John Kerry, whether a military intervention was expected and how an international unity could be provided, Gul said that Turkey's priority was its national interests, which are 'stability, security and peace'. Some neighboring countries burned themselves out, which is a shame and this issue completely resulted from improvidence and wrong policies of the leaders, said Gul, adding "There are hundreds of thousands of life losses in neighboring countries, and we have a chaos which will last for a while and maybe great limbo in following process. That's why, we should consider these issues and keep in mind."   Noting the international community could not put forward a strategy concerning Syrian issue from the beginning, the President also added: "An exit strategy is needed for Syria in order to get out of this chaos, which is the key flaw. No one could properly reveal this issue. That the international community stands silent against the chemical attack in Syria cannot be accepted, it cannot be left unanswered. Human conscious won't approve such an unanswered attack. Secondly, deterrence may completely disappear and so everyone begins to use these weapons. That's why, there should absolutely be a response against such an incident."  Stating that statements about a potential military intervention in Syria were released, moreover, the strategies of the intervention was even explicitly spoken, Gul said, "It becomes a case which everyone can easily see about what will happen". Reiterating no military intervention without putting forward a political strategy would achieve a result, Gul also said, "Policy and diplomacy will again be solutions of these affairs. Instead of all these interventions, it is essential to meet in Geneva and compel the policy and diplomacy channels. My opinion is that Russia and Iran should be engaged in these affairs as well. Remember that I have already expressed this issue in Foreign Affairs Magazine."      Upon a question asking whether Gul believed this crisis would be solved before it reached an intervention, the President answered, "Use of chemical weapons cannot be left unanswered. In absence of a deterrent action, everyone can do the same thing again. However, all these issues should be solved within the frame of a political strategy." Remember that terrorism continued in the region, only in Iraq about 1,500 people died during Ramadan month, which was a shame, said Gul, adding "What is important for Turkey is the stability and peace of the region. Turkey's contribution is inevitable in terms of being amid such a political strategy." Talking over whether a need for parliamentary resolution appears in a potential military intervention, President Abdullah Gul said, "The available parliamentary resolution's limits are certain. In case of a need beyond that one, a new resolution can absolutely be released. Turkey will act according to the developments in which it is involved." Upon the question "In your opinion, did Assad hold the chemical attack?", Gul said, "We follow the developments, too. Of course, Turkish foreign ministry is in communication, negotiation. Turkey is not out of these developments, of course. Everyone knows that." Asked whether the mentioned political strategy included regime shuffle or not, Gul answered, "The US President clearly says, 'We don't have such an intention'." In addition, upon a question asking whether an intervention without a resolution from UN and NATO, just with that of "volunteers' coalition" would be legitimate, Gul answered, "There was not a resolution in case of Kosovo. These are subjects of big arguments. This affair has a legal side and a legitimate side. It has a legitimacy. Once a flaw appears in a legal system, it is essential to establish the legitimacy on sound foundations, which is more precise." Stating that acting with the widest consensus would be precise, Gul also said, "It can sometimes be impossible. I wish that this issue is solved within the frame of UN Security Council. If a resolution is not made there, it will be inevitable to take some protective actions."