Ministry Of Foreign Affairs Harshly Condemns Attack In Baghdad

ANKARA - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs harshly condemned the explosion in front of the United Nations headquarters in Iraqi capital Baghdad on Tuesday.
Releasing a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the attack as an act of terrorism stressing, ''those who have been trying to prevent settlement of stability in Iraq and in the region, targeted the whole international community in the United Nations this time.''
''Turkey harshly condemns this act of terrorism,'' it emphasized.
The Ministry implored God's strength upon relatives of United Nations staff who lost their lives in the attack, and offered condolences.
It recalled that Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul sent a message to United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan on behalf of the government and expressed his profound sorrow.
''Turkey believes that this brutal attack would lead the international community to cooperate in settlement of peace and stability in Iraq as soon as possible. Turkey is determined to make contribution to reach this target,'' the statement added.

GUL SENDS A MESSAGE TO UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY GENERAL ANNAN
Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul sent a message to United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan on Tuesday following the explosion at the United Nations Headquarters in Iraqi capital Baghdad.
Sending the message on behalf of the government, Gul described the attack as an ''terrorist attack'' and condemned it.
Gul expressed his profound sorrow over the attack.
He also imposed God's strength upon all who are grieving for their beloved ones, and offered his condolences.
(UK) 19.08.2003