Ozkok: War Ships Can Sail In Territorial Waters Without Any Military Purpose Like Commercial Ships

ANKARA - Turkish General Staff Chief General Hilmi Ozkok has said, ''an addition was made to the arrangements in United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan on Cyprus. According to the addition, war ships sailing in the territorial waters of Cyprus should get permission. It is unacceptable.''
General Ozkok replied to questions of journalists at the reception hosted by Turkish Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc to mark the 84th anniversary of foundation of the Turkish parliament on Saturday.
When asked whether the General Staff had information about arrangements in the Annan Plan about territorial waters of Cyprus, General Ozkok said, ''it is a matter of timing of information. During the press conference we held earlier, I said that federal laws were of great importance in regard to the new order in Cyprus. I also noted that international conventions should be reviewed and adjusted to a lasting and fair order. This law is one of them.''
''It is not the matter of territorial waters. Transit passage or harmless passage of war ships from territorial waters is in question. According to the international maritime practices, war ships can sail in territorial waters without any military purpose like commercial ships. It is valid in the Aegean Sea. However, an article was added to the law against the international practices. It is unacceptable for all countries since it prevents free movement of ships more or less,'' General Ozkok added.
(UK) 24.04.2004