Economic Measures Won't Target Iraqi People, Babacan

ANKARA - Turkish FM & Chief Negotiator for EU talks Ali Babacan said on Thursday that target of the economic measures that would be enacted against Iraq would not be Iraqi people. "The measures mainly target terrorist organization, terrorists and elements that assist them," he noted.
Babacan responded to the questions of reporters at a press conference in Ankara in regard to the International Conference on Iraq that will take place in Istanbul.
Asked about the economic measures against Iraq, Babacan said this was discussed in details at the Council of Ministers, indicating that, "the government does not want people living in Turkey and Iraq suffer because of the measures. We aim economic resources of the terrorist organization and elements supporting the organization financially."
"The government works on a list of economic measures targeting terrorism, the terrorist organization itself and its supporters. Some measures have already took effect. Necessary steps will be taken when time comes," Babacan remarked.
Asked to comment on the news reports that (Turkish) airspace was closed to the flights to the north of Iraq, Babacan said scope of the economic measures was very large, indicating that the steps about the measures would not be announced beforehand.
"There were several limitations put in place earlier, particularly on flights to Iraq," Babacan said.
Responding to a question about the International Conference on Iraq to be held in Istanbul and asked whether Iraqi President Jalal Talabani was invited to the conference, Babacan said works continued to determine with whom bilateral talks will be held.
Babacan said Istanbul's meeting would be at the foreign ministers level, indicating that written invitation was sent to the foreign ministers of the related countries.
"EU Commission's member for foreign affairs, Arab League SG, OIC SG, and UN SG are also invited to participate to the conference," he added.
Babacan said Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan would deliver a speech at the opening of the meeting, and stated that President Abdullah Gul would host a lunch for the participants.