ANKARA - Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul denied news stories alleging that the United States had new military demands from Turkey.
Replying to questions of journalists about news stories claiming that U.S. President George W. Bush would convey a list of new military demands during his visit to Ankara, Gul said, ''there were no demands from the United States, nor any initiatives were taken on this end.''
Upon a question about the Defense and Economic Cooperation Agreement between Turkey and the United States, Gul said that any initiative to review the agreement was out of question.
There were some news stories in today's press alleging that the United States sought to benefit from all strategic opportunities of Turkey and planned to demand deployment of 18 thousand soldiers and opening of new military bases in Turkey.
When asked whether today's explosion near Ankara's Hilton Hotel would affect U.S. President Bush's scheduled visit to Turkey, Gul said, ''Turkey is a powerful and secure country. Such explosion can take place anywhere in the world even in London and Washington D.C. All kinds of security measures have been taken for President Bush's visit and NATO Summit.''
(UK-AÖ) 24.06.2004