ANKARA - U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Richard Myers arrived in Ankara late on Sunday to hold a series of contacts.
Fourth Army Corps Commander General Kemal Yilmaz welcomed General Myers and accompanying delegation at Ankara's Esenboga Airport.
Under his contacts in Turkey, General Myers first visited Incirlik Air Base in southern province of Adana.
General Myers is expected to depart from Turkey on Monday after holding contacts at the General Staff and the Ministry of National Defense.
During a press conference in Italian capital Rome on Saturday, General Myers who has been serving as the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff since October 1, 2001, said that his visit to Turkey had been scheduled long ago, and noted that his visit to Turkey was not related with the recent developments in the region.
Describing Turkey as a real ally of the United States, General Myers recalled that Turkey and the United States had been cooperating in fight against terrorism.
General Myers refrained from responding questions whether or not the United States would make special requests from Turkey.
MYERS MEETS WITH GENERAL OZKOK
U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Richard Myers came together with General Staff Chief General Hilmi Ozkok at a dinner late on Sunday.
General Myers who came to Ankara as the official guest of General Ozkok, partook at the dinner hosted in his honor by General Ozkok.
U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Robert Pearson was also in attendance at the dinner which lasted for about 2.5 hours.
General Myers is expected to depart from Turkey on Monday after holding contacts at the General Staff and the Ministry of National Defense.
VISITS ANITKABIR
Myers visited on Monday Anitkabir, the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the Founder of Turkish Republic.
Myers laid a wreath on the Mausoleum of Ataturk and observed a minute of silence. Then, he signed Anitkabir Special Book.
Myers and accompanying delegation visited Anitkabir Special Museum and received information from officials.
Gen. Myers is expected to depart from Turkey after wrapping up his contacts in Ankara.
GENERAL MYERS MEETS WITH GENERAL OZKOK
Myers met on Monday with General Staff Chief General Hilmi Ozkok.
The tete-a-tete meeting between General Ozkok and General Myers was closed to the press.
Myers on Monday visited National Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul.
Speaking before the meeting, Gonul said they hosted an important representative of friendly and ally United States.
Pointing out that Myers paid a visit of courtesy, Gonul said they did not have any agenda.
General Myers in his part stated that they were pleased over being in Turkey, noting that they attributed a special importance to relations with Turkey. He said Iraqi problem was on the agenda of the international public, yet stressed that the issue concerned the regional countries more.
The U.S. Ambassador in Ankara Robert Pearson participated in the meeting.
Meanwhile, General Staff General Secretariat issued a statement and said Turkish-U.S. military relations, defense industry projects and regional developments were discussed during the meeting between Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok and Myers.