PM ERDOGAN: “TURKEY HAS NO INTENTION OF INVADING NORTHERN IRAQ”
In an interview published in German newspaper Bild am Sonntag yesterday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey had no intention of invading northern Iraq. “We have no hidden designs on the region,” said Erdogan. Stressing that Turkey had a long history of friendly relations with the Iraqi nation, the prime minister said there was no problem between the two nations. “However, recent developments in Iraq have worried us,” stated Erdogan. He added that like the rest of the international community, Turkey also favored a democratic regime in Iraq in the aftermath of the current war. /All Papers/
GUL: “THE AKP GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN THE NEEDED MEASURES TO AVERT A WAR-RELATED ECONOMIC CRISIS”
Thanks to the policies and actions of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government, Turkey has avoided facing an economic crisis stemming from the war in Iraq, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul declared yesterday. “Even in the midst of war, a possible crisis has been averted, because our government took the necessary measures,” said Gul. “The importance of these measures is pivotal.” Gul added that Turkey’s stance on the war in Iraq was clear. /Milliyet/
IRANI FM KHARRAZI: “WE OPPOSE TURKEY SENDING TROOPS INTO NORTHERN IRAQ”
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi urged Turkey not to send its forces into northern Iraq, stressing that Tehran was opposed to any such move. “We understand and share Turkey’s concerns but would not approve of Turkish troops entering Iraq,” said Kharazi, whose country shares a border with both nations. “We are obviously worried and we have told our friends not to dispatch their forces.” Kharazi added that Iran was concerned that northern Iraq’s Kurds might try to take opportunity of the current war to seize the oil-rich city of Kirkuk, something which Turkey has also declared its opposition to. /Aksam/
GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER: “IF SADDAM ATTACKS TURKEY, HE ATTACKS NATO AS WELL”
Should Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein launch an attack on Turkey then he is also attacking the entire NATO alliance, declared Greek Defense Miister Yiannos Papantoniou yesterday. Speaking to Greek daily To Vima yesterday, Papantoniou also however criticized Turkey’s policy on northern Iraq, calling it “irresponsible.” Papantoniou’s latter remarks echoed his comments of early last week, warning that Turkish forces could “lead to further conflict in the region” and redrawn borders which, citing the former Yugoslavia, he said must be avoided. Turkey has emphasized repeatedly in recent days that it would enter northern Iraq only to deliver humanitarian aid and military and. /Hurriyet, Aksam /
ISTANBUL HOSTING SEMINAR ON TERRORISM
A seminar entitled “Terrorism: A Threat to Regional Stability” sponsored by the Regional Arms Control and Verification and Implementation Assistance Center (RACVIAC) is set to begin in Istanbul today. The aim of the four-day conference is promote understanding of the basic issues of modern terrorism, especially in the region of southeastern Europe, and to provide a realistic basis for developing the most effective strategy for its prevention and elimination. Some 56 participants from 20 member countries and international organizations as well as non-governmental organizations (NGOs) were invited to the seminar. /Cumhuriyet/
20TH INTERNATIONAL ANKARA MUSIC FESTIVAL TO BEGIN TODAY
The monthlong 20th International Ankara Music Festival is set to begin today. The festival organized by the Sevda-Cenap And Music Foundation will stage performances of a host of internationally renowned musicians through April 26. /Turkiye/
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION