U.S. Secretary Of State Powell Due To Ankara

WASHINGTON - U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell will go to Brussels and Ankara within the framework of a visit that will start on Tuesday.
Although the U.S. State Department did not make an official statement, the U.S. State Department sources told A.A correspondent that Powell would visit Brussels and Ankara.
GUL: POWELL'S VISIT TO TURKEY WAS A NATURAL VISIT BETWEEN TWO ALLY COUNTRIES
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said that the visit that U.S. State Secretary Colin Powell would pay to Turkey was a natural visit between two ally countries.
Replying to questions of reporters, Gul confirmed that Powell would visit Turkey and said that there could not be anything more natural than mutual visits paid between two ally countries.
Upon another question, Gul noted that Powell's visit would not affect his tour to Cyprus scheduled for Thursday.
Meanwhile, sources said that Powell would pay a working visit to Ankara on Wednesday.
Powell will hold contacts in Brussels before his visit to Turkey.
U.S. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said on Monday that Powell, who would set off on Tuesday, would firstly visit Turkey and then Belgium.
Powell would return to the United States on April 3, Boucher added.
(BRC) 31.03.2003