Ankara Denies US-Turkish Ties Undermined over Iraq

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, April 02, 2003

Ankara Denies US-Turkish Ties Undermined over Iraq

Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul has denied that the US-Turkish ties were undermined over the Iraqi crisis, leading Turkish daily Hurriyet (Freedom) said on Wednesday.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul has denied that the US-Turkish ties were undermined over the Iraqi crisis, leading Turkish daily Hurriyet (Freedom) said on Wednesday.

"Some say that the Turkish-US relations have been cut, but this will not happen. There are many things that we will do from now on," the former prime minister said in an interview with the mass-circulation newspaper.

"We don't want Turkish-US relations to be overshadowed. But, they should understand Turkey because we have undergone a democratic process," he said.

The remarks came at a time when US Secretary of State Colin Powell is visiting Ankara in a bid to patch up differences between the two allies regarding Iraq.

Powell, who arrived here Tuesday night for a one-day surprise visit, was expected to discuss with Turkish officials the entry of Turkish troops into northern Iraq and post-war situation.

"As you know, he (Powell) was very much criticized for not coming to Turkey to solve problems between the two countries," Gul said in the interview.

Relations between the two countries have recently deteriorated since the Turkish parliament narrowly rejected a motion last month designed to deploy 62,000 US troops in Turkey to open a northern front in the Iraqi war.

Powell's visit to Turkey came after US and British forces met with stiff resistance from Iraqi troops and militia in southern Iraq.

Defying international opposition, the United States and Britain launched a war against Iraq on March 20 under the pretext of disarming Iraq of weapons of mass destruction.

Iraq has denounced the invaders as "criminals" and "villains," while urging the international community to stop the "aggression" unconditionally.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Powell Asks for Turkish Help in Northern Iraq

>> Full Coverage

Authenticity of Reports Shadowed by Smoke of Gun Powder ( 4 Messages)

China's Z11 Helicopters Get Green Light for Civilian Use ( 20 Messages)

US Publications Make Illegal Debut in China ( 2 Messages)

Kuwait City Struck by a Missile from Unknown Origin ( 4 Messages)

When Will the Humanitarian Disasters End? ( 19 Messages)