TURKISH PRESS: "Ankara will ''very clearly'' state to Jones that it is against any operation toward Iraq."
turkishpress.com
U.S. Assistant Secretary Of State Jones In Ankara
ANKARA - Elizabeth Jones, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs, arrived in Ankara on Sunday to hold contacts. Iraq constitutes the most important agenda item of the talks during her visit to Ankara.
Ankara will ''very clearly'' state to Jones that it is against any operation toward Iraq. Jones is expected to hold contacts in Foreign Ministry on Monday and meet Foreign Minister Sukru Sina Gurel, Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal and deputy undersecretaries Ali Tuygan, Baki Ilkin, Alev Kilic, Nabi Sensoy and Akin Alptuna.
After participation in a lunch which Ilkin will host in her honor, Jones will meet Deputy Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit.
Jones is expected to depart from Ankara early on Tuesday.
Ankara is expected to convey the following concerns in case of a probable operation against Iraq.
-Oil prices continuously increase,
-Foreign investors in the country may escape,
-Tourism facilities will start to book reservations after three months. Tourism will be devastated if the reservations are cancelled.
-Domestic economic balance will be disrupted.
-Border trade with regional countries will be damaged. Not only Turkey but also all the regional countries will be negatively effected by this.
Ankara, after conveying all those concrete concepts, is expected to stress that Turkey's losses in this respect should be compensated.
Ankara will also make the warning that any operation against Iraq will put the United States into a difficult situation with respect to legitimacy before the U.N. weapon inspectors prepare their report.
Anadolu Agency 9/29/2002 6:46:38 PM |
