TAN: ANNAN THANKED TURKISH AUTHORITIES
Turkish Press, MI
Sept 11 2006
ANKARA – "United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan thanked the
Turkish authorities for contributing troops to the expanded United
Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)," said Namik Tan, spokesman
for the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Wednesday.
Speaking at the weekly press briefing, Tan said that technical details
were not discussed during Annan’s meetings with Turkish officials.
"Relevant authorities will start working on technical details in
the coming days. Then, we will hold a series of talks with the United
Nations. After necessary arrangements are made, the conditions on which
Turkish soldiers join the expanded UNIFIL, will be clarified," he said.
"The Turkish party expressed its sensitivities to Annan about mandate
of the peacekeeping force. Annan told us that he understood our
perspective. He also indicated that the force would not be involved
in disarmament of the Hezbollah. Annan noted that the United Nation’s
resolution created the necessary legitimacy," he said.
-CYPRUS-
Upon a question about the Cyprus issue, Tan told reporters, "Turkey’s
views are already known. We are in favor of finding a comprehensive
solution to the Cyprus issue under the good-will office of the United
Nations Secretary-General."
"We attach great importance to lifting of the isolation of Turkish
Cypriots. It will be the most tangible step to be taken for a
comprehensive solution," he said.
-KIRKUK-
Referring to the Kirkuk issue, Tan told reporters, "Turkey has
some expectations from the United Nations about Kirkuk. There have
already been some movements in the region to change the demographic
structure. Earlier, we stressed that those were extremely dangerous
attempts. Such attempts may jeopardize the balance in Iraq."
-EP’S REPORT ON TURKEY DOES NOT MEAN ANYTHING WITH ITS CURRENT SHAPE-
Tan said, "European Parliament’s report on Turkey does not mean
anything for us with its current shape."
Stating that the report included some issues unacceptable for Turkey —
matters regarding so-called Armenian genocide–, Tan said, "we expect
that some baseless and imaginary issues included in the report would
be changed in the following period."
Underlining that the important thing for Turkey was to boost reform
process, Tan stressed, "we will take concrete steps before the EU
releases reports in the following period. We have determination on
this matter. Our government has been working on it."