TURKISH GENERAL SAYS MILITARY TIES WITH FRANCE "SUSPENDED"

Anatolia News Agency, Turkey
Nov 15 2006

Ankara, 15 November: "Our military relations with France have been
suspended after the French national assembly approved the bill on
so-called Armenian genocide," said Turkish Land Forces Commander Gen.
Ilker Basbug on Wednesday [15 November].

Tamer Gazioglu, Ambassador of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
(TRNC) to Turkey, hosted a reception in Ankara on the occasion of
the 23rd anniversary of foundation of the TRNC.

Replying to questions of journalists during the reception, Gen.

Basbug said: "Our military relations with France have been suspended
after the French national assembly approved the bill on so-called
Armenian genocide. Also, high-level visits do not take place between
the two countries."

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul
said in his part: "Recent economic developments in the TRNC are quite
pleasing. Those, who are interested in the Cyprus issue, need to talk
to President Mehmet Ali Talat of the TRNC now. We hope that the best
solution proposals will be made by taking into consideration the
facts on the island."