RECALLED AMBASSADOR RETURNS TO US, SEES POSITIVE PROSPECTS

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
Oct 22 2007

The Turkish ambassador to the US is to return to Washington, D.C.,
after being recalled to Ankara as part of Turkish reactions to a
vote on a controversial resolution at a US congressional committee;
before his departure he expressed cautious optimism that the "Armenian
resolution" issue would be resolved.

Turkish Ambassador to the United States Nabi Þensoy, who had been
recalled to Ankara "for political consultations" over the so-called
Armenian resolution after its passage at the US House Committee on
Foreign Affairs, answered reporters’ questions in the VIP hall of
Ataturk Airport in Ýstanbul before flying to New York.

Noting that he had been recalled to Turkey by the government and had
talks in Ankara for nine days, Þensoy stated that met with President
Abdullah Gul, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoðan, Parliament Speaker
Koksal Toptan, Foreign Minister Ali Babacan and high-ranking officials
from the parliamentary Foreign Affairs Commission, providing them
with information on the current state of affairs and participating
in several activities at the Foreign Ministry.

"After nine days I am now returning to my post. I think the time I
was in Ankara is a good message that shows the disappointment Turkey
felt with respect to the passage of resolution No. 106 in the US
House committee. Now I am going back to Washington to follow up on
developments not only on this issue but also on other issues. The
talks I had in Turkey were very useful. I will continue to promote
Turkish-US relations," he said.

When Þensoy was asked what his attempts will be with regards to
terrorism and the related issue of northern Iraq, the ambassador
said: "The Foreign Ministry and the government will take necessary
measures. I will act in accordance with my instructions."

Regarding the message he will convey to US officials, Þensoy said:
"My most important message will be to explain the great disappointment
and frustration that the developments over the Armenian resolution
caused among the Turkish people. I will convey the sensitivities
of Mr. President and the government officials to them once again. I
will tell them of Turkey’s expectations and the serious troubles that
any further move in this process will cause in Turkish-US and other
relations. I hope that such warnings will not be needed. Indeed,
as far as I see, there has been a reversal of the wind. I expect
this issue will not be taken any further." Following these remarks,
Þensoy flew to New York on a scheduled Turkish Airlines (THY) fight.

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