JOINT COMMAND CENTER IN ARBIL BEING IMPLEMENTED SLOWLY- TURKISH FM

Hurriyet
Feb 18 2009
Turkey

The planned formation of a joint command center in Arbil against
terrorism is slowly being implemented with the participation of
Turkey, Iraq and the United States, Turkish Foreign Minister Ali
Babacan said Wednesday.

Turkey, Iraq and the U.S. have decided to form a joint committee in
the northern Iraqi city of Arbil to combat the PKK, which launches
cross-border attacks on Turkey from bases in the neighboring country,
as part of efforts to boost cooperation against the terrorists.

Babacan told the Anatolian Agency in Yemeni capital, Sana’a that he
believes that the role of this office should not be exaggerated.

He added that the goal of the trilateral mechanism is to facilitate
intelligence sharing and the coordination of military operations.

"When we talk about Iraq, we are aware that the north of the country
is an actual part of Iraq and, as such, the office in Arbil is part
of this understanding," he also said.

GAZA MECHANISM

Babacan also told Anatolian Agency that Yemen wants the establishment
of a new mechanism for Gaza with the participation of Turkey, Egypt
and Syria.

Yemen has made proposals to bring together diverse Palestinian groups,
he said, adding there is no certainty as to how the groups would be
brought together.

He also said there could be developments soon for a permanent ceasefire
in Gaza.

ARMENIA ISSUE

Babacan also said he was invited to a meeting of the Black Sea
Economic Cooperation organization in Yerevan, Armenia in April and
that he has not yet decided whether he would attend or not.

The Turkish foreign minister departed from Yemen for Bahrain later
on Wednesday after concluding his talks in Sana’a. He met Yemeni the
president, prime minister, parliament speaker and foreign minister
during his two-day visit to the country’s capital.