Turkey: Ankara Awaits Iraqi Tribal Leaders

Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Gul received Iraqi businessmen at the Foreign Ministry Residence last night. Saying two countries had lots of common interests, Gul said Turkey would do its best to assist Iraq’s normalization process.

Iraqi temporary governing council representatives are also expected in Ankara. The United Nations (UN) Security Council resolution 1500, had welcomed the establishment of the council as an important step towards the formation an internationally recognized, representative government.

Justice and Development Party (AKP) deputies Turhan Comez and Cevdet Erdol were in Iraq yesterday for contacts regarding troop deployment. A delegation of ministry of foreign affairs, the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) and general staff, led by former Bagdat (Baghdad) Ambassador Selim Karaosmanoglu will also visit Iraq.

Making a statement at Habur before leaving for Iraq, Comez said he was pleased with what he had seen and that the groundwork had been lain for future policies. He added that as soon as protocol and project adaptation work were completed, construction on hospitals in Baghdad and Kerkuk (Kirkuk) would start. The two deputies, Red Crescent personnel, businessmen, and technical staff arrived in Baghdad yesterday evening.