Turkey blocks Europe's candidate to head NATO

April 4, 2009 - 12:09 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey fired a broadside against Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen's bid to head NATO as U.S. President Barack Obama and allied leaders gathered for a 60th anniversary summit on Friday.



Rasmussen, strongly backed by the main European powers and supported by the United States, told his cabinet on Friday morning he was a formal candidate for the post of NATO secretary-general, held by Dutch diplomat Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.



Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan later criticized the Danish leader's handling of a 2006 crisis over cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad in a Danish newspaper, and questioned whether he could contribute to peace with the Muslim world.



Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, seen as the likeliest candidate to replace Jaap de Hoop Scheffer as NATO secretary-general Aug. 1, infuriated some Muslims by speaking out in favor of freedom of speech during an uproar over Danish publication of cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad in 2006. He has also angered Turkey by opposing its membership in the European Union.



Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, leader of the Islamic-rooted ruling party, told NTV television in an interview late Friday that he had spoken to Fogh Rasmussen and informed him about opposition to his candidacy. "We don't want NATO to be damaged and we don't think it is right that you as prime minister should be damaged in this process," Erdogan said he told Fogh Rasmussen. He did not say when the conversation took place.



Turkish President Abdullah Gul had said Friday that Ankara had nothing against Fogh Rasmussen and described him as "one of the most successful prime ministers" in Europe, Reuters reports.
 Top stories
Azerbaijan admits death of 192 soldiers in Karabakh offensiveAzerbaijan admits death of 192 soldiers in Karabakh offensive
Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive.
Azerbaijan increasing defense spending for 2023 by $650 millionAzerbaijan increasing defense spending for 2023 by $650 million
In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million).
Moscow could recognize those who speak Russian as Moscow could recognize those who speak Russian as "compatriots"
The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot".
Magnitude 5.6 quake causes damages in IranMagnitude 5.6 quake causes damages in Iran
The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.
Partner news
 Articles
Compassion is key, no matter what

An Italian photojournalist’s journey through the pandemic

 Most popular in the section
Global toll of mysterious hepatitis in children rises to 650 cases
Monkeypox does not pose a Covid-style risk, top health execs say
Sinjar becomes latest flashpoint for Iran-Turkey tensions in Iraq
Turkey-Syria earthquake death toll passes 15,000
Home
All news
Overview: Armenia and world
Archive for April 4, 2009
Other news in this section
  Related sections
World
 Latest news
Viva-MTS: Tech solutions to modernize infrastructure of border village The border village has been the focus of Viva-MTS and the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Values since 2015.
Ucom's fixed network launched in Artashat To mark this occasion, the company has introduced a special offer exclusively for Artashat residents.
“By Your Side”: IDBank's new support program for displaced Artsakh citizens IDBank is launching a long-term social support program for forcibly displaced Artsakh residents.
The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization.
---