Turkey says downed jet not a warplane June 23, 2012 - 15:39 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said Saturday, June 23 a jet that was shot down by Syria a day earlier was not a warplane but a reconnaissance aircraft, Hurriyet Daily News reported citing state-run television TRT. It was not immediately clear where Arinc, who is also the government's spokesman, was speaking. Turkish media said the downed jet was an F-4 Phantom, a supersonic jet fighter which can also carry out reconnaissance operations. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu held a meeting with commanders and the head of the intelligence service to discuss what steps Turkey would take after Syria shot down one of its military aircraft, media reported. The meeting lasted two hours and was attended by the military's deputy chief of staff, senior military commanders and the head of the National Intelligence Agency, who also discussed the search operation for the missing pilots, media reported citing the Foreign Ministry. They gave no further details, HDN says.   Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot".   Partner news |  Latest news Power of One Dram sums up two-year program with Teach for Armenia  Idram Junior also joined the companies during the visit, bringing with it a fascinating intellectual game for childrenMoscow slams EU mission in Armenia for “provocative activity” The EU mission is doing more and more against Armenia’s neighbors Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran, Mikhail Galuzin said.Yerevan Mayor to travel to Paris on May 15-19 The official delegation headed by Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan will travel to Paris from May 15 to 19.Armenia, India hold first defense consultations The meeting was attended by Indian Ambassador Nilakshi Saha Sinha and Defense Attaché Brigadier General Naveen Nijhawan. |
