 Davutoğlu asks Kerry for an explanation over spying claims July 2, 2013 - 14:26 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has said he asked U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry for an explanation regarding claims that U.S. intelligence agencies spied on Turkish diplomats, Today’s Zaman reports. Davutoğlu said the request was made in a “friendly fashion” during a meeting on the sidelines of a regional summit in Brunei. Davutoğlu, who is attending a security forum held in the oil-rich sultanate by the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as a guest nation, met with Kerry on Monday to discuss the latest in a string of claims along with Syria and the stalled Middle East peace process. The Guardian published an article on Sunday, June 30, alleging U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) surveillance of EU offices, citing classified documents provided by whistleblower Edward Snowden. The report said one document lists 38 NSA "targets," including embassies and missions of U.S. allies like France, Italy, Greece, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, India and Turkey. On Monday, Turkish diplomatic sources pledged to study the issue and demand an explanation from Washington if the claims prove true. Davutoğlu said he conveyed Turkey's request for an explanation over the spying claims during the one-hour meeting and added that Turkey wouldn't want to see such incidents between allies. The foreign minister stressed Kerry's pledge to share information the U.S. is planning to gather on the allegations and added that Turkish and U.S. teams would work together during the process. Davutoğlu rejected spying on allies on principle and said Ankara would reassess the situation once it has an explanation from Washington. On Tuesday, Turkish daily Hürriyet reported that Turkey's Embassy in Washington has had no contact U.S. officials regarding the spying claims as of Monday and hadn't searched its facilities for bugs. Hürriyet quoted an official who said the embassy is waiting for an order from Ankara to contact U.S. authorities. The report also said Turkey's National Intelligence Organization (MİT) is working with the Foreign Ministry to investigate the spying allegations.   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. |
