Speaking of Turkey's incursion into N. Iraq prematureJune 4, 2007 - 17:40 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The domestic situation in Turkey is tensed. Suppositions of possible incursion into Iraq are heard more and more frequently, director of the institute of oriental studies, doctor Ruben Safrastyan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.The Turkish general staff supports the idea of intrusion while the government led by the Justice and Development Party (AKP) stands against military operations yet, according to him. "Before the terrorist acts in Ankara the AKP was very cautious of the military's plans. Now, fearing to lose the votes, Erdogan's party backs a campaign against Kurds," Safrastyan said. However, he underscored, the problem has a foreign policy coloring as well. "The U.S. does not officially OK the military operation, nevertheless, authority in N. Iraq was delegated to the Kurdish administration and withdrawal of troops has been already launched. The Turkish general staff can provoke an incident for incursion but it's premature to give exact forecasts," he said reminding of concentration military equipment and personnel at the Turkish-Iraqi border. Top stories 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". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |