Ali Babacan: US may need Turkey to withdraw troops from IraqMarch 17, 2009 - 01:27 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said on Monday that the United States earlier told Turkey that it might need Turkey in general sense while withdrawing troops from Iraq, the Hurriyet Daily News reports. Babacan said the United States has not yet made plans about the number of soldiers and the route it would withdraw the troops, adding that it would inform Turkey about its plans and Turkey would make assessments about it."Iraqi people supports withdrawal of the U.S. soldiers and they want this to take place soon," Babacan said and noted that Iraq had given a signal to Turkey to assist this. He said Turkey would of course consider its own conditions on the matter. Commenting on scheduled visit of U.S. President Barack Obama to Turkey next month, Babacan said this was a result of the positive impact of Turkey's influence both in the region and in the world. About the agenda of the meeting with Obama, Babacan said Afghanistan-Pakistan, developments in the Middle East, Iran, the Caucasus, Balkans, Cyprus, Armenia, as well as Iraq would be discussed during the talks. In March 2003, Turkish parliament rejected to allow U.S. troops to invade Iraq from Turkish territory. 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. |