Turkey: Iraqi Vice President Says Iraq Should Be Given Chance to Curb Terrorism

Oct 17, 06:32 AM

Current Headlines: Text of report by Turkish commercial NTV television on 17 October

The authorization bill that would empower the government to launch cross-border operation is to be voted upon in the parliament today.

Ahead of the voting, Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi made an important statement. Hashimi, who has been having contacts in the capital since yesterday, declared that he got what he wanted from Ankara.

When asked by journalists before his departure from Turkey if he managed to convince Turkey against unilateral action on the issue of the cross-border operation, Hashimi said: This is a sensitive issue. Turkey has the legitimate right to pursue terrorists as long as attacks threatening the national security continue. But, before that, the Iraqi government has to stop such activities.

The Iraqi Vice President also said that Turkey should recognize the Iraqi government a chance [to curb terrorism].

In the meantime, there was activity this morning in the Foreign Ministry. Foreign ambassadors in Ankara were invited to the ministry early morning and briefed about the authorization bill to be voted upon today. Turkey's Special Envoy to Iraq Oguz Celikkol and Foreign Ministry Security Affairs Director Hayati Guven explained the ambassadors the reasons for seeking the authorization bill.

Originally published by NTV television, Istanbul, in Turkish 0900 17 Oct 07.

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