'We'll not Permit Other Countries to Handle our Security'

Turkey will take the necessary measures to not permit any other country to handle its security, said Namik Tan, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman.

Tan's weekly news briefing touched upon the Turkish military's preparations along the Eastern and Southeastern borders of Turkey.

 

By Zaman, Ankara
Published: Thursday, May 04, 2006
zaman.com

 

The Iraqi administration issued a statement over its inability to take effective precautions against the terror organization PKK (Kurdish Workers' Party), said Tan, adding that other neighboring countries have to undertake further precautions under those circumstances.

Preparations at present do not differ from those that were made in previous years, Tan reminded journalists. "We do not want to take advantage of existing holes in the security of Iraq."

Asked whether there is an exchange of intelligence between Iran and Turkey, as Iran is taking military action against PKK along its border with Iraq, Tan said that Turkey is cooperating with Iran to ensure border security; security that covers actions against drug smuggling, organized crime and the infiltration of terrorists into the country.

Each country handles its own security, "It is impossible to let somebody else take care of our security," the spokesman said.

Asked whether Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was influenced by calls from Israel and the United States to not meet in Baku with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Tan said Turkish officials do not think or behave in a way inculcated or suggested by other countries.

"We can make visits of any kind to meet with anyone if we deem them necessary."

Asked to comment on the possibility of a message to be delivered to the Iranian Supreme National Security Council Secretary-General Ali Larijani during his visit to Ankara, Tan said Iran's primary responsibilities are to become "open and transparent."