ACTIVITIES OF SECRETARY-GENERAL IN TURKEY, 5 - 6 SEPTEMBER
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan arrived in Ankara, Turkey, from Alexandria, Egypt, in the early evening of Tuesday, 5 September.
On Wednesday morning, he held talks with Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul. Dr. Gul officially informed the Secretary-General of Turkey’s decision to contribute troops to an enhanced international force in Southern Lebanon, UNIFIL: “As a responsible member of the international community and a regional country, we have decided to contribute to peace and stability in Lebanon”, he said. Turkey would also make its ports and airports available for the logistical needs of UNIFIL, as well as offering training to the Lebanese Armed Forces. In addition, Turkey would provide troops to the naval force and air-lifting capabilities as needed.
The Secretary-General expressed his appreciation to the Foreign Minister, saying he knew it was not an easy decision for countries to send their troops beyond their borders; it was a “bold and noble decision”, added.
They agreed it was now important to move forward on reaching a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the region, in particular resolving the root cause of the crisis in the Middle East: the Palestinian problem.
The Secretary-General reviewed his efforts to lift the Israeli air, sea and land blockade on Lebanon and to secure the release of the abducted Israeli soldiers and other prisoners. (An announcement was made later in the day that Israel had agreed to lift the blockade. See Press Release SG/SM/10616.) They also discussed Iraq and Cyprus.
The Secretary-General then met with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan who welcomed the Secretary-General’s visit to Turkey and said it came at a very important and sensitive time. He said events in Lebanon and the Occupied Palestinian Territory “had kept us very busy”. The Prime Minister confirmed Turkey’s decision to contribute troops to the enhanced UNIFIL and asked the United Nations to elaborate on the exact requirements it needed from Turkey. The Secretary-General suggested that a team from Turkey go to New York to discuss all requirements with the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, to which the Prime Minister agreed. Messrs. Annan and Erdogan went on to discuss political developments and the humanitarian crisis in Darfur.
In a press conference following their meeting, the Secretary-General praised Turkey’s decision to join the expanded UNIFIL, saying that its contribution was “a sign of international solidarity”.
Prime Minister Erdogan then hosted a working lunch for the Secretary-General and his delegation. Foreign Minister Gul attended.
After lunch, the Secretary-General met the President of Turkey, Ahmed Necdet Sezer. They discussed implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 (2006) and the role of Turkey in the enhanced UNIFIL. They agreed that it was now crucial to reactivate the search for a comprehensive peace in the region. Their talks also touched upon Cyprus. In addition, the Prime Minister referred to the importance of strengthening the United Nations and said he was in favour of the reform process.
At 4:30 p.m., the Secretary-General and his delegation left Ankara for Madrid, Spain, where they arrived at 8 p.m.