DEFENCE MINISTER DID NOT EXCLUDE THAT ANKARA MAY RESTRICT U.S. FLIGHTS FROM INCIRLIK AIRBASE

07.10.2000, MEDIAMAX, YEREVAN. The Turkish Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu said that in case the Armenian resolution is passed by the House of Representatives Turkey may start reviewing its military contracts reached with the U.S.
According to the information spread by Anatolian agency the Turkish Defence Minister also said that the U.S. flights from Incirlik airbase may be restricted. At the same time Cakmakoglu stressed that “Closing Incirlik to the U.S. flights is rather a radical approach”.
The U.S. and Britain use the Incirlik air base in southern Turkey to patrol a no-fly zone over northern Iraq. The mandate of the mission, known as Operation Northern Watch, ends December 30. A statement issued by the leaders of the five political parties represented in the Parliament said “It is obvious that the Turkish parliament will review the extension of Northern Watch in line with the changing situation”.–0–