NATO Chief Starts Turkey Visit

A handout picture released by NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) shows NATO's new secretary general, Anders Fogh Rasmussen attending media as he leaves for Brussels at Kabul Airport, Afghanistan, 07 August 2009. Photo by EPA/BGNES

NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen starts on Thursday a two-day visit to NATO member Turkey.

Ankara had opposed the former Danish prime minister's candidacy over his vehement defence of a Danish newspaper's decision to publish satirical cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed in 2005 that sparked anger among Muslims across the world.

Rasmussen has declared his opinion, which is harmonious with Barrack Obama's new strategy, saying: "I want to come to an understanding with Islamic countries".

Rasmussen is expected to meet President Abdullah Gül, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ErdoДџan and Chief of General Staff Д°lker BaЕџbuДџ.

Afghanistan will top the agenda of the visit with Turkey taking over the commandment of the International Security Assistance Force in NATO again. Other subjects on the agenda are the pirates in Somali and the situation in Iraq.

Talking to the local press ahead of the visit, Rasmussen said Turkey should expand the mandate of its troops in Afghanistan and play a bigger part in the fight against terrorism.

"Of course it is up to the (NATO) allies to decide how they contribute" to operations in Afghanistan, Anders Fogh Rasmussen said in an interview with the Milliyet newspaper. But sending combat troops to the country would be welcome.

"It would be met with great satisfaction," he said.

Turkey has deployed some 730 infantry soldiers to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) but their mission is restricted to the capital Kabul and its surrounds.

Turkey, a Muslim member of NATO, has indicated that it might increase its military contingent in Afghanistan, but only if they remain in Kabul.

 

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