Turkey promises swift response

Aljazeera ^ | 11/20/03

[areafiftyone]

Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said Turkey would not "bow to terror" after blasts rocked Istanbul.

The minister vowed swift action from intelligence and security services, insisting everyone must know Ankara would never “give up to terrorism".

Both Interior Minister Abdulkadir Aksu and Justice Minister Cemil Cicek added they believe the three blasts which rocked Istanbul were linked to two explosions that hit the city last Saturday killing 25 people.

Usama bin Ladin's al-Qaida network claimed responsibility for the last blasts, which destroyed two synagogues in Turkey's commercial capital.

British interests targeted

Television and witnesses say at least 15 people died in attacks appeared to target British interests, hitting the British consulate and the HSBC Bank.

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw was quick to condemn the attacks.

"I'm afraid to say it has all the hallmarks of international terrorism practised by al-Qaida and associated organisations," Straw told reporters in Britain's first reaction to the blast.

The attack on British interests in Ankara comes at the same time US President George Bush is visiting Britain.

The White House spokesman, Sean McCormack, said Washington would monitor the situation but has not blamed any organisation as yet.

Shock reaction

The explosions also had an immediate impact on European stock markets.

Reversing early gains, the British FTSE 100 dropped 0.42% to 4309.3 points, while the German DAX 30 and the French CAC 40 fell too.

"The constant threat of global terrorism is always at the back of people's minds. We saw the effect it had after 11 September and I guess people become extremely nervous during these types of events," Henk Potts, analyst at Barclays Stockbrokers, said.

[areafiftyone]

UPDATE ON SKY NEWS SAID NOW 25 PEOPLE DEAD AND NEARLY 400 INJURED!! Prayers going out to the victims and their families.

[verity]

The minister vowed swift action from intelligence and security services, insisting everyone must know Ankara would never “give up to terrorism".

Are there any constitutional impediments to "swift" action?

[chachacha]

Hey Turkey! Do you need any help?

[Prodigal Son]

Another thread says the British Consul General Roger Snow has been killed.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1025572/posts

[Prodigal Son]

Sorry, the name is Roger Short.

[G.Mason]

"Hey Turkey! Do you need any help?"

Yes Turkey ....... Do you?

Well you can get it here .......

Welcome to Help
Use the Help system to learn more about Windows 98.
Find answers to your questions.
Browse the online version of the Getting Started book.

[areafiftyone]

I read that. Its soo sad. It was horrible waking up this morning at 6:00 and seeing the Fox News Alert. I hate these kind of mornings. I feel sooo bad for the people of Turkey.

[Pylot]

It will be interesting to see what Turkey does.

I lived there for one year. It is a wonderful place with wonderful freedom loving people who are very proud and independant.

Now we will see a Muslim answer to Muslim atrocities.

[Walkingfeather]

And this is AFTER turkey refused to allow our troups in.... These people have the same problem that the saudis do. They have some pols that have winked at or snuggled up to some terrorists and used it as a sign of "look at my big brother" Now that they opened the door they are going to take over and they have no one to blame but their own. You watch as soon as they start going after the terrorists( if they do) they will get the crap blown out of their own leaders.

[Kaisersrsic]

I would not get too down on Turkey right now. When the Turkish generals are having coffee with their Israeli counter parts in the Golan Heights, the World will be a much safer place.

[Heatseeker]

Yeah but it would be even better if they had their coffee get-together in Damascus.

[PLK]

Now we will see a Muslim answer to Muslim atrocities.

What about Saudi Arabia? However, I agree this is a different situation - the Saudi's are ruled by a monarchy. This will be interesting.

[CWOJackson]

"Turkey promises swift response"

This title can throw you when you're half paying attention as you browse and half contemplating Thanksgiving.

[Pylot]

You are right about the difference. The Turkish government is beholden to the public and a very conservative military.

Saudi Arabia was called Arabia before the Saud family took over in the 40's. It is practically a dictatorship.

Neither group in Turkey will tolerate these attacks. I am wondering if the primary pressure will go to the perpetrators or the alleged targets

[Levante]

"When the Turkish generals are having coffee with their Israeli counter parts in the Golan Heights, the World will be a much safer place."

Yup. My dad's unit fought in Korea (1953) alongside the Turks. Some seriously good soldiers, those Turks.