Wednesday, 30 May 2007ANKARA - While U.S. Ambassador in Ankara Ross Wilson stated that the violation of the Turkish airspace by two U.S. warplanes' was an "accident", adding that "we consider the matter closed," Turkey still took issue of the incident and presented a diplomatic note to Washington voicing its deep concern.
An official from the U.S. embassy in Ankara was invited to the Turkish Foreign Ministry and presented the diplomatic note over the incident. The note voiced concern over the airspace violation and asked the Americans to take measures that such an incident will not be repeated.
Two U.S. F-16 jets violated for four minutes the Turkish airspace over the southeastern Anatolia, on May 24.
Wilson while replying to questions prior to the dinner hosted in honor of a visiting U.S. congressional delegation said that an investigation revealed that the incident was caused due to pilot error.
During the course of training mission in the northern half of Iraq, the pilot misunderstood where the border was, Wilson noted.
Stressing that he also discussed the issue with Deputy Chief of Turkish General Staff Gen. Ergin Saygun, Wilson said that it was an accident; and he knows the matter is being investigated. He added that what the consequences would be is up to the U.S. Air Forces to determine.
30 May 2007
The New Anatolian
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Wednesday, 30 May 2007
Turkey and the U.S.
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