Background:

The recordings with Turkish Ambassador Yassir Yatis (whose post has been moved from Egypt to Austria) provide an overview of Turkish relations with countries in the region including Turkish-Israeli relations in light of a recent military deal and a Turkish military operation in Iraq. Also, the general role of the military in Turkish politics is discussed.

For more information, please refer to the tape Farewell Press Conference by the Turkish Ambassador to Egypt I: 

http://www.arabwestreport.info/en/farewell-press-conference-turkish-amba...

Side A: 

The Turkish Ambassador’s post has been moved from Cairo, Egypt to Vienna, Austria and holds a farewell speech. He addresses two main topics: Turkish-Israeli cooperation and Turkish operation in Iraq (“Operation Hammer“). He begins with bilateral agreements of Turkey with Arab countries and points out that an agreement with Israel was only signed after the Egyptian-Israeli Peace Treaty. He quotes Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on the nature of the Turkey-Israeli military training agreement. Further, he addressed the modernisation of Turkish F4 jets through Israel and planned joint military manoeuvres. He describes Turkey as a strong supporter of the Middle East Peace Process and being against the Israeli settlement policy. On Turkish cross-border military operation in Iraq, he states the PKK increased their terrorist activities aimed at Turkey from Iraqi soil. Turkey had launched on May 14, 1997, a joint operation in Northern Iraq with the Kurdistan Democratic Party. He assures that the operation is temporary and Turkey is merely exercising its rights of self-defence. After he concludes his speech, a question and answers session is launched. Following issues have been addressed: Turkey’s information policy towards Iraq on its military operations; the absence of any Turkish intent to harm its relationship toward Muslim countries; Turkey’s priority of self-survival in the light of PKK activities; varying Turkish-Israeli perceptions of their common treaty (alliance or not); military decision-making in Turkey; Turkish-Syrian relations; a planned visit by Turkish President Süleyman Demirel to Egypt.

Side B: 

The ambassador continues to address questions by journalists. He covers: the reason why Turkey militarily operates in Iraq and not in Syria; decision-making and coalition politics in Turkey; the military deal with Israel and Turkey’s willingness to militarily cooperate with any other suitable country; Turkey’s top priority to be in a good relationship with its immediate neighbours and less with distant countries; Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan’s coordination with generals in military manoeuvres planning; Turkish Army’s interventions in politics and transfer to civilian power; why the Egyptian intervention in Northern Sudan is not comparable to Turkish cross-border operations in Northern Iraq; the United Nations’ presence in Northern Iraq, their capabilities and those of Turkey.