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Turkey grounds Iranian VIP plane |
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Written by New Anatolian
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Thursday, 21 September 2006 05:42 |
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A military plane carrying Iranian officials, including several ministers, deputies and journalists, was asked to land in Istanbul early Wednesday as it lacked the necessary permission to fly in Turkish airspace, creating a row between Tehran and Ankara.
One of the passengers, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammad Reza Bagheri, who had to stay inside plane for several hours, protested Turkey's action, describing it as "illegal." The Iranian Foreign Ministry also called Turkish Ambassador to Tehran Gurcan Turkoglu and conveyed their unease, seeking an apology from Ankara.
But Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Namik Tan stated on Wednesday that the Iranian plane didn't have permission to fly in Turkish airspace on its return to Iran, and said the Iranian pilot landed in Istanbul to refuel.
Iranian press reports said the plane was forced to land in Istanbul and kept there for several hours.
The Boeing 707, which was described by Turkish officials as a "military" one, was carrying Iranian officials who were accompanying President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on his tour of Senegal, Cuba and Venezuela, including several ministers, deputy ministers, deputies, experts and journalists.
The delegation members had to return home after the US administration refused to issue them entry visas and prevented them from attending the 61st United Nations General Assembly meeting.
Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tan said officials
made a great of effort early Wednesday morning but it took several hours to get the necessary permission, which is in line with international rules.
But the angry Iranian officials made harsh statements, warning the Turkish government over its action. Iranian press reports said Industries and Mines Minister Mohammad Reza Tahmasb warned the Turkish government that the not issuing flight permission for the Iranian VIP plane and forcing the Boeing 707 to land at Istanbul airport was a blatant violation of the law and a clear insult to Iran.
"The treatment of a number of Iranian top officials and experts by the Turkish government cannot be considered a simple or routine mistake," a passenger on the same flight said. He added that the Foreign Ministry is to take steps to clarify the issue.
AKP deputy asks transport minister to explain forced landing
Ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party Balikesir Deputy Turhan Comez, in a question motion for Transportation Minister Binali Yildirim, asked whether or not the plane was forced to land in Istanbul.
"Why was the airplane asked to land in Istanbul? Were Iranian officials, including several ministers, deputy ministers, deputies experts and journalists on the plane? Do you think that forcing the plane to land in Istanbul will affect Turkish-Iranian relations negatively? How many planes have been forced to land in Turkey in the past five years and what was the outcome?" asked Comez in the motion. |