Turkish security to be discussed

MINISTER for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern will raise issues of security and safety with the Turkish Government today in the wake of Saturday’s bombing that claimed the life of Waterford teenager Tara Whelan.

Mr Ahern had already scheduled a visit to Ankara today to discuss the reform programme of the United Nations, in his capacity as a special envoy for UN secretary general Kofi Annan.

A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs said he would also discuss security issues with Turkey’s Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul following the bomb attack on the Kusadasi coastal resort popular with Irish holiday-makers.

The minister, who was in Brussels yesterday, will travel to Greece and Turkey today. The spokesperson said the minister’s schedule would not allow him visit the site of the attack, which killed five people, including 17-year-old Tara, and injured at least 13.

The body of the Waterford girl, who completed her Leaving Certificate examinations last month, was flown home to Ireland last night.

Two officials from the Irish Embassy in Ankara will remain in Kusadasi.

The bomb, which exploded on a mini-bus, has been blamed on Kurdish separatists in Turkey.

Turkish police yesterday said security had been stepped up at coastal holiday resorts.

Meanwhile, the Kurdish separatist group blamed for the attack, PKK, yesterday denied responsibility.

A statement issued through a news agency in Germany, purported to be from PKK, condemned the bombing and denied involvement.

PKK has been behind a campaign for Kurdish independence since 1987. Some 37,000 people have died as a result of the campaign.

A universal ceasefire was declared in 1999, but PKK rescinded it in 2004, claiming the Turkish government had done little to meet the political demands of the country’s Kurds.