Babacan to hold talks in US

Foreign Minister Ali Babacan went to the US yesterday for a nine-day official visit. Babacan is set to meet with Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman, and Treasury of Secretary Henry Paulson, as well as his US counterpart Condoleezza Rice. Babacan will meet with member of the US Congress, opinion leaders and media representatives as a part of his visit. Issues such as fighting the terrorist PKK, Armenian's so-called genocide allegations, energy links is expected to be discussed during his visit. Babacan will also inform US officials about indirect negotiations between Syria and Israel through Turkey's mediation in Istanbul last month. Babacan also will urge the US to support Turkey's candidacy for a temporary seat on the UN Security Council. Ankara praised for Bush Administration to add the PKK to the list of groups making drug trafficking ahead of his visit.