Babacan pledges "quiet diplomacy" with N.Iraqi administration

Turkey will conduct an "extensive but quiet" diplomacy with the regional administration in northern Iraq, said Foreign Minister Ali Babacan yesterday. Now that Turkey is holding direct dialogue with leaders in northern Iraq, he added, "There will be meetings at all levels. The course of relations depends on what they do." In an interview with news channel NTV, Babacan also spoke about Turkey winning its bid for a non-permanent seat on the 15-member UN Security Council last Friday, adding, "For the next month-and-a-half, we'll pursue such issues as security and global warming. Our membership starts in January. This will give Turkey a personal stake in global issues."