CHP's Baykal opposes possible Gul visit to Yerevan

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal yesterday spoke out against the idea of President Abdullah Gul visiting Yerevan. Speaking to reporters before a meeting with top CHP staff, Baykal said a Turkey-Armenia rapprochement plan had been designed by the US in order to disrupt good relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan. Stressing that any steps on the issue should be evaluated carefully, Baykal said Azerbaijan was Turkey's ally in the region, and warned against any stance that could harm it. Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian has invited Gul to watch the first-ever international football game between the two countries, in a World Cup qualifying match, this Saturday in Yerevan. Gul reportedly hasn't yet made up his mind about attending the game, which would be the first-ever Turkish presidential visit to Armenia.