Gul hints at role in freeing German journalists

President Abdullah Gul yesterday hinted that he had played an instrumental role in Iran 's decision to free two German journalists over the weekend. "We do not talk about the favors we do," Gul told reporters in televised remarks, but added, "Certainly I made a request [to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad], I spoke to him. I'm grateful he didn't let me down." Gul paid a visit to Iran last week, during which he met with Ahmadinejad. Turkish media reports said Gul got a positive response from Ahmadinejad when he pressed for the release of the journalists at the request of his German counterpart Christian Wulff. The two reporters were freed Saturday after a four-month detention over an interview with the son and lawyer of a woman facing death by stoning for adultery.