Ankara, 17 September 2003 (RFE/RL) -- The prime ministers of Turkey and India today both called for a stronger UN role in Iraq, and said a new UN resolution could help them decide whether to deploy troops to aid security efforts there. Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, speaking during a visit to Ankara, said that when the Security Council takes action, India will decide whether to contribute troops to Iraq.
India has previously rejected a U.S. request to send troops to Iraq, citing its own internal security needs.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who met with Vajpayee today, said Turkey would like to see the UN take a leading role in Iraq. But he suggested that Turkey may send troops, saying that such a move would help establish a democratic state in Iraq.
India has previously rejected a U.S. request to send troops to Iraq, citing its own internal security needs.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who met with Vajpayee today, said Turkey would like to see the UN take a leading role in Iraq. But he suggested that Turkey may send troops, saying that such a move would help establish a democratic state in Iraq.