Turkey Presents New Demands to Western Intelligence

Western intelligence organizations will no longer be able to operate in Turkey without providing relevant information to Ankara. This is reported by the Hürriyet newspaper, citing an anonymous diplomat. The information is relayed by RIA Novosti.

According to the diplomat, a “very remarkable event” took place some time ago. “Some Western intelligence organizations received the opportunity to conduct business in Turkey without permission to enter and exit. For example, a Western intelligence aircraft flies in, stays for some time, and then departs. Or something like that. Moreover, they provided no information about what happened on the aircraft, who was on the aircraft, and what they did,” the newspaper quotes the diplomat.

He stated that Ankara, in line with Turkey's national stance, declared that “such actions, arrivals, and departures cannot be carried out without providing the Turkish side with appropriate information.”

According to the newspaper's source, the response from Western intelligence services was harsh, but Ankara remained firm in its principled position. “Initially, they (Western intelligence services) reacted strongly. They spread the news that this indicates support for Iran. But that was in vain. Because Turkey, as an independent state, demonstrated its national stance. It was stated that if you intend to do something, you will provide information,” noted the newspaper's interlocutor.