"'Prepare our Plane, We're Going Home'
On the first night of negotiations, relations with the European Council nearly reached breaking point. Ambassador Ugur Ziyal backed up Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan with the clear ultimatum: I don't think you understand, we are leaving.
Erdogan also raised his voice to European Union (EU) Term President, Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, saying 'You prefer 600,000 Greeks above 70 million Turks. You really do not understand us.' Erdogan returned his hotel at 02:00 a.m, revealing the state of the negotiations by laughing at the congratulations offered him by reporters. After diplomatic meetings that lasted all night, Erdogan went to EU Council building accompanied by the Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, diplomats and his general staff. "
More:ZAMAN DAILY NEWSPAPER (2004121814861)
