Turkey Won't Buckle in Visa Dispute

ISTANBUL (AP) -- Turkey's foreign minister says the country won't buckle under U.S. "impositions" as officials from both countries held discussions to try and resolve a dispute over visas.

Strained ties between the two NATO allies deepened last week after Turkish authorities detained a Turkish employee of the U.S. Consulate in Istanbul.

The U.S. halted most visa services for Turkish citizens at U.S. missions. Turkey retaliated by halting visa services in the U.S. for Americans.

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Wednesday decried what he described as an "immature diplomatic approach" by Washington and criticized the effect of the "needless crisis" on Turkish citizens.

He said that Turkey supported cooperation with the U.S. but that the Turkish judiciary is independent.

A U.S. delegation arrived Monday in Ankara for talks aimed at resolving the spat.

(KA)