President Bush 'lifts' non-existent travel ban to Turkey
President George Bush has caused confusion by lifting a non-existent ban on Americans travelling to Turkey.
Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit was next to him as he made the announcement at the White House.
While there was never a ban on travel to Turkey, the government does warn people to be careful when travelling there.
According to reports, Turkey has been on the State Department's "travel sheet" which often advises people on crime and other security concerns in a particular country.
But during a meeting, President Bush told reporters: "And today, I'm informing the prime minister that we're lifting the travel ban on Turkey."
Turkish Prime Minister Bulent added: "We have just got the news . . . from the president that the ban on tourism to Turkey is to be lifted. So we will be very happy to see a great number of tourists from the United States."
The paper reports a State Department official said: "I don't know what the president had in mind, but whatever he said, I'm right behind him."
Sean McCormack, a National Security Council spokesman, says the order will result in a toning down of the cautionary information about Turkey, including reports of terrorism. He adds the Turkish government had only asked for this.
