Germany and Turkey Discuss Tank Sales

Germany is talking with the Turkish government about exporting German army battle tanks, a German government source said on Monday. The source added that Turkey is interested in buying some of the German army's surplus Leopard 2 battle tanks. The issue of arms sales to Turkey is sensitive because of concerns in Germany over Turkey's treatment of minority groups such as the Kurds, and its record on human rights. But German Defence Minister Peter Struck said last week that the progress Turkey has made on opening negotiations to join the European Union mean arms sales should no longer be a taboo subject.