attend Iraq conference in Istanbul ANKARA, APRIL 4, SPA -- Several countries have agreed toattend a high-level international conference on Iraq inIstanbul, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan saidWednesday, adding that Iraq would respond to the proposalsoon, AP REPORTED. The gathering would be held at the level of foreignministers, with the participation of countries borderingIraq, five permanent members of the United Nations SecurityCouncil and the Group of Eight industrialized nations,Erdogan told a joint news conference with Kuwait's PrimeMinister Sheik Nasser Al Mohammed Al Sabah. «Several countries have responded positively,» Erdogansaid of the conference, which was expected to be held laterthis month. Erdogan said Iraq's President Jalal Talabani told himduring a recent meeting in Saudi Arabia that Iraq wouldrespond in the first week of April. «I hope the result (of the conference) would positivelyaffect the future,» Erdogan said.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/438305