Posted on 04/07/2002 12:37:59 PM PDT by a_Turk
ANKARA (April 7) -Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's remarks that Israel is carrying out a "genocide" against Palestinians has led to a serious crisis between the two strategic allies.
On Thursday, Ecevit said at a meeting of his party that not only PA Chairman Yasser Arafat but the whole Palestinian nation is being destroyed step by step, adding that genocide against the Palestinian people is being carried out before the eyes of the world.
Israel has launched simultaneous diplomatic initiatives in Ankara and Tel Aviv to protest Ecevit's remarks linking Israel's use of force to the genocide term.
Israel has asked Ankara for an "explanation" of the comments, warning that Ecevit's announcement could affect relations between the countries.
After Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem also warned that ties may be affected by the "genocide" comment, Ecevit said his words were misunderstood. They merely reflect his concerns over the events in the Middle East, he added.
This did not satisfy Israel, according to Foreign Ministry sources who said they were deeply disappointed.
Following Ecevit's statement, Turkish military and diplomatic circles assured Israel that Turkey has no plan to change its friendly policy vis-a-vis Israel.
During his meeting with his Danish conterpart on Friday, Ecevit noted that Turkey attaches great importance to ties with Israel, and said he does not mean that the Israeli public is committing genocide. Ecevit also said yesterday that he does not want to disappoint or upset the Israeli people by his use of the term.
American Jewish lobbies, known for their support of Turkey in the face of Armenian and Greek lobbies in Washington, are preparing to voice their concerns to Turkey. They reportedly delivered a message to the Turkish Embassy in Washington decrying Ecevit's statements. They added that the comments are particularly unseemly in consideration of their attempts to defend Turkey from Armenian claims of genocide, and in light of the Jewish genocide suffered at the hand of the Nazis.
Last year, Jewish-American lobbies played a key role in stopping a Congressional bill foreseeing an Armenian genocide law, urging US authorities to allow arms sales for Turkey.
A key member of a prominent Jewish-American organization told The Jerusalem Post that his organization plan to write a letter to voice their disapproval.
The minor storm will not affect the recently signed deal for TAAS-Israel Military Industries to modernize 170 of Turkey's M-60 tanks, despite a public outcry raised in protest of the ongoing Israeli operations.
High-level Turkish military and diplomatic sources told the Post that a line should be drawn between being emotional and being a professional in ties with Israel, a key ally since 1996.
At mid-week, Ecevit and his defense minister Sabahattin in mid-week said that canceling the vital $670 million deal is not an option.
A senior diplomatic official said that criticizing Israel is a must for the ongoing operation, but keeping strong ties with the ally is also vital for Turkey.
Meanwhile, Israel has declared that it will not participate in the upcoming three-way Anatolian Eagle joint military exercises with the United States in Turkey due to technical problems.
Turkey and Israel are still working to jointly produce Popeye II air-to-ground missiles as they prepare to start the Arrow II program with the approval of the US, in a further move to build a joint missile defense shield.
Israel is currently upgrading Turkey's 54 F-4 and 48 F-5 jets under a nearly $1 billion deal.
Clearly it makes you think. What do you think is going on?
Let us hope that Israel has finally realizes that Turkey is no friend to humanity.
Does that mean the more radical islamic arabs, don't really care for Turkey?We have been labeled "infidel" by them on a number of occasions. We were really brimming with honor when Usame called us infidels.. LOL!
The Turks had a "soft spot" for the Jews based upon their hatred for Christians. Jews naturally took advantage of the Turks' offer and participated in crimes against Christians as well.
The "Kristallnacht" of 1955
The night of 6th to 7th of September 1955, a Turkish mob in Istanbul, organized and directed by state authorities, conducted a vicious pogrom against the Greek Community of Istanbul. As a result:
Sixteen Greeks died (the 90-years old Fr. Mantas was burned alive), and thirty two were severely wounded.
At least two hundred Greek women were raped. Hundreds of Greeks were tortured.
Seventy three churches and twenty three schools were vandalized, burned or destroyed.
One thousand four houses were looted; 4,348 stores, 110 hotels, 27 pharmacies and 21 factories destroyed.
The Patriarchal and other Greek cemeteries were desecrated. The dead bodies of Patriarchs were unburied and profaned.
Relics of Saints were burned or thrown to the dogs.
In 1958-1959, a new anti-greek wave took place. Turkish nationalist students embarked on a campaign of leaflet distribution outside Greek shops, encouraging the boycott of Greek businesses.
In 1964, all Greek nationals, permanent residents of Istanbul (people who were born and lived in Istanbul but retained the Greek citizenship) were expelled from the country on a two-day notice. Eventually, the Greek community of Istanbul shrunk from eighty thousand souls in 1955 to only forty eight thousand in 1965 now less than 2500.
We defeated Japan and Germany about fifty years ago too. NOW they are our close allies. Japan especially dear to us.
So it is with Turkey. Whether YOU like them or not, regardless of atrocities they committed decades and decades ago... they ARE now our very close allies, one of the only members of nato that has been willing to put boots on the ground, and their money where their mouths are. The seem to have licked their "religious extremists" problem, cheifly the muslidiot extremists. I think we should try cutting them a little slack.
I am sure you don't want to sound like a supporter of the euroweenies and the palestinian nail salesmen brigade.
The turks are doing good. Let em be.
It's time to stop genuflecting to the Arabs, compromising our interests and principles on the absurd assumption that we can't do whatever we need to do — attack Iraq, defend Israel, support freedom in Iran, and openly acknowledge the manifest superiority of the Turkish model for all Muslim nations — without Arab blessings. Afterwards, relations may well improve since, as bin Laden himself put it, "People naturally prefer the strong horse," i.e., everybody loves a winner. We are the winners; let's act like it. We deserve to win, and so do our natural coalition partners: Muslims, Hindus, Jews, and Christians who believe in freedom, progress, and tolerance. Let's all pray together that President Bush knows it too, and will act on it, boldly, and soon.
God help us... a person with a brain!
I saw a turkish beach on the Black sea... and a turkish woman in a NICE bikini... that means it's safe for civilized folks to visit.
And it also means that careful transit of oil and product from this "san diego" like area of the world, SHOULD bring about some mega expansion of the economy... given the proper stimulus, and stability of governance.
Looks like they could use a little WESTERN capitalization of the infrastucture too. Says two things... DANGER and OPPORTUNITY to make lotsa money... If I were younger and wealthier... heh heh... a nice place to have a residence.
I like what I have seen on the net. You live there? You should be OUTSIDE if it looks like that at the beach...
Jews are NOT perfect. But, who is. It is instructive to consider, one cannot be a jew-hater, without hating Jesus... the apostles and rejecting most of the bible's authors. Another words, the whole foundation in human history for christianity.
It reminds me of nothing more strongly than a little kid crying, "Mom! Timmy hit me back, make him stop!"
Ecevit is a wimpAnd hen-pecked by his wife. Swear at times you'd think she's running the country. Especially with her general amnesty crap.
"Anti-Israeli protests mark the weekend
On the weekend, thousands of people across Turkey participated in anti-Israeli demonstrations to protest the assaults of Israeli forces on the Palestinian people and the siege of Palestinian President Yasir Arafat in Ramallah. Meanwhile, a group of Turkish parliamentarians reached out to Jerusalem to make contacts with Palestinian and Israeli authorities.
In Ankara, about 4,000 people gathered in a downtown square Saturday despite heavy rain, chanting: "Down with Israel!" and burning Israeli and American flags.
In the northwestern Turkish city of Bursa, police detained 23 members of a far-left party who staged an unauthorized protest against Israel, the Anatolia news agency reported.
Police also detained three people in an anti-Israeli demonstration in Istanbul's Taksim Square. A group gathered in the square on Saturday to protest Israel's actions, and as they march to Istiklal Street, police intervened.
A group representing the Kamu-Sen and Egitim-Sen labour unions placed a black wreath at the Israeli General Consulate in Istanbul.
Ecevit regrets 'genocide' accusation against Israel Meanwhile, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said Saturday that he regretted having used the word "genocide" earlier this week to describe Israel's campaign in the Palestinian territories.
Turkey typically has good relations with Israel, but Ecevit told a political party meeting Thursday that "genocide is being committed" by Israel against the Palestinians. Ecevit later downplayed his use of the word, saying it had led to interpretations he had not intended.
On Saturday, Ecevit went a step further, expressing regret. "I attach great importance to the people of Israel," Ecevit told reporters. "I wish I hadn't used that upsetting expression, I wish I hadn't caused upset."
Turkey, a predominantly Muslim country, has forged close military ties Israel in recent years. Turkey has also sought to maintain good relations with the Palestinians, who enjoy strong public sympathy here.
Ecevit's speech sparked speculation that the U.S.-backed Israeli-Turkish friendship was buckling under pressure from the Turkish public, which has condemned Israeli sieges in the West Bank. Thousands of Turks have staged anti-Israel demonstrations in the past week, and opposition politicians have called on the government to cancel a recent $668 million tank modernization deal with Israel. "
You cannot keep everybody happy, all the the time. End of story!
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