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'Genocide' comment hits Turkish-Israeli ties
Jerusalem Post ^ | 4/7/2002 | Metehan Demir

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.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; Israel
KEYWORDS: genocidalturks; israel; turkey; usa
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Ever seen a turkey eat crow? Or humble pie? Yum! he says.
1 posted on 04/07/2002 12:37:59 PM PDT by a_Turk
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To: Shermy; Nogbad; Turk2; LJLucido; He Rides A White Horse; Fiddlstix; Torie; MHGinTN; hogwaller...
ping!
2 posted on 04/07/2002 12:38:41 PM PDT by a_Turk
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To: a_Turk
The Turkish Prime Minister is one stupid idiot. To even use the term "genocide" after their history with Armenia is the height of stupidity.
3 posted on 04/07/2002 12:42:59 PM PDT by LarryM
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To: a_Turk
"Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's remarks that Israel is carrying out a "genocide" against Palestinians..."

The Prime Minister has the wrong side fostering genocide. 'Tis the Jews, the Arab world is trying to obliterate and 'tis middle man Arafat who is acting as their front man in this effort. The Arab-Muslim world will not accept the Jews and Israel, all other rhetoric coming out of Palestine is specious.

I too would like an "explanation" of the Prime Minister's remarks. How many car bombings and human bombs is Israel supposed to sit still for? How many more "talks" with Mr. Arafat should they endure, knowing the man is a liar and a terrorist with one agenda in mind, the complete and utter destruction of Israel and her people? I think Arafat pulled his last string in getting the world and Sharon to bow before him; I think and I hope that string broke and with it the Terrorist Arafat.

America must never give Palestine one more dime, if they do, then we, the taxpayers are contributing to this Arab conflict and the collapse of the Jewish world.

4 posted on 04/07/2002 1:20:16 PM PDT by yoe
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To: LarryM
It never fails to amaze me how two countries which despise one another (like Greece and Turkey, for example), will stand shoulder to shoulder against Israel. Antisemitism trumps virtually all other interests.
5 posted on 04/07/2002 1:25:24 PM PDT by white trash redneck
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To: white trash redneck
Turkey isn't against Israel but it may very well turn out that way if Israel doesn't back off with the nonsense.

And that would not be good for Israel or the United States one bit.

6 posted on 04/07/2002 1:41:37 PM PDT by LarryLied
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To: white trash redneck
Antisemitism trumps virtually all other interests.

Right from the very birth of their religion, Jews have managed to greatly annoy anyone and everyone they came in contact with. Makes you think...

7 posted on 04/07/2002 1:41:50 PM PDT by Arleigh
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Comment #8 Removed by Moderator

Comment #9 Removed by Moderator

To: LarryLied
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.

They should be registered as agents of a foreign power.

10 posted on 04/07/2002 1:44:44 PM PDT by mv1
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To: a_Turk
Should we be worried about losing Turkey as our partner in the war on terrorists.. or was this more like a slip of the tongue, in your opinion?
11 posted on 04/07/2002 1:46:54 PM PDT by Robert_Paulson2
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Comment #12 Removed by Moderator

To: mv1
There is no lobby making more noise and doing more whining at the moment than the Muslim and Arab lobbies. Some nerve after September 11, and the fact that so many Muslim organizations and charites (hoho) are being closed down. They should pipe down for their own good.
13 posted on 04/07/2002 2:01:40 PM PDT by vance
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To: Bruce Leroy
Israeli want to go back that far, Turks can bring up Bela Kun, Trotsky, Kaganovitch and many, many others. A former Estonian gulag commander wanted for crimes against humanity and genocide is hiding out in Israel right now. They refuse to turn him over for trial.
14 posted on 04/07/2002 2:02:36 PM PDT by LarryLied
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To: Lazarus Long
Aren't you going to finish your sentence? ...We Jews wait with anticipation.

I finished my sentence. The use of the ellipsis was only meant to convey the effect of letting one's voice trail off, as if into deep thought, not to indicate the omission of words. Yes, I can see the lack of clarity. Allow me to rephrase:

"It makes you think."

15 posted on 04/07/2002 2:07:40 PM PDT by Arleigh
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To: Robert_Paulson2
Should we be worried about losing Turkey as our partner in the war on terrorists..
Not at all.
16 posted on 04/07/2002 2:12:17 PM PDT by a_Turk
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To: Arleigh
"It makes you think."

I don't see any signs of it in what you just said.

17 posted on 04/07/2002 2:59:50 PM PDT by Cicero
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To: Lazarus Long
Ignore him and he might crawl back under his rock.
18 posted on 04/07/2002 3:13:34 PM PDT by Mortimer Snavely
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To: Arleigh
Right from the very birth of their religion, Jews have managed to greatly annoy anyone and everyone they came in contact with. Makes you think...

True. Jews are stubborn, hard-headed and refuse to bow before anyone but God. It doesn't make for being well liked.

However, it is also true that any empire that has tried to destroy the Jews has been, itself, destroyed. From the Roman Empire to the Third Reich.

Makes you think....

Maven
19 posted on 04/07/2002 3:16:33 PM PDT by Maven
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To: Bruce Leroy
Amazing how he can get away with something like that and deny that the Armenian genocide ever took place

That's Turks for you - deny deny deny their bloody past and present. The sooner US foreign policy marginalizes the role of Turkey the better.

20 posted on 04/07/2002 3:17:49 PM PDT by eleni121
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