World Jewish News
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, February 10, 2012.
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Turkey FM: Israeli military strike on Iran would be a disaster
10.02.2012, Israel and the World Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Friday that an Israeli strike on Iran would be disastrous and should not be an option.
"We don't want any nuclear power - not in the region, and not in the world," he said while speaking at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. "But a military strike would be a disaster. It should not be an option," he said.
Davutoglu stressed that Turkey does not want to see another conflict "at this turning point for the region."
"It's not reasonable or feasible. We will never endorse another military tension in the region," he said."
The Turkish foreign minister also commented on the Palestinian efforts to secure a unity government and Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations.
"We are working with Egypt to have one authority in the West Bank and Gaza," he said. "Without one authority, even if one side makes a deal, it will be difficult to implement."
He said that Hamas has accepted peaceful means of resistance, but expressed disappointment regarding Israeli settlement construction.
"It's their right to defend themselves, to resist – but in a peaceful manner, until peace can be achieved."
"We expect good news from the Israeli side. Unfortunately, until now, Israel has not given positive messages, not to the region, not to the U.S. administration.Settlement construction is continuing, and provocative messages continue".
Davutoglu also spoke about the conflict in Syria, and said that the Turkish mindset has changed.
"We have problems with the Syrian administration, but not with the Syrian people. I am sure we'll have excellent relations with the government established by the people of Syria."
By Natasha Mozgovaya
Haaretz.com
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