Cablegate: Turkish Mfa Releases Statement On Israeli

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DE RUEHAK #3835 1811347
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R 301347Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA
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INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
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RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL 0875
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RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE

UNCLAS ANKARA 003835

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV TU IS
SUBJECT: TURKISH MFA RELEASES STATEMENT ON ISRAELI
MOVEMENTS INTO GAZA STRIP

1. (U) The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) released
a statement on June 28 in response to the Israeli army's
movements into the Gaza Strip.

2. (U) Text of MFA statement. Unofficial translation. Begin
text.

We are deeply worried about the fact that the tension in the
region has escalated with the entrance of the Israeli army
into the Gaza Strip on June 28 following the June 25 attack
by Palestinians groups on the Kerem Shalom border gate.

It is unfortunate that this escalation occurred during a
period when progress was being achieved in the establishment
of common political ground among the Palestinian groups in
support of the peace process. Continuation of the tension
and the conversion of it into hot clashes would only serve
the interests of circles who do not want the establishment of
a comprehensive and lasting peace in our region.

Within this framework and in order to enable the elimination
of the existing tension before it transforms into a deep
crisis, we expect the kidnapped Israeli soldier to be turned
over to the Israeli side and the Israeli military to end the
operation it started in the Gaza Strip which damages
Palestinian infrastructure and endangers the lives of
civilians.

We urge the sides to refrain diligently from acts that would
foment violence and (to show) restraint and common sense in
order to avoid a re-occurrence of developments that we have
witnessed with sorrow in the past that cause nothing but
blood and tears.

End text.

Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/

WILSON

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