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Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Syria accepts Turkey as sole mediator
2010-07-18
[Iran Press TV Latest] Syrian President Bashar al-Assad says only Ankara is qualified to play the role of mediator between Damascus and Tel Aviv.
So much for the American role as honest broker. Well done, President Obama.
Speaking on Saturday, President Assad described Turkey as "Syria's greatest hope" as a mediator in peace talks with Israel.
Which demonstrates conclusively how hopeless the entire enterprise is, at this point. Perhaps he will be more reasonable after he and his little friends lose the next war they start.
"The interceding role in indirect talks [with Israel] belongs to Turkey. Other countries can play only a supportive role, not an alternative one," the Syrian president told reporters in Damascus.

Turkey acted as mediator in four rounds of indirect talks between Damascus and Tel Aviv in 2008 over an ongoing dispute resulting form the Israeli occupation of the Syrian Golan Heights since 1967.

The negotiations came to a halt in December 2008 after Israel launched an assault on the Gaza Strip, killing over 1,400 Palestinians in the region and inflicting an economic damage of more than USD 1.6 billion on the coastal sliver.

The chances of Ankara's return as mediator were further damaged after Israeli commandos attacked the Turkish-backed aid convoy Freedom Flotilla on May 31.

The assault, which took place in international waters, killed nine Turks among the hundreds-strong mission, triggered global outrage and provoked calls for an international investigation into the deadly incident.

The Syrian head of state went on to call Israel's operation a "terrorist act," adding that "Turkey has made several attempts recently to renew its work as mediator, but blood has been spilled now."

Earlier in July, President Assad expressed concern over the ongoing tensions between Israel and Turkey, saying that "the chances of peace grow slim, and the prospect of war grows."

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has warned that Ankara would sever all bilateral ties if Tel Aviv did not offer a formal apology over the attack.

However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman have brushed aside the call and rejected having any plans to seek Turkey's forgiveness.
Posted by:Fred

#2  Does Assad think Turkey will send troops to prevent Israel from leveling Damascus when Hezbollah kicks off the summer festivities?
Posted by: rwv   2010-07-18 21:58  

#1  President Assad described Turkey as "Syria's greatest hope"

We should hang one to encourage the others, no wait, the more the change the more the are different... no hold on thar....

Them what don't know their history is likely not doing well in practical math either.

0/LazyBoy killer of Ottomans
Posted by: Shipman   2010-07-18 16:54  

00:00