Ankara: Syria's proposals positive
Regional, Politics, 10/13/1998

Turkish President Suleiman Demirel has expressed satisfaction with the proposals sent by Damascus to Turkey.

Upon receiving Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa on Monday, Demirel stressed the importance of studying Damascus' proposals. Turkish Foreign Minister Ismael Cem described the Syrian proposals as positive.

Moussa arrived in Ankara at noon Monday and held talks with President Demirel and with Cem in an effort to contain the tensions between Turkey and Syria.

Moussa left Ankara later on Monday and made a stop-over at Damascus International Airport en route to Cairo where he informed his Syrian counterpart Farouk al-Sharaa about the results of his visit to Ankara and the talks he held with Turkish officials.

Following the talks, the two ministers answered questions from Syrian and Egyptian reporters. Concerning the current situation and if there is a possibility of ending the crisis, Moussa said there is "a possibility" and said he hoped to contain the situation. "I am delegated by President Hosni Mubarak to convey to President Hafez al-Assad, through Farouk al-Sharaa, the results of talks held in Ankara and we have to hope of establishing good relations between the two neighboring countries," Moussa stated.

Concerning the discussion of the security issue, Moussa confirmed that it was a main part of the discussions, saying that they hope to achieve good results and that Egyptian efforts and contacts will continue.

For his part, the Syrian FM said he highly appreciated Egypt's efforts. He asserted that the issues should be followed up and that good intentions by the two sides are important.

Concerning the possibility of continuing negotiations with the Turkish side, the Syrian FM added that Egypt's utmost efforts should achieve positive results and, "We feel satisfaction and we will be pleased if the problem results in positive dialogue between the two neighboring countries."

Answering a question on whether the escalation of the crisis is over, al-Sharaa said: "Since the beginning, we do not consider Turkey as an enemy whatsoever. We have dealt with this crisis not from the point of weakness, rather from our care for Turkey to be a friend to the Arabs and not an enemy. This has guided us to use the calm diplomatic language which helps in reaching a solution that is accepted by the two sides and two countries and to be in favor of the Syrian and Turkish peoples. Our brothers in Egypt have understood this point and this strategic vision and worked accordingly. We are sure that we all shall reach the results we look for."

Earlier in the day, before leaving Ankara for Damascus, Moussa expressed the hope that the efforts being exerted by Egypt would bring about fruitful results. In a departure statement, he said that his talks with President Demirel and his Turkish counterpart, Cem, were held in a positive atmosphere.

Previous Stories:
  Moussa visits Ankara today to resolve the Turkish-Syrian crisis   (10/12/1998)
  Al-Assad sends message to Mubarak, as Egypt conveys Syrian position to Turkey   (10/12/1998)
  Turkey informed Mubarak that Abdallah Ojlan is in Syria   (10/10/1998)

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