On Demirel's talks in Israel
Turkey-Regional, Politics, 7/15/1999

The BBC correspondent in Turkey quoted Turkish diplomatic sources as saying on Wednesday that talks of Turkish President Suleiman Demirel during his current visit to Tel Aviv center on prospects of the Syrian - Israeli dialogue and its possible reflections on the regional role played by Turkey.

The BBC noted that Ankara, which strategically allied with Tel Aviv under the government of Benjamin Netanyahu, is now unwilling to be outside the scenarios pertaining to the region.

The BBC correspondent quoted warnings made by certain Turkish circles known for their negative stances towards Syria, that Damascus may busy itself with anti-Turkish policies against Ankara, after it is reconciled with Israel.

The correspondent continued that Turkey has followed up with great concern the improvement of relations between Syria and Jordan. The correspondent continued that Demirel's tour of Tel-Aviv, Gaza and Amman falls in the course of Turkish regional interests in this triangle, interests which have been increased following talks on the Syrian-Israeli dialogue. He indicated that the Turkish circles pay special significance to Demirel's visit to Tel Aviv after talks on coolness in Turkish - Israeli relations, due to Ankara's promises made to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to suspend some military aspects of Ankara's relations with Tel Aviv.

The BBC correspondent added that the Turkish president will propose to the Israeli officials during his talks in Tel Aviv the possibility of opening the doors of southeast Turkey wide to Israeli investors in order to establish irrigation and agriculture projects on the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers.

Previous Stories:
  Demirel to visit Jordan on Friday   (7/14/1999)
  Demirel, Cem arrive in Israel tomorrow   (7/13/1999)
  Damascus: Peace will come in few months if negotiations start from stopping point   (7/9/1999)
  Calls for Turkish withdrawal from northern Iraq   (7/9/1999)

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