Ma'ariv: Turkish- Israeli agreement to fight terrorism

The Israeli minister of the interior, Tsahi Hanighbi, signed during his visit to Ankara on Thursday with the Turkish minister of the interior Abdul Qader Akso an agreement for cooperation on fighting terrorism, and proposed that Turkey mediate between Israel and Syria.

The Israeli radio said that the agreement includes intelligence cooperation, joint training for border police units in the two countries. It is, however, decided that units from the border police and terrorism fighting in Turkey will head for Israel to receive training in February 2004.

The Israeli daily Ma'ariv quoted Hinighbi as saying that "at a time when the world understands the need for cooperation against terrorism, Israel, and Turkey represent a fundamental step in actual implementation." The paper also quoted an official at the Israeli ministry of internal security that security cooperation between the two sides reached its peak, following the two suicide attacks against two Jewish Synagogue in Istanbul on November 15.