Turkey: Alliance with Israel not directed against Syria

Turkish Deputy Premier Polent Ajawid has denied that the Turkish-Israeli alliance is directed against Syria to pressure her to accept "Israeli conditions in the peace talks."

In a statement reported on Sunday by the Kuwaiti daily al-Watan, Ajawid stressed that Turkey will not "back Israel nor support it in launching a military operation against Syria." He added that if Syria" reveals good intentions toward Turkey, "Good relations will prevail between our two countries and would be of good economic results and foremost for Syria."

He added that the recent agreement with Syria to end the crisis did not cover the questions about the sharing of water. "This is because we give Syria more waters that we had promised," he continued. "If relations between Turkey and Syria get improved Syria will be able to obtain additional amounts of waters."

Concerning Alexandaritta Sanjak, Ajawid said, "This area was under the French mandate during the first world war and its people want to be linked to Turkey, and Syria does not want to recognize this fact." He added that Syria "should give up its illusions in this concern and admit historical facts."