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DAVUTOGLU WARNS OF RETALIATION IF SYRIA ATTACKS
Daily Sabah, Turkey
April 3 2014
Turkey's Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has vowed to respond to
attacks against the tomb of Suleiman Shah as it would to any other
part of Turkish soil
Daily Sabah Published : 03.04.2014 22:59:20
ISTANBUL -- Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has vowed to respond
to attacks against the tomb of Suleiman Shah as it would any other
part of Turkish soil. "When a missile is [launched] into Turkey by
the Syrian regime, the [Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant] (ISIL)
or any other element we will equally act in return," said Davutoglu.
Davutoglu, in New York for meetings on Turkey's provisional membership
on the U.N. Security Council, was answering questions about Syria and
referred to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's balcony speech on
the night of local elections.
Davutoglu answered that incidents in Syria are far beyond any war,
as even war has rules. He added that the Syrian regime has used the
most relentless methods in history and committed huge crimes against
humanity. "Hundreds of thousands of people died and millions became
refugees," he said. "The Turkish border was violated many times.
Within the framework of the inhumane attitude which was pointed out
by our prime minister and the violations of Turkish borders, what
we are talking about is that Turkish Armed Forces, who changed the
rules of engagement, shot down a Syrian war [plane]. Thus, we think,
the matter should be seriously monitored. This is what the prime
minister was pointing out."
Davutoglu commented on the seizure of a village in the region of
Kesab near the tomb of Suleiman Shah, which was seized by ISIL, a
militant organization formerly linked to al-Qaeda. Noting that the
tomb of Suleiman Shah has been recognized as Turkish soil since 1921,
Davutoglu added, "This place belongs to the Republic of Turkey. Our
soldiers in the region protect Turkey's soil. Any attack against them
will be regarded as one against Turkish soil and will be reacted duly.
Turkey is determined to protect the rights of its citizens and its
own soil and is able to do this."
Davutoglu highlighted that Turkey is not going to intervene in
skirmishes in Kesab. "As long as there is not any action against us,
Turkey will not intervene," he said.
Davutoglu also said that Syrian-Armenians may come to Turkey when they
face troubles. "Turkey is ready to help. From Kesab or anywhere else,
Armenians are welcome in Turkey."
The minister noted there were negotiations between Turkey and Israel
recently and added, "We expect positive [developments] in the future.
However, time will show when."
Davutoglu also replied to a question about the timing of the
normalization in relations with Israel. "Out of the three main
principles set for the improvement in the relations, one was
fulfilled last year, which is the apology. When it comes to the issue
of compensation, serious ground was covered recently. In addition,
there are some ongoing negotiations about lifting the embargo on
Palestine and Turkey's communication with Palestine."
The minister also spoke on the process of Turkey's provisional
membership in the UNSC. He explained that he came to New York to join
an array of activities for the provisional membership of Turkey for
the 2015 to 2016 term. He noted that he participated in the meeting
of Alliance of Civilizations and will come together with the Africa
group to explain Turkey's relations with African countries and the
African Union and seek support.
Davutoglu added that he will later work to forge greater ties with
Caribbean countries and the Pacific Islands.
The minister expressed his desire to get a positive result in the
elections of provisional membership to UNSC in October. "This will
be a quite rare example, a country being a member of UNSC for the
second time after five years. We are trying to achieve this goal if
God permits," he concluded.
Daily Sabah, Turkey
April 3 2014
Turkey's Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has vowed to respond to
attacks against the tomb of Suleiman Shah as it would to any other
part of Turkish soil
Daily Sabah Published : 03.04.2014 22:59:20
ISTANBUL -- Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has vowed to respond
to attacks against the tomb of Suleiman Shah as it would any other
part of Turkish soil. "When a missile is [launched] into Turkey by
the Syrian regime, the [Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant] (ISIL)
or any other element we will equally act in return," said Davutoglu.
Davutoglu, in New York for meetings on Turkey's provisional membership
on the U.N. Security Council, was answering questions about Syria and
referred to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's balcony speech on
the night of local elections.
Davutoglu answered that incidents in Syria are far beyond any war,
as even war has rules. He added that the Syrian regime has used the
most relentless methods in history and committed huge crimes against
humanity. "Hundreds of thousands of people died and millions became
refugees," he said. "The Turkish border was violated many times.
Within the framework of the inhumane attitude which was pointed out
by our prime minister and the violations of Turkish borders, what
we are talking about is that Turkish Armed Forces, who changed the
rules of engagement, shot down a Syrian war [plane]. Thus, we think,
the matter should be seriously monitored. This is what the prime
minister was pointing out."
Davutoglu commented on the seizure of a village in the region of
Kesab near the tomb of Suleiman Shah, which was seized by ISIL, a
militant organization formerly linked to al-Qaeda. Noting that the
tomb of Suleiman Shah has been recognized as Turkish soil since 1921,
Davutoglu added, "This place belongs to the Republic of Turkey. Our
soldiers in the region protect Turkey's soil. Any attack against them
will be regarded as one against Turkish soil and will be reacted duly.
Turkey is determined to protect the rights of its citizens and its
own soil and is able to do this."
Davutoglu highlighted that Turkey is not going to intervene in
skirmishes in Kesab. "As long as there is not any action against us,
Turkey will not intervene," he said.
Davutoglu also said that Syrian-Armenians may come to Turkey when they
face troubles. "Turkey is ready to help. From Kesab or anywhere else,
Armenians are welcome in Turkey."
The minister noted there were negotiations between Turkey and Israel
recently and added, "We expect positive [developments] in the future.
However, time will show when."
Davutoglu also replied to a question about the timing of the
normalization in relations with Israel. "Out of the three main
principles set for the improvement in the relations, one was
fulfilled last year, which is the apology. When it comes to the issue
of compensation, serious ground was covered recently. In addition,
there are some ongoing negotiations about lifting the embargo on
Palestine and Turkey's communication with Palestine."
The minister also spoke on the process of Turkey's provisional
membership in the UNSC. He explained that he came to New York to join
an array of activities for the provisional membership of Turkey for
the 2015 to 2016 term. He noted that he participated in the meeting
of Alliance of Civilizations and will come together with the Africa
group to explain Turkey's relations with African countries and the
African Union and seek support.
Davutoglu added that he will later work to forge greater ties with
Caribbean countries and the Pacific Islands.
The minister expressed his desire to get a positive result in the
elections of provisional membership to UNSC in October. "This will
be a quite rare example, a country being a member of UNSC for the
second time after five years. We are trying to achieve this goal if
God permits," he concluded.