GUL-SHALOM OCTOBER 5 LETTER

UNCLAS ANKARA 005807 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PINS KPAL IS TU SUBJECT: GUL-SHALOM OCTOBER 5 LETTER ¶1. (U) The Israeli Embassy in Ankara shared with us an unclassified facsimile copy of a letter sent September 5 from SIPDIS Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul to Israeli Foreign Minister Sylvan Shalom. In the letter, Gul expresses concern over: -- the "formidable task" facing the Coalition in Iraq; -- the "stalled" Middle East peace process; -- recent terrorist attacks against Israel; -- resumption of unilateral visits to the al-Haram ash-Sharif by non-Muslims. Gul concludes the letter by saying that he looks forward to visiting Israel "at an opportune moment soon." ¶2. (U) Embassy Ankara is transmitting an unclassified facsimile copy of Gul's letter to the Turkey desk. EDELMAN