TURKISH MFA RELEASES STATEMENT ON ISRAELI

UNCLAS ANKARA 003835 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV TU IS SUBJECT: TURKISH MFA RELEASES STATEMENT ON ISRAELI MOVEMENTS INTO GAZA STRIP ¶1. (U) The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) released a statement on June 28 in response to the Israeli army's movements into the Gaza Strip. ¶2. (U) Text of MFA statement. Unofficial translation. Begin text. We are deeply worried about the fact that the tension in the region has escalated with the entrance of the Israeli army into the Gaza Strip on June 28 following the June 25 attack by Palestinians groups on the Kerem Shalom border gate. It is unfortunate that this escalation occurred during a period when progress was being achieved in the establishment of common political ground among the Palestinian groups in support of the peace process. Continuation of the tension and the conversion of it into hot clashes would only serve the interests of circles who do not want the establishment of a comprehensive and lasting peace in our region. Within this framework and in order to enable the elimination of the existing tension before it transforms into a deep crisis, we expect the kidnapped Israeli soldier to be turned over to the Israeli side and the Israeli military to end the operation it started in the Gaza Strip which damages Palestinian infrastructure and endangers the lives of civilians. We urge the sides to refrain diligently from acts that would foment violence and (to show) restraint and common sense in order to avoid a re-occurrence of developments that we have witnessed with sorrow in the past that cause nothing but blood and tears. End text. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON