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TURKEY, BRITAIN VOW TO STRENGTHEN COOPERATION AGAINST TERRORISM
Today's Zaman, Turkey
Nov 20 2013
20 November 2013 /TODAY'S ZAMAN, ANKARA
Britain and Turkey have vowed to ratchet up their collaboration
in the fight against terrorism on the 10th anniversary of the bomb
attack on the British Consulate in Beyoglu, Ä°stanbul, on Nov. 20,
2003, killing at least 27 people and wounding nearly 450.
Video
"As in the past, today Turkey and Britain stand side by side in the
fight against terrorism worldwide. Terrorism is a crime against
humanity and whoever commits this crime, regardless of religion,
race and ideology, is attacking humanity," said Davutoglu, while
speaking at a joint press conference with British Foreign Secretary
William Hague on Wednesday in Ä°stanbul.
Hague, who visited Turkey to attend the 10th anniversary of the
Ä°stanbul bombings, stated that Turkey will always have his country's
support in the fight against terrorism.
"You will always have our country's support in combating terrorism and
instability -- including as you take forward your political process,
and as you bear the burden of the conflict in Syria," said Hague in
a speech at the ceremony that was held to commemorate those killed
in the bomb attack.
Davutoglu on his Twitter account stated: "I once again strongly condemn
terrorism. We will not relent in our fight against this scourge that
constitutes a crime against humanity. Together with my UK colleague
Hague we have offered our sincere condolences to their families and
shared their grief."
"I also want to thank the people of our friend and ally Turkey. We
are deeply grateful for your country's [Turkey's] assistance after
the attack, and your government's efforts to bring the perpetrators to
justice. We thank you again for the enduring friendship between our two
peoples -- and for the mutual support and strength that our alliance
brings," said Hague, who placed a wreath on the wall of the consulate.
Roger Short, the British consul in Ä°stanbul, was among those killed
in the Nov. 20 bombing of his consulate in Beyoglu. The HSBC bank
headquarters in BeÅ~_iktaÅ~_ was also attacked on the same day,
while on Nov. 15, 2003, there were also attacks against the Beth
Israel Synagogue in Å~^iÅ~_li and the Neve Shalom Synagogue in Beyoglu.
Homegrown militants connected to al-Qaeda carried out two suicide
bombings targeting HSBC and the British Consulate General in Ä°stanbul
in 2003, killing 57 people and wounding approximately 700.
Hague also noted that the attackers failed in their objectives. "They
failed to divide us -- in fact, our ties are the strongest they
have ever been. They failed to weaken Turkey -- as your society and
your economy continue to strengthen. Our democratic values give us
a strength and resilience that terrorists can never overcome. We are
stronger than they are. We do not give in to terrorism," said Hague.
Davutoglu says Assad exploiting delays to Geneva II talks
Davutoglu accused Syrian President Bashar al-Assad of exploiting delays
to the Geneva II conference, aimed at bringing together representatives
from the Syrian regime and opposition, by stepping up attacks on the
opposition and said the conference must take place quickly if it is
to be of use.
"The regime is orchestrating an absolute human tragedy by ramping
up its bombings recently and leaving its people starving through a
siege," said Davutoglu.
"Geneva II should convene, produce results and the calendar should
not be allowed to be exploited [for other purposes]. As Turkey we
have supported all diplomatic initiatives. But since May, there's been
constant talk about Geneva II, and expectations mount, but it ends in
disappointment because there are no positive results," Davutoglu said.
Davutoglu: We desire normalization of ties between Turkey, Armenia
Davutoglu has stated that Turkey is ready to do its utmost in order to
maintain permanent peace in the Caucasus, adding that Turkey desires
to normalize its ties with Armenia.
"Our desire is the normalization of the ties between Turkey and
Armenia, resolving the dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia and
maintaining permanent peace in the South Caucasus," added Davutoglu.
"If there is any step required for this, Turkey is ready for it. We
are ready to make any contribution that is necessary," he said.
A bloody conflict erupted between ethnic Azeris and Armenians in 1991
over Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous, predominantly Armenian-populated
enclave within Azerbaijani borders. Armenian-backed armed forces
seized 20 percent of Azerbaijani territory, killing 30,000 people. In
a display of solidarity with Azerbaijan on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue,
Turkey closed its borders with Armenia.
Armenia has invited Davutoglu to Yerevan to attend a meeting of the
Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) in early
December, saying it will be pleased to see the Turkish foreign minister
in the Armenian capital.
"The invitation for the BSEC is routine. This is a multilateral
meeting. All the parties are invited. An invitation extended to
Turkey should not be interpreted as an attention grabbing move," said
Davutoglu, adding that Turkey hopes the dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh
is resolved as soon as possible.
Davutoglu noted that Turkey will raise the issue during Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Moscow on Thursday upon the
invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend the fourth
Russian-Turkish High-Level Cooperation Council (HLCC).
http://www.todayszaman.com/news-331976-turkey-britain-vow-to-strengthen-cooperation-against-terrorism.html
From: Baghdasarian
Today's Zaman, Turkey
Nov 20 2013
20 November 2013 /TODAY'S ZAMAN, ANKARA
Britain and Turkey have vowed to ratchet up their collaboration
in the fight against terrorism on the 10th anniversary of the bomb
attack on the British Consulate in Beyoglu, Ä°stanbul, on Nov. 20,
2003, killing at least 27 people and wounding nearly 450.
Video
"As in the past, today Turkey and Britain stand side by side in the
fight against terrorism worldwide. Terrorism is a crime against
humanity and whoever commits this crime, regardless of religion,
race and ideology, is attacking humanity," said Davutoglu, while
speaking at a joint press conference with British Foreign Secretary
William Hague on Wednesday in Ä°stanbul.
Hague, who visited Turkey to attend the 10th anniversary of the
Ä°stanbul bombings, stated that Turkey will always have his country's
support in the fight against terrorism.
"You will always have our country's support in combating terrorism and
instability -- including as you take forward your political process,
and as you bear the burden of the conflict in Syria," said Hague in
a speech at the ceremony that was held to commemorate those killed
in the bomb attack.
Davutoglu on his Twitter account stated: "I once again strongly condemn
terrorism. We will not relent in our fight against this scourge that
constitutes a crime against humanity. Together with my UK colleague
Hague we have offered our sincere condolences to their families and
shared their grief."
"I also want to thank the people of our friend and ally Turkey. We
are deeply grateful for your country's [Turkey's] assistance after
the attack, and your government's efforts to bring the perpetrators to
justice. We thank you again for the enduring friendship between our two
peoples -- and for the mutual support and strength that our alliance
brings," said Hague, who placed a wreath on the wall of the consulate.
Roger Short, the British consul in Ä°stanbul, was among those killed
in the Nov. 20 bombing of his consulate in Beyoglu. The HSBC bank
headquarters in BeÅ~_iktaÅ~_ was also attacked on the same day,
while on Nov. 15, 2003, there were also attacks against the Beth
Israel Synagogue in Å~^iÅ~_li and the Neve Shalom Synagogue in Beyoglu.
Homegrown militants connected to al-Qaeda carried out two suicide
bombings targeting HSBC and the British Consulate General in Ä°stanbul
in 2003, killing 57 people and wounding approximately 700.
Hague also noted that the attackers failed in their objectives. "They
failed to divide us -- in fact, our ties are the strongest they
have ever been. They failed to weaken Turkey -- as your society and
your economy continue to strengthen. Our democratic values give us
a strength and resilience that terrorists can never overcome. We are
stronger than they are. We do not give in to terrorism," said Hague.
Davutoglu says Assad exploiting delays to Geneva II talks
Davutoglu accused Syrian President Bashar al-Assad of exploiting delays
to the Geneva II conference, aimed at bringing together representatives
from the Syrian regime and opposition, by stepping up attacks on the
opposition and said the conference must take place quickly if it is
to be of use.
"The regime is orchestrating an absolute human tragedy by ramping
up its bombings recently and leaving its people starving through a
siege," said Davutoglu.
"Geneva II should convene, produce results and the calendar should
not be allowed to be exploited [for other purposes]. As Turkey we
have supported all diplomatic initiatives. But since May, there's been
constant talk about Geneva II, and expectations mount, but it ends in
disappointment because there are no positive results," Davutoglu said.
Davutoglu: We desire normalization of ties between Turkey, Armenia
Davutoglu has stated that Turkey is ready to do its utmost in order to
maintain permanent peace in the Caucasus, adding that Turkey desires
to normalize its ties with Armenia.
"Our desire is the normalization of the ties between Turkey and
Armenia, resolving the dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia and
maintaining permanent peace in the South Caucasus," added Davutoglu.
"If there is any step required for this, Turkey is ready for it. We
are ready to make any contribution that is necessary," he said.
A bloody conflict erupted between ethnic Azeris and Armenians in 1991
over Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous, predominantly Armenian-populated
enclave within Azerbaijani borders. Armenian-backed armed forces
seized 20 percent of Azerbaijani territory, killing 30,000 people. In
a display of solidarity with Azerbaijan on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue,
Turkey closed its borders with Armenia.
Armenia has invited Davutoglu to Yerevan to attend a meeting of the
Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) in early
December, saying it will be pleased to see the Turkish foreign minister
in the Armenian capital.
"The invitation for the BSEC is routine. This is a multilateral
meeting. All the parties are invited. An invitation extended to
Turkey should not be interpreted as an attention grabbing move," said
Davutoglu, adding that Turkey hopes the dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh
is resolved as soon as possible.
Davutoglu noted that Turkey will raise the issue during Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Moscow on Thursday upon the
invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend the fourth
Russian-Turkish High-Level Cooperation Council (HLCC).
http://www.todayszaman.com/news-331976-turkey-britain-vow-to-strengthen-cooperation-against-terrorism.html
From: Baghdasarian