Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., March 09, 2009 Adar 13, 5769 | | Israel Time: 09:54 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File
Last update - 19:03 08/03/2009
Turkish FM: Turkey trying to ease U.S.-Iran tension
By Reuters
Tags: Israel News, Iran, Turkey 

Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said on Sunday - after meeting U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and shortly before leaving for Tehran - that Turkey was trying to bridge differences between the United States and Iran.

Tukey, the only predominantly Muslim member of NATO, has offered to help resolve the standoff between the United States, its traditional ally, and its neighbor Iran over Tehran's nuclear program.

Clinton said in an interview on Turkish television on Saturday that the United States would ask Turkey to help push forward U.S. President Barack Obama's plan to engage Iran.
Advertisement
Babacan, who held talks with Clinton in Ankara on Saturday, will visit Iran for an Economic Cooperation Organiztion meeting chaired by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Turkish officials are working to create "better understanding" between the United States and Iran and both sides are pleased with its efforts, Babacan said in an interview with the broadcaster NTV.

Babacan said he would not carry a message from the United States to Iranian officials and that Turkey was not acting as a facilitator or mediator between the two sides.

"Tukey has advised both the United States and Iran that dialogue and diplomacy are key to lowering tension and that tough statements by both sides have yielded few results so far,"Babacan said.

Clinton also met Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and President Abdullah Gul in Ankara, the last stop in her week-long trip to the Middle East and Europe. She praised Turkey's role as a mediator between Syria and Israel.

The United States has accused Iran of trying to develop a nuclear bomb, while Tehran says its atomic program is aimed at producing nuclear power to meet its growing energy needs.

The United States cut diplomatic ties with Iran in 1980, during the hostage crisis in which Iranian students held 52 Americans captive for 444 days following the Iranian revolution.


Related articles:
  • Turkey: We're ready to relaunch Israel-Syria talks
  • Iran says ready to cooperate with U.S. on Afghanistan
  • Clinton says U.S. is 'testing waters' in outreach to Iran, Syria

    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Surprise victory
    Israel defeats Sweden 3-2 to advance to Davis Cup tennis quarterfinals.
    Nuclear threshold
    MI chief: Iran has crossed 'technological threshold' in quest for nukes
      1.   The Shah of Iran and the Islamic Revolution 21:59  |  Lou Medel 08/03/09
      2.   Smart Turkey: Israel could learn from it! 22:11  |  Mandelarab 08/03/09
      3.   #1 Lou Medel, you don`t have a clue 00:05  |  Mitra 09/03/09
      4.   I Love the Turks! 00:40  |  Persian Kitty 09/03/09
      5.   logical 01:37  |  American 09/03/09
      6.   A nice gesture of Turkey 02:29  |  Ann 09/03/09
      7.   Turkey Can Help Bomb Iran 03:19  |  Baruch Gold 09/03/09
     Haaretz Hot Topics
    Israel 2009 election results: Voter breakdown
    Israel goes to the polls
    Conflict in Gaza
    Israel vs. Hamas
    Iran: Nuclear and regional ambitions
    More Headlines
    09:48 'Hamas videotape shows Gilad Shalit to be healthy'
    01:59 ANALYSIS / Shalit family are Olmert's most polite opponents
    04:02 World takes dim view of Lieberman in FM post
    05:08 ANALYSIS / Israel has failed in bid to halt Iran nuke program
    02:52 Former president Katsav to face rape indictment
    03:56 Israeli Arab women march through Tel Aviv demanding jobs
    09:27 Katsav mum, women's organizations welcome rape indictment
    10:48 WATCH: Daily news round-up from Israel
    01:33 Israeli, Vatican historians meet to discuss wartime pope
    06:42 IDF imposes closure on West Bank ahead of Purim
    21:43 Israel defeats Sweden 3-2 to advance to Davis Cup tennis quarterfinals
    05:52 Friedmann saga may put an end to Meridor's political comeback
    06:32 Immigration Police scare off migrants seeking aid in Tel Aviv
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Spring Specials-Dan Hotels
    Jerusalem from 179$. Tel-Aviv from 223$. Herzliya from 336$
    Dead Sea Skin Care
    Quality cosmetics from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 12% off!
    Summer in Israel
    Israeli style - Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet 2009
    Passover Vacations
    The BEST Passover Vacations around ? Mexico, Arizona and Florida
    Camp Kimama Israel 2009
    The best place for your children this summer
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
    Jewish Singles Personal Ads
    Find the love of your life on JDate.com
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | | Israel 2009 election results
    Site rules | Makom: Engaging on Israel | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved