Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., November 13, 2007 Kislev 3, 5768 | | Israel Time: 14:13 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Print Edition Diplomacy Defense Arts & Leisure Real Estate Jewish World National Advertising Magazine Week's End Business Opinion Rosner's Domain Anglo File Books Travel

Peres, (R), follows a military guard of honor carrying his wreath at the mausoleum of modern Turkey's founder Kemal Ataturk in Ankara, Sunday. (AP) del.icio.us Digg It!  new Last update - 15:39 12/11/2007 Turkish President to Peres: Syria is interested in peace with Israel By The Associated Press and Reuters tags: Turkey, Abdullah Gul  President Shimon Peres, on a visit to Turkey, met on Monday with Turkish President Abdullah Gul, with whom he discussed Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, Syria and the Iranian nuclear threat. Gul told Peres that Israel must halt settlement construction in the West Bank if it wishes to seriously pursue peace efforts with the Palestinians. "Israel's security is important, but one can't ignore Palestinian problems. Israel must stop building in settlements," he said. The Turkish president said of conversations with Palestinian leaders, "They spread maps out before me and show me the settlement growth. It doesn't leave me much to say on the matter." Advertisement Peres said he believed that Israel could make peace at present with the Palestinians, but cautioned that the process might take time. "I believe, we can make peace now with Palestinians," Peres told a joint news conference with Gul. However, Peres said it might not be quick. "It takes time to make peace," he said. On Syria, Gul told Peres that Damascus should be invited to the Annapolis peace summit at the end of the month and that Syrian President Bashar "Assad is interested in real peace." Peres said that he has heard "Assad's peace calls, but he needs to take action that shows he is serious and come to Jerusalem." Gul told Peres Turkey would work for the release of two Israeli soldiers held by Hezbollah since last year. "We hope a good result can be achieved. Turkey will make every effort to achieve that result," he told the news conference, describing the issue as "humanitarian". As Turkey's foreign minister, Gul raised the case of the missing soldiers in the past in his talks with Syria at Israel's request. The two presidents also discussed U.S. congressional legislation, to which Turkey is vehemently opposed, which labels the massacre of Armenians during World War One a genocide. Turkey has warned its relations with the United States could be damaged by the legislation, and he extended the warning to Israel. "It's not a good idea to spoil relations between Turkey and Israel because of events from 90 years ago," Gul told Peres, "but we can't stand a situation in which every half year the issue is raised in the United States." Regarding the Iranian nuclear threat, Peres told Gul that it is clear that Iran, which claims its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, is actually trying to develop nuclear arms. Gul disagreed, but said Turkey would not stand for Iran to acquire nuclear arms. On Tuesday, Peres will become the first Israeli president ever to speak before the legislature of a Muslim country. The talks come just weeks before Israelis and Palestinians are expected to sit down at a U.S.-sponsored peace conference in Annapolis, Maryland, with the aim of relaunching Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. "Turkey can play a first-tier role in the peace process," Peres said last week in Jerusalem, adding that the country's moderate and democratic nature served as a counterweight to the extremist Islam embodied by Iran. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert called the president's visit to Turkey extraordinary. "This is the first time the Israeli president has been invited to speak in a Muslim parliament, in a Muslim country," he said. Peres and Abbas - who will arrive in Ankara later on Monday - were expected to meet Tuesday. Peres said in an interview on private CNN Turk television Sunday that discussions would focus on a planned industrial park that Turkey plans to set up in the West Bank. The industrial zone is expected to create jobs for thousands of Palestinians. Turkey is waiting for a decision from Abbas' government on how much land could be allocated for the project. Abbas will separately address the Turkish Parliament on Tuesday. Turkey, a NATO member and Israel's closest ally in the Islamic world, has in the past played the role of mediator between the Jewish state and its Muslim neighbors. Related articles: Turkey seeks right to build monument in J'lem's Old City Assad says Turkey trying to mediate between Syria, Israel Bookmark to del.icio.us Religious identity Palestinian negotiator Erekat: Palestinians won't accept Israel as a 'Jewish State' Freedom of expression The head of Google Israel refuses to censor anti-Jewish hate material on the internet.   1.   since when does israel make turkish internal policy? 15:19  |  victor hardman 12/11/07   2.   Gul, talking to himself in public 16:00  |  Mark Lincoln 12/11/07   3.   But... But... Israel doesn`t want peace, silly. 16:10  |  POP 12/11/07   4.   Too bad, becuase the US is not 16:24  |  MiddleStanian 12/11/07   5.   Peace (but Not) Now 16:31  |  Proud Israeli 12/11/07   6.   Belfast guy dicates Israels foreign policy? LOL 17:34  |  Petra 12/11/07   7.   POP PITIFUL IGNORAMUS!! 17:36  |  Petra 12/11/07   8.   Mr. Peres do you never have shame? 18:32  |  S.E 12/11/07   9.   to #8 20:08  |  engineer63 12/11/07   10.   #6 petra makes out like a rock of groan 23:35  |  victor hardman 12/11/07   11.   Peres in Turkey 23:50  |  Alex S. 12/11/07   12.   The two faces of genocide 00:08  |  Axel 13/11/07   13.   Where are all the Turkophobics?? 14:07  |  Ahmet L 13/11/07

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