Turkish FM lambasts media for coverage of Hamas visit to Ankara
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Şubat 20, 2006 11:03
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, commenting on last week's visit to Ankara by one of Hamas' leaders, Halit Meshaad, has said that the important aspect to Meshaad's visit was what was discussed, and which messages were given by Turkey. Gul underlined that Turkey had given the right messages to Meshaad, and that the visit had happened in the best way possible.
Gul also noted that Turkey's main goal was to stop the blood and tears in the Middle East, and then said he thought that some of the Turkish media did not recognize the power and size of Turkey within foreign policy scopes.
Said Gul, "If Palestine doesn't interest Turkey, who will it interest? The deeds and archives to Palestine, Israel, Jerusalem...all of these are in Turkey's hands. Turkey's size and strength are much more clearly visible from outside Turkey, from Japan, from the US, from the Arab world. It is really sad actually....for Turks not to realize their own strength. The visit by Hamas' Mashaad was misrepresented in the Turkish press and certain circles. Israeli newspapers even explained Turkey's efforts as related to this visit, and whether or not there could be a chance for peace, in a positive way. They said 'this is an opportunity.' But unfortunately, looking at our newspapers, only the sensationalist aspects to the visit were covered. What was discussed during Mashaad's visit, what kind of message was given, what came up; none of this interests our newspapers."
Said Gul, "If Palestine doesn't interest Turkey, who will it interest? The deeds and archives to Palestine, Israel, Jerusalem...all of these are in Turkey's hands. Turkey's size and strength are much more clearly visible from outside Turkey, from Japan, from the US, from the Arab world. It is really sad actually....for Turks not to realize their own strength. The visit by Hamas' Mashaad was misrepresented in the Turkish press and certain circles. Israeli newspapers even explained Turkey's efforts as related to this visit, and whether or not there could be a chance for peace, in a positive way. They said 'this is an opportunity.' But unfortunately, looking at our newspapers, only the sensationalist aspects to the visit were covered. What was discussed during Mashaad's visit, what kind of message was given, what came up; none of this interests our newspapers."