Kerry in Turkey - trying to help with the deadlock between Turkey and Israel

[karynnj]

The Finacial Times article has a good description of what Kerry is trying to accomplish in Turkey - in short to act as the mediator between Turkey and Israel to get them to re-establish relations - that have become very cold since the flotilla. Kerry told FP that he was exploring how this deadlock could be broken. Turkey in the past was Israel's best ally in the entire area and has been useful in peace negotiations. Kerry is going to Israel next in his trip that has already gone to Sudan, Ethiopia, Lebanon, and Syria before going to Turkey.

FT now has text that says it it a violation of their copywrite to cut and paste, but does say to link to the article.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/0abb3010-ec13-11df-b50f-00144feab49a.html#axzz14oOpoh00

Here is what was reported in Israel's Haaretz newspaper.

A senior U.S. senator called on Turkey and Israel to overcome recent tensions and renew close ties to help with peace efforts in the Middle East.

John Kerry, who is the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told a group of journalists Tuesday that doing so could help Israel's relations with Syria and Lebanon.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/senator-kerry-israel-and-turkey-must-renew-close-ties-1.323805

Here is a Turkish newspaper - which like Haaretz uses the AP story:

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=sen.-kerry-israel-turkey-must-overcome-tensions-2010-11-09


Politio also had an article on this trip:
They quote Kerry's statement:

"Senator John Kerry, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee in the United States Senate, is visiting Turkey on November 9 for a meeting with Prime Minister Erdogan and other government of Turkey officials," spokesman Fred Jones said. "Chairman Kerry will consult with the Turkish government on the many challenges confronting both nations and discuss his trip to Sudan, Lebanon, and Syria."
<snip>
Iranian and Turkish leaders have said that Turkey is expected to be the venue for international Iran nuclear talks next week.

Kerry has been serving as something of a presidential envoy for President Barack Obama, going on an unannounced trip to Sudan late last week to convey Obama's proposal to accelerate Khartoum's removal from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terror if Khartoum implements and respects the outcome of a Jan. 9 referendum on southern Sudan's possible secession.

Kerry then traveled to Lebanon and Syria, to convey the United States's commitment to Lebanon's sovereignty. Kerry has met several times with Syria's President Bashar al-Assad to convey important messages from Washington, in part because the United States has no ambassador in Damascus.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/laurarozen/1110/The_envoy_Kerry_in_Turkey_Israel_West_Bank.html

Kerry is then going to Israel and the West Bank. The article then speaks of Clinton and Obama criticizing Israel's plan to build 1300 houses in East Jerusalem. Clinton and George Mitchell will meet with Netanyhu in NYC on Thursday. Netanyhu met with Biden last week. So, the administration clearly has everyone they can working on trying to bring peace.

[JudyM]

1. Kerry's probably happy to be a productive statesman after last week's mess. eom

[karynnj]

2. I think so - though he had to be happy with the Massachusetts results

But, comparing the photos of him in Boston last week speaking on the delegation losing the House chairmanships, he looks so much happier in photos in Sudan and the middle east. The photo in Lebanon at the Haaretz shows a happy, engaged Kerry.

[karynnj]

3. Video of Kerry speaking in Sudan

http://www.necn.com/11/09/10/John-Kerry-presents-proposal-to-Sudanese/landing_politics.html?blockID=348923&feedID=4212

[AtomicKitten]

4. Sen Kerry has certainly been an integral part of foreign relations.

K&R

[karynnj]

5. Here are 2 Turkish papers aricles that are not simply the AP story

The first suggests a much friendlier meeting than the AP article did - where it seemed that Kerry was pressuring them to make up with Israel. Here, the story is more speaking of the good US/Turkey relations and their past help on the Middle East, then expressing the hope that Turkey and Israel could get their relationship improved enough that Turkey could again help.



Referring to the friendly relations between Turkey and the United States, Kerry described Turkey as a significant bridge between the East and the West and thanked Turkey for playing a critical role in efforts for a more peaceful Middle East.

U.S. senator said he believed that Turkey could undertake once again its significant role as a mediator between Syria and Israel.

He said that restoration of Turkey-Israel relations would be "beneficial" for all parties including Turkey, Israel, the United States and the other countries. Kerry also expressed his sorrow over killing of nine people in the attack of Israeli forces on a six-ship flotialla carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Kerry said Prime Minister Erdogan proved that he was a worldwide experienced leader, adding he believed that a progress could be made in the Middle East peace process by working together with Prime Minister Erdogan.



http://www.worldbulletin.net/news_detail.php?id=66153

The second has a much fuller discussion of all the issues covered, not just relations with Israel. My take is that Turkey has been a goo US ally and there are many things that have not made them happy - including not having an Ambassador. It sounds like Obama was slow to appoint one (he appointed one in July. His confirmation was on the agenda of the Aug 3 business meeting of the SFRC) and the Republicans have been holding approval up.

http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/news-226803-102-kerry...