USA Encourages Turkey and Israel to Resume Working for Regional Security and Stability

The US Ambassador to Turkey, Francis Ricciardone has made an assessment of the allegations that the US is putting pressure on both Turkey and Israel regarding the Mavi Marmara aid vessel report.

He said that the US is not pressing either country for anything but encouraging the two countries which are Washington’s friends to smooth out their differences and to resume working for regional security and stability.

In the meantime, it has transpired that Turkish and Israeli diplomats have been working on a statement acceptable to both sides on the Mavi Marmara raid last year which resulted in the death of nine Turkish nationals.

With only a short time to go before the announcement of the United Nations’ Mavi Marmara report, talks between the sides have been continuing in New York as has been verified by a diplomatic source.

What is gleaned from information sources is that the Turkish side is represented by Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Feridun Sinirlioğlu and the Israeli side by Strategic Relations Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Moshe Ya’ Lon.

Turkey’s representative at the investigation panel Özdem Sanberk and his Israeli counterpart are also reported to be in touch.

06.07.2011
SOURCE: TRT ENGLISH