- Title: TURKEY: Turkey says Israeli inquiry into flotilla raid of no value
- Date: 15th June 2010
- Summary: ANKARA, TURKEY (JUNE 14, 2010) (REUTERS) TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER AHMET DAVUTOGLU GREETING SENEGAL FOREIGN MINISTER MADICKE NIANG DAVUTOGLU AND NIANG SHAKING HANDS AND ENTERING FOREIGN MINISTRY RESIDENCE WIDE OF DAVUTOGLU AND NIANG SHAKING HANDS AND SITTING IN DAVUTOGLU'S WORKING OFFICE CLOSE OF NIANG CLOSE OF DAVUTOGLU CAMERAMEN FILMING DAVUTOGLU AND NIANG ARRIVING
- Embargoed: 30th June 2010 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Turkey
- Country: Turkey
- Topics: International Relations
- Reuters ID: LVA153B9EMVDVWYMJHJNEIBGRWJ8
- Story Text: Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Monday (June 14) an Israeli investigation into a deadly raid on a convoy of Gaza-bound aid ships is not valuable to Turkey even if the panel includes foreign observers.
"We don't believe that a country which attacked a civilian convoy sailing in international waters can carry out an impartial investigation. In this respect we want an international commission to investigate this issue and we want this commission to be set up under the direct control of the United Nations. We are persistent on our demands. Israel's one-sided inquiry is not valuable to us," he told a news conference with Senegal Foreign Minister Madicke Niang.
Davutoglu's remarks came as Israel's cabinet convened to approve an investigation panel amid international calls for an impartial and credible investigation.
If approved, the panel will be composed of five members, including two non-voting foreign observers: David Trimble, a Northern Ireland politician and Nobel Peace Prize winner, and Canadian jurist Ken Watkin.
"If an international commission is not established and Turkey's demands are neglected, Turkey has right to review its relations with Israel and take measures," Davutoglu said.
The internal inquiry into the May 31 raid, which falls short of a U.N. proposal for an international investigation, was decided on after consultations with the United States.
The White House welcomed the move as an important step and said Israel was capable of conducting a fair probe into operation to prevent a six-ship aid flotilla from breaking its blockade of the Hamas-run Gaza Strip.
Turkey's foreign minister denounced U.S. support of the Israeli investigation by drawing attention to the fact that one of those killed when Israeli forces seized the ships was a Turkish-American citizen.
"No matter who says what, Turkey has lost its citizens. An American citizen was also killed during this attack and we believe that the United States will follow and defend its citizen's right to live," Davutoglu said.
Israel said its commandos killed nine pro-Palestinian Turkish activists when they boarded a Turkish-flagged aid vessel and were attacked by passengers wielding metal rods and knives.
The committee will examine the flotilla members, as well. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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