KAYSERI - Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said on Saturday that bomb attacks on two synagogues in Istanbul was considered as a suicide attack and were connected with international terrorism.
Replying to questions of reporters, Gul said that the attacks on synagogues were terrorist attacks.
Gul noted, ''it is connected with international terrorism. The terrorist method used in the attacks is a method which has not been used in Turkey before. This is very important. Experts are working on it. Foreign ministers of many countries called me, expressed condolences and their sorrow. Everybody gave the message that he/she could extend every kind of support and make every kind of cooperation.''
Stating that there wasn't not any terrorist organization which claimed responsibility for the bomb attacks, Gul said that it was too early to say anything about terrorist organizations which might have staged the attack.
Gul pointed out that cars were not allowed to stop or park around synagogues before as a precaution but nothing was clear yet.
The attack was seemed as a suicide attack, Gul said.
Gul stated that experts predicted that there were drivers in cars loaded with bombs.
''We firstly heard that one of the cars exploded when driving. Then, an information that the cars stopped in front of synagogues and then exploded,'' Gul said.
Gul drew attention that there had never been an attack by vehicles loaded with explosives in Turkey before.
Asked about the type of explosives used in the attack, Gul said that it was being investigated.
When asked if Turkish and foreign intelligence units exerted joint studies, Gul said that cooperation was made in fight against all international terrorist organizations.
Gul said that who staged the attack would be learned, adding, ''it is difficult to say more about the attacks at the moment.''
Noting that the attacks were well-organized and planned, Gul said that intelligence units were carrying out a good work.
(BRC-AY) 16.11.2003