ANKARA - Turkey has harshly condemned Israeli missile attack which killed Hamas spiritual leader Sheik Ahmed Yassin.
Releasing a statement on Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recalled that Israel has staged an attack targeting at Hamas leader Sheik Ahmed Yassin in Gaza City.
Noting that Sheik Yassin and some other people died in the attack, the ministry said, ``Turkey condemns this attack harshly. Turkey believes that such attacks will not serve tranquility which is targeted; on the contrary, it will worsen the atmosphere of clash in the region.``
Underlining that assassinations attempted by Israeli forces did not improve security of this country, it said that Turkey expected the sides to refrain from steps which would aggravate the already grave atmosphere and which would harm vision of peace in the region. ``The aim continues to be that Israeli and Palestinian people should live in their own states safely since there is no other way than this. The sides should act by being aware of it.``
GUL: ``WE CONSIDER THE ATTACK WHICH ISRAEL HAS LAUNCHED THIS MORNING VERY DANGEROUS. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS ISSUE``
ESKISEHIR - Gul told reporters that they had earlier made several warnings against possible attempts to assassinate Hamas leader Ahmed Yassin and added that restoring peace in the region would have an important contribution to world peace.
Gul said that nearly all events which prevented world peace were caused by Israeli-Palestinian issue. Gul added, ``because of this, we have said everybody should be more cautious and should avoid actions that will aggravate incidents. But, I sadly see that the attack which is launched today has become a very dangerous event. I actually do not know to what this incident will lead. It can aggravate the events and terrorism. We consider the attack which Israel has launched this morning very dangerous. I am very concerned about this issue. Many innocent civilians and children are also killed in such incidents. We also condemn the suicide attacks. We continue to condemn such attacks. Turkey always condemns excessive use of force which cause death of innocent people.``
Regarding the news claiming that Israel warned its citizens for not going to Istanbul, Gul said, ``it is an issue that they can decide by themselves. Istanbul is one of the most secure places of the world. Then, they have to leave Israel as well. Israel faces acts of terrorism more than Istanbul.``
(GC-AÖ) 22.03.2004