RAMALLAH, West Bank - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday that Ankara stood ready to do anything possible to advance the Middle East peace process if the Israelis and Palestinians wanted its help.
"We have let it be known to the two parties, with whom we enjoy excellent relations, that we are completely ready to do anything we can to contribute towards peace," Erdogan said after talks with Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas.
"It is up to the two parties to determine the type of assistance that we can provide and carry out," he told reporters following the meeting in the West Bank town of Ramallah.
Abbas welcomed the prospect of help from Ankara in the peace process, saying that Turkey had a "role to play because of its importance on the regional and international scene."
"We want to see a both a political and economic role for Turkey," he added.
The Palestinian leader said that Turkey could carve out a role as "an honest broker" between the Israelis and Palestinians, given its good relations with both sides.
"Why not start negotiations under the patronage of Turkey? I think that Turkey can play an essential role and bring about results."
Erdogan said that he had asked ministers in Israel, with whom he met on Sunday, "to support the action of President Abbas, strengthen him and give him a chance to carry out measures which will be to Israel's advantage."
"How can he control the situation if he does not have the necessary support?" Erdogan added.
Israel, wary of outside intervention from anyone but its allies in Washington, would rather restrict Turkey's role to providing economic assistance to the Palestinians.
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said at a press conference with Erdogan Sunday that "Turkey has the capacity to help the Palestinians after the redeployment in the economic field," such as by building electrical power stations, desalination plants and construction of high-rise buildings for refugees.
05/02/2005 13:58 GMT