NEW YORK (A.A) - 30.03.2002 - Turkish Representative Altay Cengizer who spoke at the meeting of the United Nations Security Council on the Middle East crisis, said, ''Palestinian President Yasser Arafat's leadership is more important now than ever.''
Cengizer, the undersecretary of Turkish Permanent Representation at the United States, also referred to killing of Turkish Major Cengiz Toytunc in an armed attack in Hebron on Tuesday night, and said, ''we will follow it continuously till responsibles of this shameful attack are brought to justice.''
Stressing that the Middle East problem could not be solved through military methods, Cengizer said that Israel should act with common-sense, and listen carefully to international community.
Noting that Turkey condemned all kinds of terrorist acts, Cengizer said, ''terrorist acts targeting innocent civilians cannot be justified. There is any more important problem except for putting an end to acts of violence. Palestinian President Yasser Arafat's leadership is more important now than ever. Arafat is the legal leader of Palestinians, and the only interlocutor of Israel in its efforts to find a political solution. Everyone should be aware of the fact that Middle East problem could not be solved through military methods. We were struck with terror and felt concern when we saw President Arafat saying that he was ready to be martyred. If Arafat is martyred, this will serve nothing. On the contrary, he should be given the opportunity of acting as the leader of his people.''
He added, ''Turkey is ready to do its utmost to facilitate the way leading to the peace.''