03Jun10

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Humanitarian Foundation Says People Still Missing From Aid Convoy

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Turkey's foreign minister said on Wednesday that it would be a shame for the humanity in case the blockade in Gaza continued.

"If the blockade in Gaza continues after the international community has seen such a disaster, massacre and barbarous attack, it will be a shame for all of us," Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said while visiting Turkish citizens who were injured in Israeli attack on ship carrying aid to Gaza in the hospital.

Davutoglu said all the Turkish institutions were exerting efforts not to leave even one Turkish citizen in Israel adding that one of the two injured people who remained in Israel for treatment could not be identified yet.

He said the injured were in serious condition.

"The first priority is arrival of the Turkish citizens and their treatment. A voting took place in UN Office in Geneva on Wednesday and with the support of 33 countries, a decision was made to establish an international inquiry committee on the matter. This is a process. We will activate all the international forums and institutions to carry out the investigation in the healthiest way. It should be known that Turkey is resolved to protect rights of its citizens. Perpetrators will be asked to account for this," Davutoglu said.

Asked if Turkey thought of halting relations with Israel from now on, Davutoglu said, "the war itself even has rules. The countries should abide by some specific rules even in the battle. Before all, we will listen from the injured citizens about the treatment they received and voice it in international platforms."

Responding to a question whether a legal process would start in Turkey, foreign minister Davutoglu said, "it may start. We will assess it. We request the interrogation commission for this reason."

Davutoglu said Turkey would launch any necessary initiatives for the removal of the blockade, "this blockade is inhumane" he said.

[Source: Turkish Weekly, Ankara, 03Jun10]

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