Turkey has recalled two senior diplomats from Israel for "consultations", a step that comes amid signs of tension between the two countries over Israel's actions
in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Israeli media reported Tuesday that Turkey's ambassador in
Tel Aviv, Feridun Sinirlioglu, and Consul General Huseyin Bicakli had been summoned home to protest Israeli policies.
A Turkish official in Ankara, speaking on condition of
anonymity, confirmed that the diplomats would be coming to
Turkey in the framework of "regular consultations" that would last only a few days. He declined to comment on whether the decision was in response to Israeli policies.
A spokeswoman at the Turkish Embassy in Tel Aviv, also
speaking on condition of anonymity, said the consultations
in Ankara were aimed at helping to find ways to reduce
Israeli-Palestinian tensions. She said the diplomats would
probably return to Israel on Thursday.
"This is not a protest," the spokeswoman said. (Albawaba.com)
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
