Turkish FM criticizes Israeli FM's refusal to apologize (2)

Turkey has demanded an international inquiry into the incident, which killed eight Turks and an American of Turkish origin, but Davutoglu said Turkey also accepted Israel's internal inquiry panel to investigate it.

"We showed them an exit road. If they apologize as a result of their own investigation's conclusion, that would be fine for us. But of course we first have to see it," he said.

However, in response to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's remarks last week that Israel would not apologize over the incident, Davutoglu said, "then the ties will never be repaired."

He stressed that if Israel does not want to apologize, "then they should accept an international investigation," and Turkey " would not wait for Israel's decision indefinitely."

The foreign minister also hinted that Turkey would appreciate U. S. efforts to mend the ties between Turkey and Israel, saying Netanyahu's upcoming meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama on Wednesday would be an important event for the future of Turkish- Israeli ties.

Israel's deadly raid on the flotilla has gravely deteriorated its ties with Turkey. Turkey recalled its ambassador to Israel, canceled joint military drills and closed airspace to Israeli military flights.

Source: Xinhua
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