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Israeli Minister in Turkey Following Arafat's Visit
Israeli Public Security Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami arrived in Turkey on Thursday to seek support for Israel's position on the Middle East peace talks.
In a brief statement issued upon his arrival, Ben-Ami said he will brief his hosts about the peace process, which has proceeded to a crossroad after the U.S.-brokered summit between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat at the Camp David failed last month.
Ben-Ami, a key member of the Israeli delegation at Camp David, said the two leaders want the process to come to a positive end, adding they have several policies in this respect.
Ben-Ami expressed belief that Turkey will make significant contributions to a fruitful solution in the peace process.
Ben-Ami's visit came at the heels of Arafat, who paid a brief visit to Ankara on Saturday.
During talks with Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, Arafat reportedly explained his steadfast positions regarding Jerusalem.
The Palestinian leader also tried to talk his hosts into backing a long overdue declaration of a Palestinian state on September 13, with or without a peace treaty with Israel.
Ben-Ami, known as one of the politicians close to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and an expert on the Palestinian problem, is expected to inform Turkish officials of the latest developments in the peace process and explain his government's views on Jerusalem and other thorny issues that have blocked the progress in the talks.
Ben-Ami, who was appointed Israeli Acting Foreign Minister by Barak on his way to Ankara, is scheduled to meet with Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and will be received by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit during his one-day visit.
Turkey, an overwhelmingly Muslim-populated nation, has traditionally supported its Palestinian brothers' aspirations for an independent and sovereign state while maintaining close political and military ties with Israel.
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