Israel to Send Special Envoy to Turkey on Mideast SituationIsraeli Prime Minister-elect Ariel Sharon is sending special envoy Meir Rosenne to Ankara on Monday to exchange views with Turkish officials on the Middle East situation, the Anatolia News Agency reported.Rosenne is scheduled to meet with Foreign Minister Ismail Cem on Monday and with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit on Tuesday, an announcement released by the Israeli Embassy here said. Rosenne, who was former Israeli ambassador to the United States and France, is currently political and foreign relations advisor to Sharon. His visit came following Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's surprise visit to Turkey on February 14, asking Turkish authorities to pressure Israel to continue the peace process. Turkey is also concerned about the future of the Middle East peacemaking since Israeli rightwing Likud Party leader Ariel Sharon was elected prime minister on February 6. Turkish authorities are expected to convey Rosenne Arafat's messages and try to persuade the Israeli side to continue the peace process. Turkey, one of Israel's few allies in the Muslim world, also recognizes Palestinian aspirations to an independent state. It hopes that the two sides should start negotiations without losing any more time. Turkey also wants Israel to lift its economic blockade against the Palestinian self-rule areas and this is likely to be a topic of discussion during Rosenne's visit. |
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