Wednesday 16 December 2009

"In the context of who would mediate the Isreali-Syrian peace track, France & Turkey might be in need of a mediator... Mubarak?

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"... In the context of who would mediate the Isreali-Syrian peace track, that France and Turkey might be in need of a mediator ..." Judah Grunstein
Via WPR in Today's Zaman/ here

" Mubarak is expected to arrive in Turkey today for a three-day working visit, which will mark his fifth visit to this country since he took over as president in 1981 and the second presidential visit from Egypt to Turkey this year.



Mubarak, who left Cairo on Sunday, had talks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy at Paris’ Elysée Palace on Monday ahead of his arrival in Turkey. He is scheduled to have talks with both President Abdullah Gül and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan......

Ankara’s rising activity has led to the Arab media’s questions as to whether Turkey’s close interest in the Middle East was a matter of leadership within the region. Focusing on such questions, some of the Arab media sometimes compare the abilities of Turkey and Egypt in regards to their ability to deliver peace initiatives; some even pose it as a question of democracy and stability, showing Turkey as a model.

Yet, both Ankara and Cairo have insistently ruled out such arguments, saying they are not competitors but partners in the region. Ankara gave as an example its sincere and active support of Egypt’s role in launching active efforts to resolve differences between Palestinian groups....

During Mubarak’s visit here, Egypt’s ongoing efforts to broker a deal between Hamas, which runs the Gaza Strip, and Israel for the release the captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in exchange for Israel freeing of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners are likely to be at the center of discussions. In addition to that, the global dispute surrounding Iran’s controversial nuclear program ..."


Posted by G, Z, or B at 8:49 PM

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