"Diplomacy In Middle East
BYEGM: 2/3/2005
BY SAMI KOHEN
MILLIYET- The timing could never be better. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas� visit to Turkey coincided with a time when hopeful messages came from the Middle East concerning peace. In addition, Ankara hosted Israeli Chief of General Staff Gen. Moshe Yaalon at the same time. These two visits are important due to their contribution to Turkey�s bilateral relations with Palestine and Israel and Ankara�s possible contribution to the peace in the Middle East. When Abbas became the president, a new period entered in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Frozen contacts were reestablished between the two parties, measures and new steps started to be taken for the end of violence and in favor of the peace process. Abbas showed his determination for the end of violence and tried to convince such groups as Hamas and Islamic Jihad. At least, now there is an actual cease-fire for now. "
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