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Continued Cooperation Between Israel and Turkey

Last Week, Turkey’s strategic plans were shared with JINSA by Mr. Murat Sungar, a chief foreign policy advisor to Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz. The agreement represents a major shift in the strategic fabric of the region. Full consummation of the provisions will serve to isolate Syria and to constrain Iran and Iraq. Meeting in the JINSA offices, Mr. Sungar said that Turkey and Israel agreed to:


Last Week, Turkey’s strategic plans were shared with JINSA by Mr. Murat Sungar, a chief foreign policy advisor to Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz. The agreement represents a major shift in the strategic fabric of the region. Full consummation of the provisions will serve to isolate Syria and to constrain Iran and Iraq. Meeting in the JINSA offices, Mr. Sungar said that Turkey and Israel agreed to:

• Launch a high-level working group to assess and analyze common threats. The Israeli government has announced that Israel’s Director General of the Ministry of Defense David Ivry will head the Israeli side of the group;

• Establish a protocol for intelligence collection and sharing;

• Arrange for Israel to provide surveillance equipment to combat terrorist infiltration across its border with Iraq; and,

• Establish joint military training and exercises between each stat’s air force and navy.

1) Of great importance to Israel is Turkey’s wide-open airspace in which to conduct aerial exercises and combat training.

2) Since both air forced make heavy use of F-16 and F-4 fighters, areas of commonality exist in such areas as spare parts, upgraded, new development, comb at training, weapons tactics, etc.

3) Expanded opportunities to cooperate against terrorism, from which both countries suffer.

4) Turkish officials have told JINSA that there are several secret provisions in the agreement most likely involving cooperation in intelligence and war-fighting plans.

Turkey has been subjected to vicious media attacks and diplomatic pressures from the Arab states and Iran. The Turkish government is holding form to its commitment to Israel. The recent attempt on the life of Turkish President Demirel by an enraged Islamic extremist was answered by further declarations of support by the Turkish government.

The peace process must harness Syria, Mr. Sungar told JINSA. The process cannot ignore outstanding issues between Turkey and Syria including but not limited to Syrian support for the ant-Turkish PKK terrorist organization. Mr. Sungar declared that the pattern of problems with Syria experienced by the United States, Turkey, and Israel are indicative of Assad’s leadership and do not bode well any pact signed with him, including any deal with Israel.

Earlier this week, there were reports that the Turkish government would seek to change their arrangements with Israel. Prime Minister Yilmaz whole-heartedly denied these reports and states that the arrangement would stand. JINSA wrote a letter to Prime Minister Yilmaz commending his actions.