Turkish FM: Exiling Arafat won’t bring peace

Gül, in New York for the opening of the 58th session of the United Nations general Assembly, made his comments after meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom Tuesday.
“Turkey condemns terrorism but disapproves the excessive usage of power,” Gül said.
It would be better not to exile Yassar Arafat, Gül said as he did not believe it would serve peace in the region.
“The road map for the Middle East has no alternatives therefore it should not be missed,” the Foreign Minister said.
Gül also said that talks on Turkey selling water to Israel were close to being concluded.
On Tuesday Gül also met with the EU Commissioner responsible for foreign relations, Chris Patten, with the two discussing Turkey’s reform program and the possibility of implement the legislative changes enacted by the parliament. In addition, the talks between Gül and Patten covered the issues of Cyprus and Iraq.
After the meeting Patten said he was impressed by what Gül had told him of the legislative reforms approved by Turkey.
“I am no doubt very interested to see the implementation of these reforms in the following months,” he said.