Gul vows action over downed jet
Source: Agencies |
June 24, 2012, Sunday
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TURKEY will take retaliatory steps against Syria for the downing of one of its military jets, President Abdullah Gul said yesterday, even as he suggested that the aircraft may have violated Syrian airspace.
It was unclear if Gul was suggesting military retaliation, increased sanctions against Syria or other possible steps, including demands for an apology. Aides would not comment on Gul's words.
But Labor and Social Security Minister Faruk Celik said Turkey would retaliate "either in the diplomatic field or give other types of response."
"The incident is unacceptable," he said. "Turkey cannot endure it in silence."
Syria said on Friday its forces had shot down a Turkish military plane that entered its air space. The plane, an unarmed F-4, went down in the Mediterranean Sea about 13 kilometers from the Syrian town of Latakia, Turkey said.
The incident further escalated tensions between Syria and NATO-member Turkey. The two neighbors used to be allies before the Syrian revolt began in March 2011 but Turkey has become one of the strongest critics of the Syrian regime's response to the uprising and is host to civilian and military Syrian opposition.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davuoglu chaired a meeting yesterday with military officials, during which they discussed possible steps and a search and rescue mission for the F-4's crew of two, the Foreign Ministry said.
Syrian coast guards joined Turkish counterparts in their search for the aircraft's crew members for a second day yesterday.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hopes Turkey and Syria will exercise restraint over Syria's downing of the aircraft, his spokesman said yesterday.
It was unclear if Gul was suggesting military retaliation, increased sanctions against Syria or other possible steps, including demands for an apology. Aides would not comment on Gul's words.
But Labor and Social Security Minister Faruk Celik said Turkey would retaliate "either in the diplomatic field or give other types of response."
"The incident is unacceptable," he said. "Turkey cannot endure it in silence."
Syria said on Friday its forces had shot down a Turkish military plane that entered its air space. The plane, an unarmed F-4, went down in the Mediterranean Sea about 13 kilometers from the Syrian town of Latakia, Turkey said.
The incident further escalated tensions between Syria and NATO-member Turkey. The two neighbors used to be allies before the Syrian revolt began in March 2011 but Turkey has become one of the strongest critics of the Syrian regime's response to the uprising and is host to civilian and military Syrian opposition.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davuoglu chaired a meeting yesterday with military officials, during which they discussed possible steps and a search and rescue mission for the F-4's crew of two, the Foreign Ministry said.
Syrian coast guards joined Turkish counterparts in their search for the aircraft's crew members for a second day yesterday.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hopes Turkey and Syria will exercise restraint over Syria's downing of the aircraft, his spokesman said yesterday.
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