Sabah, Turkey
Feb 21 2009

Israel sends apologetic message

Israel’s Chief of Staff called Chief of General Staff
BaÅ?buÄ? by phone to apologize and then followed up with
an officially letter reflecting his grief.

Israeli Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi has apologized first by phone
and then with an official letter, for the remarks made by Land Forces
Commander Avi Mizrahi. Mizrahi had previously asserted that Turks were
responsible for massacring Armenians and are trying to follow the same
policy today against the Kurds. In response to Prime Minister
Erdogan’s reaction to Peres in Davos, Mizrahi stated; "Take a look in
the mirror."

Turkish military spokesman Brigadier General Metin Gural, discussed
and answered questions on the current developments during an
extraordinary press meeting. According to information provided by
General Gural, Israel’s Chief of General Staff Ashkenazi called Chief
of Staff Ä°lker BaÅ?buÄ? on February 16th to
statethat he placed high importance on relations with the Turkish
Armed Forces and that the sentiments expressed by Land Forces
Commander’ Mizrahi were his own personal opinion and did not represent
the viewpoint of Israel’s Armed Forces. He also stated that he was
disappointed in the developments and that he was willing to do
whatever necessary and wanted to apologize." Chief of Staff
BaÅ?buÄ? responded by stating that this explanation was
not sufficient, upon which the Israeli General wrote an official
letter of apology, stating; "The Israeli Armed Forces have taken the
necessary measures regarding the Land Forces Commander. It has been
learned that the Israeli Chief of Staff General called the Land Forces
Commander to his office and issued him a verbal warning.