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Syria-Lebanon
Syria sees bright future with Turkey
2003-08-01
ISTANBUL: Syrian Prime Minister Mustapha Miro wound up a two-day visit to neighbouring Turkey predicting a “brilliant future” for relations between the two Middle Eastern states, which he described as “two brother countries.”
No skin off my fore. As long as we know which side everybody's on...
“I can see a brilliant future for our relations as long as this proximity goes on,” said Miro late on Wednesday, addressing a meeting of Turkish and Syrian business leaders in Istanbul. Anatolia news agency said that he added that the two countries had “interests in common,” and that he considered their relationship to be strategic. Turkey and Syria should set up an “economic and commercial union,” he added. Turkish Minister of State Kursad Tuzmen said: "I like to think that the two countries have broken through an initial psychological barrier, with trade going over a billion dollars this year.” Miro, who was the first Syrian prime minister to visit Turkey in 17 years, later left for home. Turkey’s often tense relations with Syria as well as Iran have warmed in the wake of the US-led war in Iraq. The three neighbors share concerns that any move towards self-rule by the Kurds in northern Iraq could spark unrest among their own Kurdish minorities.
Posted by:Fred Pruitt

#12  Here is where Murat's website is these days:

www.murat.com

Murat Theatre * Egyptian Room * Grand Hall * Corinthian Room

Hehhehhehhehheh......
Posted by: Alaska Paul   2003-8-1 9:36:22 PM  

#11  Where's Murat when he's needed? Is Turkey really going to set up an “economic and commercial union” with Syria? You'd think at some point their politicians would learn to stop backing history's losers.
Posted by: Dakotah   2003-8-1 4:13:11 PM  

#10  wouldn't worry too much - turkey know's where it's future is. they have a long history of playing games to get what they want. they want the us to repsect thier wishes about the kurds. wouldn't be suprised if you see powell over there reminding the turks where there future lies.

the syrians are really scared right now and are trying create a situation on the ground where the we cannot attack. very dangerous for the sryians -best for them would be to throw in the towell and get with the picture. but that won't happen as long as sr assad's advisors are still around - they still think they can stick it to uncle sam and still get away with it. god i love bush!
Posted by: Dan   2003-8-1 2:37:29 PM  

#9  I got it Mojo
Posted by: Frank G   2003-8-1 2:34:10 PM  

#8  "We gotta wear shades!"
Posted by: mojo   2003-8-1 1:49:51 PM  

#7  Steve, Mr. Miro used to have a (Baathist) "brother" who mysteriously dissappeared as I recall. Think Mr. Miro has that short a memory?
Posted by: john   2003-8-1 1:11:31 PM  

#6  which he described as “two brother countries.”

If Mr. Miro had an attention span as long as Dar's, he might remember who the Turks would consider to be the "big brother" in this tightly-knit family.
Posted by: Steve White   2003-8-1 11:23:08 AM  

#5  I see no wrong in improving the trade, sure Syria had a bad record in backing terror, but they have shown their will to distance themselves from terror aiding. It will be good if Syria gets out of isolation back into international community.
Posted by: GU   2003-8-1 10:47:29 AM  

#4  Hmmm. The Turkish comment (more money - whoop de whoop) wasn't anywhere near as enthusiastic as the Syrian comment (brilliant future). I wonder if this is general theme in the Turkish newspapers.
Posted by: mhw   2003-8-1 8:30:27 AM  

#3  Excuse me if I'm confused about that reference to "proximity."

Like continental drift is going to make enough difference in putting space between Ankara and Damascus in historical time?
Posted by: Hiryu   2003-8-1 7:07:52 AM  

#2  Yes, but that's all in the past now. Your attention span is entirely too long...
Posted by: Fred   2003-8-1 1:50:58 AM  

#1   I thought Syria backed the PKK during the 1990s until Turkey threatened them with war.
Posted by: Dan Darling   2003-8-1 1:41:19 AM  

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