Sistani Calls For End of Assad and Maliki Rule

The Shia spiritual leader Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani today called for removal of Iraqi and Syrian leaders to limit a growing sectarian conflict in the region. Sistani made the comments in Shia holy city of Najaf in southern Iraq during a meeting with visiting Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. (Al Siyassa/The Gulf Daily News, 15 November)

Grand Ayatollah Sistani’s objection to Syrian President Bashar Al Assad and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki staying in power puts him in direct conflict with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who backs both Syrian and Iraqi leaders. Iraqi Shia strongman Moqtada al-Sadr is an adherent of Sistani.

Davutoglu is the most senior Turkish official to visit Iraq in two years. After his meeting in Najaf, Davutoglu described Sistani as the “safety valve” of Iraq who stands against Shia-Sunni sectarian conflict in Iraq and the region.

Meanwhile, a bomber wearing a police uniform today detonated an explosives belt in a crowd of Shia pilgrims in the eastern Iraqi city of Al Sadiya, killing 35.

File photo: Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani (The Gulf Daily News)

Turkey: Israel Apology Not Linked to Iran, Syria

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said in televised remarks on Thursday that Israel's apology to Turkey for the 2010 raid on a Turkish aid ship has nothing to do with the conflict in Syria or Iran.

“There is no causal link between the Israeli apology and Turkey's Syria or Iran policies,” Davutoglu said. “Israel has been subjected to serious diplomatic pressure in every field. Israel saw that its room to maneuver had been restricted with regards to its bids for membership in some international organizations.” (Today’s Zaman, 29 March)

Davutoglu was probably referring to Turkish previous objections to Israel's participation in NATO activities as part of a Mediterranean partnership program. Israel is not a NATO member but is a member of Mediterranean Dialogue, a NATO outreach program, along with six other non-NATO countries.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu phoned Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan last week to offer an apology in a surprise move that came as a result of President Obama’s personal mediation, who joined the phone conversation that resulted in resumption of full relations between Israel and Turkey.

Netanyahu had said that concern over Syria's chemical weapons ending up in the hands of militant groups bordering Israel and Turkey had prompted the apology. “The fact that the crisis in Syria intensifies from moment to moment was the main consideration in my view,” the Israeli premier wrote on his Facebook page, insisting that Israel and Turkey need to communicate with each other on the Syrian crisis.

File photo: Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu (WorldBulletin/News Desk)

Iran Warns Turkey on Patriot Missiles

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast today warned Turkey that deploying the Patriot missile system “will not only not help solve the situation in Syria, it will actually make the situation more difficult and complicated as well.” (ISNA, 25 November)

Earlier today, Iran’s parliament speaker Ali Larijani returning from a trip to Syria and Turkey told reporters in Tehran that “The installation of such systems in the region has negative effects and will intensify problems in the region.” (IRNA, 25 November)

Syria has also called Turkey's request for the Patriot missiles “provocative,” and Russia said the move could increase risks in the conflict.

Turkey has asked NATO to deploy the system, designed to intercept aircraft or missiles, at its 900-km (560-mile) border with Syria. Turkey has said it wants to shore up security at its border as heavy fighting has often erupted between the Syrian rebels and government forces along the Turkish border. However, Iran and other supporters of Assad regime fear that the move could be the first step toward implementing a no-fly zone over Syrian airspace.

Turkey said no countries should be concerned by the use of Patriots.

“These systems are solely defensive mechanisms, and will not become active unless there is a direct threat to our country's security,” said Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. “The aim of this action is to protect Turkey's borders as much as possible at a time of crisis. The Patriots will be sent back when the risks to Turkey's security disappear.” (CNN Turk/Reuters, 25 November)

Turkey Incensed at Comments by Iran’s Military Chief

Blamed for Bloodshed in Syria

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said in Ankara today that he had warned his Iranian counterpart Ali Akbar Salehi “in a frank and friendly manner” against blaming Turkey for violence in Syria. Salehi was visiting Ankara yesterday after a visit to Damascus for talks with President Assad.

On Tuesday, Maj. Gen. Hassan Firouzabadi, the chairman of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, had blamed Turkey, alongside with Saudi Arabia and Qatar, for the bloodshed in Syria. Turkey was incensed by Firouzabadi’s comments.

"Such statements have the potential to harm Iran as well," Davutoglu told reporters. "We would expect these officials, both in Turkey and Iran, to think a few times before making any comments. Our position on the issue was explained to Mr Salehi in a frank and friendly manner," Davutoglu added.

Ahmadinejad Favored Nuke Compromise – WikiLeaks

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told visiting US Assistant Secretary of State Philip Gordon in late 2009 that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad sought a compromise on nuclear impasse with the West but faced fierce political pressure from hardliners and had to drop the idea. In the latest WikiLeaks cables published today, Ahmadinejad was reported as agreeing with a swap of most of the country’s low enriched uranium with 20% enriched reactor-ready fuel but faced hardline opposition and was not able to complete the deal.

The Turkish foreign minister was also quoted as saying that he had asked Ahmadinejad if the opposition was based on “psychological rather Substance.” Ahmadinejad’s answer was the former, adding that the leaders in Tehran needed to manage public perception before signing off on a deal with the West. Davutoglu characterized Ahmadinejad as more flexible than other senior members of the leadership in Tehran.

The Turkish foreign minister is regarded as very close to the Iranian leaders and his report of Admadinejad’s role during the intense Geneva negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program in 2009 could be credible.