US ‘concerned’ over Hamas-Turkey relations

The U.S. Department of State has conveyed its concerns about the relationship between Hamas and Turkey to Turkish officials, a day after Ankara said the leader of Hamas is "welcome in Turkey."

“Our position on Hamas has not changed. Hamas is a designated foreign terrorist organization that continues to engage in terrorist activity and demonstrated its intentions during the summer’s conflict in – with Israel,” U.S. State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki said during daily press briefing on Jan. 8.

Psaki's remarks came in response to a question about Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu’s statements that Khaled Mashaal, the head of Hamas’ political bureau, is "welcome in Turkey."

“We continue to raise our concerns about the relationship between Hamas and Turkey with senior Turkish officials, including after learning of Mashaal’s recent visit there. And we have urged the government of Turkey to press Hamas to reduce tensions and prevent violence,” she stated.

In late December 2014, Mashaal had made a surprise appearance at the ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) annual congress, standing side by side with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu while addressing the public in the Central Anatolian province of Konya...............http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/us-concerned-over-hamas-turkey-relations.aspx?pageID=238&nID=76702&NewsCatID=510
9/1/15
--
-
Related:

• Δίνουν ρόλο ηγέτη στην Τουρκία οι Παλαιστίνιοι. (θα κάνουμε αυτή την κόκκινη σημαία σύμβολο του αθώου)

• Davutoglu: Turkish flag 'symbol of protecting world's oppressed' ...

• Hamas leader Mashaal endorses Turkish leaders in surprise speech ...

• Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal Saturday praised Turkey as a "source of power" for all Muslims in gratitude to Turkey's leaders for supporting the Palestinian cause...