Military exercise by U.S., Israel, Turkey makes waves
Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Wednesday, January 17, 2001
NICOSIA — The current naval exercise by Israel, Turkey and the
United States is causing ripples throughout the Middle East.
Iran and several of its Arab allies have already complained of the
search-and-rescue exercise. The maneuvers in the Mediterranean off the
Israeli coast began on Sunday and will end on Thursday.
Teheran has condemned the exercises and said they represent a
belligerent act. "Teheran believes that the marine exercises are hostile
measures against the will of the world of Islam that supports the cause of
the defenseless Palestinians," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi
said.
Turkey is contributing a gunship and two frigates for the Reliant
Mermaid-3 exercise. The United States and Israel are contributing warships,
fighter-jets and helicopters.
A Turkish military communique said the exercise is taking place off the
Israeli coast. The statement said Israel is deploying three naval vessels,
two aircraft and two helicopters.
Wednesday, January 17, 2001
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