Turkey Unmasked

06-09-2010
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The Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center is one of the most respected organizations providing background information on terror activities throughout the Middle East. 

Their latest report on last week's "Freedom Flotilla" is powerful. It's perhaps the most up-to-date and revealing information published on the link between the IHH (the group behind the flotilla and its violent confrontation with Israeli commandoes) and the Turkish government. 

The report shows the extent to which the operation was pre-meditated and how Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan meant it for political gain in the Muslim world.  Here's a couple of excerpts from the report: 

"The passengers, including the IHH operatives, stated that there were close relations between the organization and Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and that the Turkish government was involved in preparations for the flotilla. The statements reinforce the original assessment that the objective of the flotilla was not merely to bring humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, but focused on provocation and a violent confrontation with Israel.

"According to statements from the passengers, Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan maintains close contacts with IHH. The flotilla set sail with the full knowledge and agreement of Erdogan, who expressed personal interest in its success and his intention to exploit it promote his status in Turkey and the Arab-Muslim world. Passengers said that before the flotilla set sail, Prime Minister Erdogan constructed a scenario based on a possible confrontation with Israel, which he could use to further his own needs. The statements were supported by descriptions found in files on laptop computers belonging to the passengers."

You can read the full report here.

For those interested in what really took place during last week's confrontation aboard the Mavi Marmara, it's invaluable information. As former deputy national security advisor for the Bush administration, Elliot Abrams, told us last week, after what happened, it's Turkey, not Israel, that should be investigated. 

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