CICA Leaders in Ankara Condemn Israeli Attack on the Freedom Flotilla

CICA condemns Israeli attack on Flotilla

Press TV, Tuesday, 08 Jun 2010 18:14:40 GMT

All participating members at the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) have denounced the recent Israeli attack on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla.

In a final statement issued on Tuesday, the members, except Israel, "expressed their grave concern and condemnation for the actions undertaken" by Israeli forces.

The May 31 assault by Israeli commandos against the Gaza-bound aid convoy in international waters left at least 20 people dead and dozens others injured.

The CICA statement also described the brutal attack as a "blatant violation" of international law and "deeply deplored" the loss of civilian lives, AFP reported.

"This is a clear manifestation of how Israel has isolated itself," Turkish President Abdullah Gul said at the end of the security summit in Istanbul.

Earlier in the day, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon insisted that the international community must be given a credible role in the probe of the Israeli attack.

The UN chief's view is that "credible international involvement is crucial to a prompt, credible, impartial and transparent investigation" of the attack, UN spokesman Farhan Haq said.

The UN reiterated its call after Tel Aviv on Sunday dismissed a UN Human Rights Council request for an international investigation, arguing that it would conduct its own investigation.

The UN chief had called for the establishment of a committee headed by former New Zealand Prime Minister Geoffrey Palmer to probe the assault on pro-Palestinian activists.

AGB/CS/MMN

Iranian President, Turkish PM Discuss Ties, Int'l Developments

Tuesday, 08 Jun 2010

TEHRAN (FNA)-

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday discussed bilateral ties and cooperation between the two states and exchanged views over regional and international issues.

At the meeting held on the sidelines of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), the two officials expressed preparedness to bolster ties and cooperation between the two Muslim neighboring nations in all bilateral, regional and international fields.

Ahmadinejad voiced pleasure over the growing trend of the two states' mutual cooperation.

He further noted the last week raid on an international aid convoy heading for the Gaza Strip, and expressed his deep regret over the massacre of a group of Turkish nationals in the incident.

20 international human rights activists, including 9 Turkish nationals were killed by the Israeli soldiers in the last Monday incident. Some members of the European parliaments, former western diplomats, reporters and human rights activists were among other victims of Israel's brutal act.

According to witnesses, over 100 Israeli commandos supported by military choppers boarded a Turkish ship that was leading the six-ship convoy in international waters. 80 activists were also wounded in the incident while scores more were arrested and detained by the Israeli regime.

Also during the meeting in Turkey, Erdogan praised Tehran's key role in the settlement of regional problems, and thanked Iran's active participation in the two-day CICA conference.

China calls on CICA members to boost coordination in security, economy

ISTANBUL, Turkey, June 8, 2010 (Xinhua) --

Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo on Tuesday called for member states of an Asian forum to boost coordination to safeguard security in the region and seek economic development.

Speaking here as a special representative of President Hu Jintao at a summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-building Measures in Asia (CICA), Dai said peace and development increasingly had been the theme of the world in the 18 years since CICA's creation.

"The world we are living in today is a world of growing diversity, pluralism and multi-polarity. It shall not tolerate any form of hegemony or any single set of values and beliefs. Gone are the days when one, two, or several countries decide the world affairs," Dai said.

Dai called on CICA members to make the best of multilateral cooperation mechanisms to boost interaction and mutual trust in the region, safeguard security and seek development.

He called for a new concept of security featuring mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and coordination among CICA members to advance peace and security in the region. While protecting their own nations, they should respect one another's key concerns and core interests.

Dai called on CICA members to coordinate their efforts to fight terrorism, secessionism, extremism, drug trafficking and cross-border organized crime.

He also proposed CICA countries seek common development and prosperity by strengthening macroeconomic policy coordination, gradually advancing regional cooperation and free trade arrangements, and constantly expanding cooperation in trade, science and technology, investment, energy, resources, transportation and telecommunications.

Dai said CICA states should work together for a harmomius Asia by embracing one another with openness and friendlieness.

China would never seek hegemony in Asia or the world, even after it is developed, and would work with other countries in Asia to advance regional cooperation, security and prosperity, he said.

CICA was established in 1993 as a forum for dialogue and consultations and promotion of confidence building measures among its members on security and development. It now has 20 member countries from East Asia, Central Asia, South East Asia, South Asia and the Middle East.

Editor: Lin Li

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