BBC - London - 10/06/1998
The Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz has said he is giving Syria a final warning, as tensions between the two countries rise
following Turkish accusations that Syria is supporting Kurdish separatist rebels.
"We are warning Syria for the last time. We want them to stop their support for separatist terrorism and stop their policies of enmity.
We are waiting for a reply from Syria," he said.
Earlier Mr Yilmaz demanded that Syria hand over Abdullah Ocalan, the leader of the Kurdish separatist PKK, who is believed to be
in Damascus.
The Turkish prime minister described Syria as "the headquarters of terrorism in the Middle East".
Diplomatic efforts
President Mubarak of Egypt is meeting the Turkish President, Suleyman Demirel, in Ankara, in an effort to defuse the crisis.
On Sunday Mr Mubarak was in Damascus for talks with Syria's President Hafez al Assad.
Following that meeting, the Egyptian Foreign Minister, Amr Moussa, expressed some optimism, saying: "It is not too difficult for a
diplomatic solution and does not need escalation or military action."
Iran has also offered to diffuse the tension. The Iranian Foreign Minister, Kamal Kharrazi, said that Turkey should "maintain
self-restraint because military threats will not solve anything."
US concerned but 'understanding'
The United States has expressed its concern over the situation.
The State Department spokesman James Rubin said the US had been in touch with both Turkey and Syria and had been "urging
restraint".
He said: "Clearly the fact that the PKK has an ability to operate from some of these areas inside Syria and other places is a major
problem."
He said the US had in the past expressed understanding for Turkey's position on the matter, but added: "Let me be clear: we very
much don't want this to go to the next step because in this case ... it would be a grave risk of a much larger conflict."
Arab countries support Syria
Many Arab nations have expressed their support for Syria, but have also called on both counties to resolve their row peacefully.
Among the Arab countries reported to side with Syria are Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Oman.
The Arab League has accused Israel of being behind the crisis.
General Ahmed Bin Hilli, Deputy Secretary General of the Arab League, said: "Israel ... benefits from such a tense atmosphere in
implementing its aggressive policies in Arab land and stalling peace."
A recent agreement of military co-operation between Turkey and Israel has angered many Arab states that feel threatened despite
Turkish assurances.
Turkish-Syrian relations have never been easy, but in the past week Ankara raised the stakes.
Syria has repeatedly denied helping the PKK or providing a refuge for its leader.
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