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MIDEAST > Israeli Navy to stage drills in coordination with Greece

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A man looks on as an Israeli navy boat maneuvers just outside the port of Ashdod in this June 5, 2010 file photograph. Reuters photo

A man looks on as an Israeli navy boat maneuvers just outside the port of Ashdod in this June 5, 2010 file photograph. Reuters photo

The Israeli Navy is set to hold exercises using live ammunition off Greece’s Aegean island of Milos on July 18 with the cooperation of – but no participation from – the Greek military, Greek media have reported.

Only Israeli warships will be involved in the shooting exercise, while coordination and monitoring will be performed by radar located on nearby Mt. Parnitha.

No information was available about the type or number of ships Israel will use during the military exercises.

A NAVTEX, or navigational telex, has already been issued to ships and airplanes in the area regarding the exercises which will be using live fire.

Turkey had been a close ally of Israel, but the countries’ relations hit rock-bottom after Israel stormed a Turkish-led aid flotilla to Gaza two years ago, killing nine Turkish activists.

July/16/2012

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Blue Beyond

7/16/2012 10:18:44 PM

Turkey's relations with Israel hit "rock bottom" because P.M. Erdogan felt that good relations did not serve his ambition of Turkish hegemony over the Sunni world. The greater loss appears to be Turkey's. Turkey has trade relations with Middle Eastern economic basket cases like Egypt only and has lost influence with the U.S. government exercised on its behalf in the past by Jewish-American lobby groups. Turks should question the wisdom of their P.M.

Vangelis Denaxas

7/16/2012 10:12:01 PM

I look the comments of the Turks here and I remember what I had once read in a historical book, about what the British and the American agencies were saying in their reports from the 40's for the Turks: "Brave people with dignity, but very suspicious and stubborn with everyone around them..."

US Observer

7/16/2012 9:21:28 PM

@ Murat, ah I get it, you were doing your best Erdogan impression ;) @ ilker, I agree.

Brit in Turkey

7/16/2012 7:18:58 PM

@Vangelis Denaxas - Relationships soured when Israeli troops murdered 9 Turks.

ilker avni

7/16/2012 6:29:33 PM

Turks have nothing to fear from Israel or Greece.

Chris Green

7/16/2012 6:00:12 PM

Dorus - I was being deliberately provocative as sometimes I can be, but were my earlier point to be correct then Turkey have a significant head start. By the way, I happen to know that there will be an additional and unexpected addition to the Turkish Stars display team this coming Friday during the Peace & Freedom Day celebratory air display :-)

Murat

7/16/2012 5:48:10 PM

Observer, that is exactly the kind of sentiment that someone may eventually try to disporve and exactly why I made that comment.

mara mcglothin

7/16/2012 5:11:35 PM

So what? Yawn

US Observer

7/16/2012 4:33:27 PM

Why Murat, should they fear a good tongue lashing from the PM? We all know that's all that will happen.

Vangelis Denaxas

7/16/2012 4:16:12 PM

Once upon a time Turks were together with Israelis in everything and they were doing together drills. Now that Israelis do drills together with Greece suddenly everything is dangerous and evil for Turkey. It is the so called "two standards policy".
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