Israel will not seek the extradition from Turkey of the two Arab terrorists who attacked passengers of a Tel Aviv-bound El Al plane at Istanbul’s Yasilkov Airport, the Cabinet decided at its regular session today.
The reasons behind that decision were understood to include two main considerations. One was that it was not clear whether Israel has legal grounds for an extradition request. There is no direct extradition treaty between Israel and Turkey, though both are signatories to a multi-lateral treaty through which extradition could theoretically be arranged.
The other is that Israel does not want to embarrass Turkey by requesting extradition of the killers. It was indicated that such a request could put Suleiman Demurel’s coalition government into a difficult situation.
A refusal could have a negative reaction in world public opinion but an agreement could evoke considerable public criticism in Turkey, particularly from the right-wing pro-Moslem National Salvation Party, the second largest in the coalition. Moreover, it was believed, agreement would certainly undermine Turkey’s relations with the Arab world, the support of which Turkey is courting for its struggle with Greece over oil exploration in the Aegean Sea and over Cyprus.
MAY BE EXTRADITED TO LIBYA OR LEBANON
It was reported that as far as Israel is concerned, the best solution would be that the two terrorists be tried and sentenced in Turkey. However, there were several indications from Ankara, capital of Turkey, that Turkey is considering other, and from Israel’s point of view, less attractive alternatives. Israel’s diplomatic machinery has been put to work to negate such intentions.
Turkey’s interior Minister has suggested that Turkey might dispose of the problem by extraditing the two gunmen to an Arab country, either Libya or Lebanon, the only Arab country with a direct extradition treaty with Turkey.
But it was also reported here that Turkish government officials have not yet decided how to handle the problem and the impression here is that Turkey is in no rush to deal with it. Turkey will probably wait until the end of this month when the assault no longer will be not news in the world’s media and the meeting of the non-aligned nations now meeting in Colombo, Sri Lanka, will have concluded. Airport Security Gaps Continue.
In a related development; Davar reported today that in spite of the terrorist attack and the new security measures at the Istanbul airport there are still “severe security gaps” at this airport. The paper also disclosed, quoting what it termed a reliable source in Ankara, that Israeli representatives had demanded several times that the airport authorities separate passengers in transit from other passengers at the airport. This request had been rejected, Davar reported.
The two terrorists were able to gain access to the passengers departure lounge because they were in transit from Rome where they had arrived earlier in the day from Tripoli, Libya. Davar reported that the terrorists had planned to board a Pakistani airliner after committing their murderous deed. They were captured. instead, by Turkish police after a furious gun battle.
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