Turkey wants a new Syria, says defense minister Yilmaz

Turkey wants to see the Syrian crisis defused quickly according to the will of the Syrian nation and wants to see a new Syria where democracy, law and human rights predominate and voters can choose the government they wish to have in elections, Defense Minister Ismet Yilmaz said in a response to a parliamentary question. In mid-August, independent Istanbul deputy Levent Tuzel asked the Ministry of Defense whether Turkey had provided FIM-92 Stinger missiles, surface-to-air missiles which can be adapted to fire from ground vehicles or helicopters, to the Syrian opposition amid allegations that Turkey aids and abets the Syrian opposition. In response to Tuzel's question, Yilmaz said Turkey wants to see the neighbor with which it shares its longest border become a country where the crisis will be overcome according to the Syrian nation's legitimate expectations; where there is respect for law, democracy and human rights and where the public is able to elect the government it desires. Stating that in an effort to secure a democratic, peaceful country on its doorstep, Turkey participates in international and regional efforts with a peaceful approach, Yilmaz refuted reports in foreign media that assert Turkey is actively arming the opposition and underlined that it is important not to credit these reports, which he defined as "a couple of groundless, malicious assertions." Yilmaz also mentioned border security in his response. Noting that Turkey is ready to take any measures to secure its Syrian border, Yilmaz said, "Our primary wish is for stability according to the Syrian nation's rightful demands and expectations and for a transitional period to achieve politically stable ground in Syria." The Syrian civil war that started in March 2011 has led to more than 100,000 deaths and many more wounded. Since the conflict began, 2 million Syrians have become refugees in neighboring countries. Turkey, currently hosting some 500,000 Syrians, is concerned about the influx of refugees and unrest spreading across the border. In an effort to end the bloodshed in Syria, Turkey has been trying to rally international and regional support to end the crisis that intensified with the use of poison gas on Aug. 21.