Olmert hopes for Turkey breakthrough on Eli Cohen

Speaks with executed spy's widow before embarking on official visit to Turkey, says he expects progress on efforts to bring Cohen's remains from Syria to Israel; prime minister also expected to discuss Ankara's trade relations with Iran
Ronny Sofer

As he leaves for Turkey on Wednesday evening, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said he expects to achieve progress in the efforts to repatriate the remains of the Mossad spy Eli Cohen, who was captured and executed in Syria in 1965.

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The prime minister is relying on the mediation of Ankara and the connection Turkish Prime Minister enjoys with the Syrian leadership. Olmert spoke of the matter with Cohen's widow Nadia prior to leaving Israel and received her blessing.

The Turks, believes Olmert, are both able and willing to help.

Cohen, perhaps the most famous of all Israeli spies, operated on behalf of the Mossad in Syria during the early sixties, gaining the trust of Syria's military brass and political leadership and was even considered for the position of undersecretary of Syrian defense.

Cohen collected crucial intelligence data for years until he was captured in 1965. His interrogators first demanded he continue his ties with Israel and pass on false intelligence but Cohen used the opportunity to tell of his capture with a specially prepared code.

Cohen was hung on May 18th 1965 in the city center of Damascus and was buried in Syria. Despite a campaign waged by both the State of Israel and his family, the Syrians refuse to allow Cohen to be buried in Israel.

Turkey hopeful mediator

During his visit to Ankara Olmert is expected to discuss a series of political and bilateral issues, including Turkey's trade relationship with Iran, the passage from Turkey to Iran by land and the ways Turkey will support the international sanctions against Tehran's nuclear ambitions. On this final matter the PM's Office isn't raising its expectations, despite Turkey's NATO membership and desire to join the European Union.

The Palestinian conflict will also be on the agenda. On Monday Olmert is set to meet with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for talks regarding the political horizon the US and Israel seek for the Palestinians along with Abbas. This depends on the political standing of the Palestinian unity government, should one truly be established as was agreed between the PA factions in Mecca.

Turkey sees itself as possible mediators on the Palestinian issue as they seek to become more involved in the Middle East. Likewise Turkey has economic ties with Israel, estimated as being worth some $2.1 billion and strong tourist ties – more than 400,000 Israeli tourists visit Turkey per year.

Turkey is also interested in establishing an industrial zone near the Erez crossing along the Gaza border.

Olmert will kick-off his visit meeting with the Ankara Jewish community. On Thursday will first visit the grave of Atatürk before meeting with the Turkish president, prime minister, parliament chairman, minister

of foreign affairs and minister of defense.

The last prime minister to visit Turkey was Ariel Sharon in 2001 while Prime Minister Erdoğan visited Jerusalem in 2005. Olmert himself visited Ankara before in 2004 with a delegation of some 30 businessmen.

The prime minister hopes to expand Israel's economic relationship with Turkey as well as strengthen Israel's strategic and military ties with one of the region's moderate Muslim countries.