Turkish PM admonishes Israel president over Gaza

DAVOS, — Turkey's prime minister stalked off the stage at the World Economic Forum red-faced yesterday after reproaching Israel's president over the Gaza offensive by saying "You kill people."

The packed audience, which included President Barack Obama's close adviser Valerie Jarrett, appeared stunned as Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Israeli President Shimon Peres raised their voices and traded accusations.

Peres was passionate in his defence of Israel's three-week offensive against Hamas militants, launched in reaction to eight years of rocket fire aimed at Israeli territory. As he spoke, Peres often turned towards Erdogan, who in his remarks had criticised the Israeli blockade of Gaza, saying it was an "open air prison, isolated from the rest of the world" and referred to the Palestinian death toll of about 1,300, more than half of those civilians. Thirteen Israelis also died.

"Why did they fire rockets? There was no siege against Gaza," Peres said, his voice rising in emotion. "Why did they fight us, what did they want? There was never a day of starvation in Gaza."

The heated debate with Israel and Turkey at the centre was significant because of the key role Turkey has played as a moderator between Israel and Syria. Erdogan appeared to express a sense of disappointment when he recounted how he had met with the Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert days before the offensive, and believed they were close to reaching terms for a face-to-face meeting with Syrian leaders.

Obama's new Mideast envoy, George Mitchell, will be in Turkey for talks on Sunday.

Erdogan was angry when a panel moderator cut off his remarks in response to an impassioned monologue by Peres defending Israel's offensive against the Hamas rulers of Gaza.

"I find it very sad that people applaud what you said," Erdogan said. "You killed people. And I think that it is very wrong."

The angry exchange followed an hour-long debate at the forum attended by world leaders in Davos. Erdogan tried to rebut Peres as the discussion was ending, asking the moderator, Washington Post columnist David Ignatius, to let him speak once more.

"Only a minute," Ignatius replied.

"Mr Peres, you are older than me. Your voice is too loud," Erdogan told Peres, saying his emotion belied a guilty conscience.

"You kill people," Erdogan told the 85-year-old Israeli leader. "I remember the children who died on beaches. I remember two former prime ministers who said they felt very happy when they were able to enter Palestine on tanks."

When Erdogan was asked to stop, he angrily stalked off, leaving fellow panellists UN Secretary-General Ban-Ki moon and Arab League Secretary Amr Moussa.

"When it comes to killing, you know it too well," the Turkish leader said.

When the moderator tried to cut short Erdogan's remarks, saying it was past time to adjourn for dinner, he answered in frustration, "Don't interrupt me. You are not allowing me to speak."

He then said: "I will not come to Davos again."

Ultimately, Erdogan stressed he left not because of a dispute with Peres but because he was not given time to respond to the Israeli leader's remarks. Erdogan also complained that Peres had 25 minutes while he was only given 12 minutes.

"I did not target at all in any way the Israeli people, President Peres, or the Jewish people," Erdogan told a news conference afterwards.

"I am a prime minister, a leader who has specifically expressly stated that anti-Semitism is a crime against humanity," he said.

Peres and Erdogan raised their voices — highly unusual at the elite gathering of corporate and world leaders, which is usually marked by polite dialogue.

Moussa, a former Egyptian foreign minister, said Erdogan's action was understandable.

"Mr Erdogan said what he wanted to say and then he left. That's all. He was right." Of Israel, he said, "they don't listen."

Erdogan brushed past reporters outside the hall. His wife appeared upset. "All Peres said was a lie. It was unacceptable," she said, eyes glistening.

"I have known Shimon Peres for many years and I also know Erdogan. I have never seen Shimon Peres so passionate as he was today. I think he felt Israel was being attacked by so many in the international community. He felt isolated," said former Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik.

"I was very sad that Erdogan left. This was an expression of how difficult this situation is."

Earlier yesterday, Israeli election front-runner Benjamin Netanyahu told another session that keeping nuclear weapons out of Iran's hands was more important than the economy because the financial meltdown is reversible.

"What is not reversible is the acquisition of nuclear weapons by a fanatic radical regime ... We have never had, since the dawn of the nuclear age, nuclear weapons in the hands of such a fanatical regime," said Netanyahu, who is seeking to return to the Israeli prime minister's office.

Iran maintains that it is seeking nuclear power for peaceful purposes and not for a weapons programme.

An Iranian official in Davos appeared to extend a hand to the Obama administration as discussion broadened to include Iran, oil and what might be expected from the new leaders in Washington.

Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said Tehran would take a "cooperative approach" with the US as long as it saw changes that go beyond words.

"We do believe that if the new administration of the United States, as Mr Obama says, is going to change its policies not in saying but practice, they will find in the region a cooperative approach and reaction," Mottaki said.

Obama has stressed the importance of engaging Iran, a country the Bush administration often singled out as the most dangerous in the Middle East. — AP

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EPL-Liverpool overtaken by Chelsea

Mido marked his Wigan debut with a goal as Steve Bruce's side held Liverpool to a 1-1 draw in their Premier League clash at the JJB Stadium on Wednesday night.

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Two goals from Kalou against Boro fired Chelsea into second place in the Premier League after Liverpool were held to a draw with Wigan

The Egyptian, signed on loan from Middlesbrough, sent Jose Reina the wrong way from the spot after Lucas had fouled Jason Koumas to cancel out Yossi Benayoun's opener with nine minutes remaining.

Fernando Torres had headed against the post from Steven Gerrard's cross before Benayoun put the visitors ahead in the 41st minute.

Javier Mascherano's through-ball picked out the Israeli's run and he skipped past keeper Mike Pollitt before finding the net from the tightest of angles, the ball shaving the near post on its way in.

The draw leaves Liverpool two points behind league leaders Manchester United, who have a game in hand on all their title rivals.

Chelsea moved back up to second, ahead of Liverpool on goal difference, after Salomon Kalou's brace gave them a 2-0 win over Middlesbrough.

Boro failed to clear Frank Lampard's corner and Kalou lashed a volley in to the roof of the net from inside the after 58 minutes.

And the Ivory Coast international sealed the win in the 81st minute with a close-range header.

Manchester City added to Newcastle United's relegation worries with a 2-1 win at Eastlands.

Robinho, starting after a week plagued by off-field concerns, played in Shaun Wright-Phillips to fire the opening goal under Steve Harper in the 17th minute.

Things went from bad to worse for Joe Kinnear's side as Michael Owen went off injured in the 19th minute and Craig Bellamy, on his debut, netted 13 minutes from time with a smart finish from the edge of the area.

Andy Carroll's tap-in after David Edgar had robbed Wayne Bridge, another City debutant, and sent in a low cross gave Newcastle hope of snatching a point, but the home side held on.

Arsenal's faint title hopes faded even further despite Robin van Persie's stoppage-time leveller against Everton at Goodison Park.

The Dutchman controlled Abou Diaby's long ball on the left side of the area before crashing a fine shot inside the far post.

Tim Cahill's towering header from Leighton Baines' left-wing cross, which he directed back across Manuel Almunia, had given Everton a 61st-minute lead.

West Ham continued their bid for a European place with a 2-0 home win over Hull.

They missed the chance to go ahead in the 21st minute when Carlton Cole was fouled in the area. Matt Duke, preferred to Boaz Myhill in the Hull goal, dived to his left to brilliantly claw away Mark Noble's penalty with one hand.

But the Hammers did take the lead 11 minutes later when David Di Michele fired Cole's inswinging cross from the left into the roof of the net at the back post.

Cole doubled the hosts' lead six minutes after the break when he stabbed the ball into an open goal after Di Michele's angled shot from the left had come back off the near post.

Benni McCarthy made up for an earlier penalty miss with an 87th-minute equaliser to earn Blackburn a 2-2 draw with Bolton, which leaves Rovers a point above the drop zone.

The South African scrambled the ball in after Christopher Samba's knock-down had been played across the face of goal by Jason Roberts.

McCarthy had earlier seen his penalty saved by Jussi Jaaskelainen after Stephen Warnock's 66th-minute drive brought Rovers back into the game at 2-1.

In the first half, Ariza Makukula drove the ball across the face of goal and Matthew Taylor got to the ball ahead of Andre Ooijer at the far post to sidefoot home a 12th-minute opener.

Kevin Davies made it two 10 minutes before the break when he reacted quickest to score from close range after Rovers keeper Paul Robinson had superbly blocked his initial effort.(ESPN)

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AC Milan to keep Beckam for E4.5m

AC Milan are willing to pay a £4.5m transfer fee for David Beckham to remain at the San Siro but, according to chief executive Adriano Galliani, LA Galaxy are yet to agree to a deal.


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David Beckham celebrated his first goal as a Serie A player at the weekend.

Beckham's five-year deal with the MLS club has a break clause inserted that means he can leave California for free in October. Milan aim to offer cash to tempt Galaxy to allow the 33-year-old to stay in Italy. Reports in England suggest that Milan, having held discussions with his American club believe that £4.5m will be enough to get that clause activated.
"If Beckham comes to an agreement with Galaxy, we are ready to pay a figure. In the coming days we will meet his advisors," Galliani told Sky Sport 24.

"If Los Angeles Galaxy decide not to sell him, they won't sell him."

"The player wants to stay with us but even he knows he must return to America."

Beckham, who moved to Milan to prove his fitness to England boss Fabio Capello, has been a first-choice starter for the Rossoneri and grabbed his first goal at the weekend in a 4-1 rout of Bologna.

His post-match press conference seemed to open the door of an extension of his stay and manager Carlo Ancelotti and Milan owner and Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi have both spoken of his readiness to retain the former England captain.

British tabloid reports suggest wife Victoria is less keen on staying in Italy and does not want to uproot their three sons after their previous spell in a non-English speaking country with Real Madrid.

Galliani said Milan would be willing to soften the blow of any loss in earnings if Beckham broke his highly lucrative deal with the Galaxy and MLS.


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