Adapazari, Turkey - Mr Ehud Barak, on the first official visit to Turkey by an Israeli prime minister, yesterday formally opened an Israeli-built village for survivors of the August 17th earthquake that killed nearly 20,000 people.
"With mixed feelings of satisfaction and tremendous sorrow, we mark the transfer of this village to the Turkish people and its government," Mr Barak said, flanked by his Turkish opposite number, Mr Bulent Ecevit.
"The Jewish people have greatly suffered throughout history, and whenever they suffered, they found the Turkish people by their side," Mr Ecevit said. "When we were writhing in agony on August 17, we found (them) by our side."