Turkey to take measures in case of border violations

ANKARA (AA) - April 12, 2012 - Turkey's foreign minister said on Thursday that Turkey would take measures in case of border violations. Ahmet Davutoglu said Turkey's border was at the same time NATO's border, and protecting Turkey's border as a security line could turn into an issue concerning all allies. "In case of any border violation, we reserve the right to take any measures by using our national capabilities and we also continue our consultations and work with NATO members," Davutoglu told reporters in Ankara. Davutoglu said Turkey had always stood by Syrian people, and would continue to do so in humanitarian sense.  "We not only investigate whether this incident is an individual and instant incident, but also closely monitor developments," Davutoglu said on the recent cross-border clashes along Turkish-Syria border.  Davutoglu said cease-fire had been declared on Thursday morning, and Turkey was also monitoring those developments. The minister said international observers should go to Syria, and conditions in which Syrian people could peacefully express their demands should be provided. "In case all these are achieved, a new era can begin, however it is too early to say something," Davutoglu said. Davutoglu said Turkey had asked the United Nations (UN) and NATO to record the recent border violation, adding that it was so normal for Turkey to take measures to closely monitor developments in a neighboring country with which it had a long border. Two Syrians died and 21 others were wounded in clashes between Syrian security forces and opponents early on Monday. The injured Syrians crossed into Turkey and were hospitalized in Kilis.  Also, a Turkish police officer Ali Kaplan and translator Sevgi Topal, working in a container shelter site in Kilis, were slightly wounded when Syrian security forces opened fire on opponents.