_ 516 _ fol. 446 If we took Basra, what would we do? It is not possible to maintain it, if we hand it over to the Arabs it would at once be lost, and if we destroy it, it will at once be rebuilt. And if we take Basra, will it ever be safe from Turks? No, because the fear there has always will remain. If by taking Basra there were no longer any fear of the Turks, then Perhaps this enterprise could be undertaken, although it would be rash, ever knowing that then forward there would be nothing to fear. And supposing that we have taken Basra, and we can maintain it, will the Turks leave the hundred established places they have from Basra to Babylon for obtaining their timber and building for fleet? They cannot be prevented from doing this, because for this, it would be necessary to have a fleet and a permanent presence, which will not be possible to maintain. If we tried this, the Turks would make war on us through the Strait of Ormuz, and build their fleet on the Euphrates River, and only God can prevent this. As for the opinion of some that we should build a fortress on the island of [Murgi], to this I ask how this fortress can be maintained if it is closely surrounded by so many strong enemies, bearing in mind the danger in
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