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Turkish Press
July 8 2005
Erdogan: If We Cannot Establish Global Peace, We Cannot Deal With
Global Terror
SAN FRANCISCO - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has
indicated that ``if we cannot establish global peace, we cannot deal
with global terror.``
Erdogan delivered a speech at a meeting organized and co-sponsored by
"World Affairs Council of Northern California" and "Commonwealth Club
of California" in Fairmont Hotel. Dozens of foreign diplomats were
among the audience that listened to Erdogan.
Erdogan stressed that joint efforts must be made to prevent threats
and terror. ``This is not something I am saying at the moment. I
began to talk about terrorism as of the first day our party --Justice
& Development Party (AKP)- was established. We have been experiencing
terrorism well before September 11. Since 1978, we have lost over
40,000 dear lives to terror. I believe that there is no other example
(like Turkey`s) in the whole world,`` told Erdogan.
Erdogan remarked that, right after the September 11th attacks, he
sent a letter to the U.S. ambassador in Ankara urging the embassy to
help create a joint platform against terror. ``In my letter, I wrote
that terror has no religion, nationality, ethnicity or homeland. We
do not know when, why, and where terror may strike,`` noted Erdogan.
``Just last week, Turkey lost six soldiers in a mine attack on a
train in eastern Turkey. The same terror hit London after New York,
Istanbul and Madrid. As Turks, we condemn the vicious bombing
incidents in London``, commented Erdogan.
Erdogan stressed that terror is a result or conclusion that is caused
by poverty and ignorance. ``Terror has no boundaries. The United
States or Spain or Turkey cannot deal with the terrorist alone. There
must be serious cooperation in the fight against terror,`` said
Erdogan.
According to Erdogan, in 2004, the money spent on weapons globally
was approximately 900 billion USD. ``If we use a portion of this 900
billion USD in eliminating poverty and ignorance, would not we be
able to end terrorism? The U.S. must be the leading country helping
the poor and ignorant,`` stated Erdogan.
ARMENIA
In reference to Armenia, Erdogan reiterated that when his party came
to power in late 2002 cargo and charter flights between Yerevan and
Istanbul were authorized. ``A short while ago, we began working on
the restoration of the Armenian church on Akdamar island in Lake Van.
For this purpose, we have consulted with the Armenian Patriarch in
Istanbul and requested an Armenian architect. No one can say that we
are actually doing nothing for Armenia. We have no hatred towards
anyone or any group. Armenian lobbyists are working in some countries
to have decisions made against Turkey. The Council of Europe has
declared that Armenia is an occupier in Upper Karabagh. Armenians
must first of all, withdraw from Upper Karabagh,`` expressed Erdogan.
CYPRUS
On Cyprus, Erdogan mentioned that, although the Turkish Cypriots
accepted the Annan Plan and said `yes` to peace and brotherhood in
Cyprus, they have been excluded. ``Greek Cypriots were admitted into
the European Union. Turkish Cypriots are still facing international
isolation. What have the Turkish Cypriots done to deserve such an
isolation? How can human right activists justify discrimination that
Turkish Cypriots are facing in the island? The recent visit of the
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus by three U.S. congressmen was a
positive development aimed at breaking the political isolation of the
Turkish Cypriots,`` indicated Erdogan.
IRAQ
Asked about his thoughts on Iraq, Erdogan replied that the division
of Iraq into three separate states is a harbinger of a troubled era.
Of course, the Iraqi people will make the final decision, said
Erdogan.
In reference to the issue of headscarves in Turkey, Erdogan explained
that women do not wear, and in fact have never wore, headscarves in
official buildings. ``The problem has to do with not letting female
university students wear their headscarves. The society displays
conformity on the issue of headscarves. We must also reach an
agreement regarding the official buildings,`` told Erdogan.
Regarding the EU process for Turkey, Erdogan noted that Turkey`s
journey on the way to EU membership will be a tough one. ``However,
we do have a strong group of experts. Efforts will be spent on 35
separate chapters. We will do what is expected from us during the
negotiations,`` commented Erdogan.
July 8 2005
Erdogan: If We Cannot Establish Global Peace, We Cannot Deal With
Global Terror
SAN FRANCISCO - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has
indicated that ``if we cannot establish global peace, we cannot deal
with global terror.``
Erdogan delivered a speech at a meeting organized and co-sponsored by
"World Affairs Council of Northern California" and "Commonwealth Club
of California" in Fairmont Hotel. Dozens of foreign diplomats were
among the audience that listened to Erdogan.
Erdogan stressed that joint efforts must be made to prevent threats
and terror. ``This is not something I am saying at the moment. I
began to talk about terrorism as of the first day our party --Justice
& Development Party (AKP)- was established. We have been experiencing
terrorism well before September 11. Since 1978, we have lost over
40,000 dear lives to terror. I believe that there is no other example
(like Turkey`s) in the whole world,`` told Erdogan.
Erdogan remarked that, right after the September 11th attacks, he
sent a letter to the U.S. ambassador in Ankara urging the embassy to
help create a joint platform against terror. ``In my letter, I wrote
that terror has no religion, nationality, ethnicity or homeland. We
do not know when, why, and where terror may strike,`` noted Erdogan.
``Just last week, Turkey lost six soldiers in a mine attack on a
train in eastern Turkey. The same terror hit London after New York,
Istanbul and Madrid. As Turks, we condemn the vicious bombing
incidents in London``, commented Erdogan.
Erdogan stressed that terror is a result or conclusion that is caused
by poverty and ignorance. ``Terror has no boundaries. The United
States or Spain or Turkey cannot deal with the terrorist alone. There
must be serious cooperation in the fight against terror,`` said
Erdogan.
According to Erdogan, in 2004, the money spent on weapons globally
was approximately 900 billion USD. ``If we use a portion of this 900
billion USD in eliminating poverty and ignorance, would not we be
able to end terrorism? The U.S. must be the leading country helping
the poor and ignorant,`` stated Erdogan.
ARMENIA
In reference to Armenia, Erdogan reiterated that when his party came
to power in late 2002 cargo and charter flights between Yerevan and
Istanbul were authorized. ``A short while ago, we began working on
the restoration of the Armenian church on Akdamar island in Lake Van.
For this purpose, we have consulted with the Armenian Patriarch in
Istanbul and requested an Armenian architect. No one can say that we
are actually doing nothing for Armenia. We have no hatred towards
anyone or any group. Armenian lobbyists are working in some countries
to have decisions made against Turkey. The Council of Europe has
declared that Armenia is an occupier in Upper Karabagh. Armenians
must first of all, withdraw from Upper Karabagh,`` expressed Erdogan.
CYPRUS
On Cyprus, Erdogan mentioned that, although the Turkish Cypriots
accepted the Annan Plan and said `yes` to peace and brotherhood in
Cyprus, they have been excluded. ``Greek Cypriots were admitted into
the European Union. Turkish Cypriots are still facing international
isolation. What have the Turkish Cypriots done to deserve such an
isolation? How can human right activists justify discrimination that
Turkish Cypriots are facing in the island? The recent visit of the
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus by three U.S. congressmen was a
positive development aimed at breaking the political isolation of the
Turkish Cypriots,`` indicated Erdogan.
IRAQ
Asked about his thoughts on Iraq, Erdogan replied that the division
of Iraq into three separate states is a harbinger of a troubled era.
Of course, the Iraqi people will make the final decision, said
Erdogan.
In reference to the issue of headscarves in Turkey, Erdogan explained
that women do not wear, and in fact have never wore, headscarves in
official buildings. ``The problem has to do with not letting female
university students wear their headscarves. The society displays
conformity on the issue of headscarves. We must also reach an
agreement regarding the official buildings,`` told Erdogan.
Regarding the EU process for Turkey, Erdogan noted that Turkey`s
journey on the way to EU membership will be a tough one. ``However,
we do have a strong group of experts. Efforts will be spent on 35
separate chapters. We will do what is expected from us during the
negotiations,`` commented Erdogan.