President Barack Obama
sought Monday to make American amends with the Islamic world after
eight years of tension, declaring in a speech to the Turkish parliament
that he is determined to have a “partnership with the
Muslim world.”
“Let me say this as clearly as I can: the United States is not – and
will never be — at war with Islam,” Obama said in remarks delivered in
Ankara.
“In fact, our partnership with the Muslim world is critical not just in
rolling back the violent ideologies that people of all faiths reject
but also to strengthen opportunities for all people.”
Obama’s declaration that the U.S. is not at war with Islam is certain to get huge play throughout the Arab world.
Former President George W. Bush said many times that Islam is a
religion of peace. In a 2003 interview with the
Arab news network Al Arabiya,
he said: “I believe that all the world, whether they be Muslim,
Christian, or any other religion, prays to the same God. That's what I
believe. I believe that Islam is a great religion that preaches peace.
Obama, seeking to mend strains with a critical ally that bridges
Europe and the
Middle East, acknowledged “difficulties these last few years.”
Turkey, the only majority Muslim country in
NATO, refused use of its territory as an invasion route to Iraq.
“I know that the trust that binds us has been strained, and I know that
strain is shared in many places where the Muslim faith is practiced,”
Obama said. “Our focus will be on what we can do, in partnership with
people across the Muslim world, to advance our common hopes, and our
common dreams. And when people look back on this time, let it be said
of America that we extended the hand of friendship.
“There is an old Turkish proverb: ‘You cannot put out fire with
flames.’ America knows this. Turkey knows this. There are some who must
be met with force. But force alone cannot solve our problems, and it is
no alternative to extremism. The future must belong to those who
create, not those who destroy. That is the future we must work for, and
we must work for it together.
The Arab
satellite news channels Al Jazeera and Al Arabiyia carried the address live. Here is the full text of the president’s remarks. :
Mr.
Speaker, Madam Deputy Speaker, distinguished members, I am honored to
speak in this chamber, and I am committed to renewing the alliance
between our nations and the friendship between our people.
This is my first trip overseas as
President of the United States. I have been to the G-20 Summit in London, the
NATO Summit in Strasbourg and Kehl, and the
European Union Summit in
Prague. Some people have asked me if I chose to continue my travels to
Ankara and
Istanbul to send a message. My answer is simple: Evet. Turkey is a critical ally. Turkey is an important part of
Europe. And Turkey and the United States must stand together – and work together – to overcome the challenges of our time.
This morning I had the privilege of visiting the tomb of the great
founder of your Republic. I was deeply impressed by this beautiful
memorial to a man who did so much to shape the course of history. But
it is also clear that the greatest monument to Ataturk’s life is not
something that can be cast in stone and marble. His greatest legacy is
Turkey’s strong and secular democracy, and that is the work that this
assembly carries on today.
This future was not easily assured. At the end of
World War I,
Turkey could have succumbed to the foreign powers that were trying to
claim its territory, or sought to restore an ancient empire. But Turkey
chose a different future. You freed yourself from foreign control. And
you founded a Republic that commands the respect of the United States
and the wider world.
There is a simple truth to this story: Turkey’s democracy is your own
achievement. It was not forced upon you by any outside power, nor did
it come without struggle and sacrifice. Like any democracy, Turkey
draws strength from both the successes of the past, and from the
efforts of each generation of Turks that makes new progress for your
people.
My country’s democracy has its own story. The general who led America in revolution and governed as our first President was
George Washington.
Like you, we built a grand monument to honor our founding father – a
towering obelisk that stands in the heart of the capital city that
bears Washington’s name.
It took decades to build. There were frequent delays. Over time, more
and more people contributed to help make this monument the inspiring
structure that still stands tall today. Among those who came to our aid
were friends from all across the world, who offered their own tributes
to Washington and the country he helped to found.
One of those tributes came from
Istanbul.
Ottoman Sultan Abdulmecid sent a marble plaque that helped to build the
Washington Monument. Inscribed in the plaque was a poem that began with
a few simple words, and I quote: “So as to strengthen the friendship
between the two countries.” Over 150 years have passed since those
words were carved into marble. Our nations have changed in many ways.
But our friendship is strong, and our alliance endures.
It is a friendship that flourished in the years after
World War II, when
President Truman
committed our nation to the defense of Turkey’s freedom and
sovereignty, and Turkey committed itself to the NATO alliance. Turkish
troops have served by our side from Korea to
Kosovo to Kabul. Together, we withstood the great test of the
Cold War. Trade between our nations has steadily advanced. So has cooperation in science and research.
The ties among our people have deepened as well, and more and more
Americans of Turkish origin live and work and succeed within our
borders. As a basketball fan, I’ve even noticed that
Hedo Turkoglu and
Mehmet Okur have got some pretty good game.
The United States and Turkey have not always agreed on every issue.
That is to be expected – no two nations do. But we have stood together
through many challenges over the last sixty years. And because of the
strength of our alliance and the endurance of our friendship, both
America and Turkey are stronger, and the world is more secure.
Now, our two democracies are confronted by an unprecedented set
of challenges. An economic crisis that recognizes no borders. Extremism
that leads to the killing of innocent men, women and children. Strains
on our energy supply and a changing climate. The proliferation of the
world’s deadliest weapons, and the persistence of tragic conflict.
These are the great tests of our young century. And the choices that we
make in the coming years will determine whether the future will be
shaped by fear or by freedom; by poverty or by prosperity; by strife or
by a just, secure and lasting peace.
This much is certain: no one nation can confront these challenges
alone, and all nations have a stake in overcoming them. That is why we
must listen to one another, and seek common ground. That is why we must
build on our mutual interests, and rise above our differences. We are
stronger when we act together. That is the message that I have carried
with me throughout this trip to
Europe. That will be the approach of the United States of America going forward.
Already, America and Turkey are working with the G-20 on an
unprecedented response to an unprecedented economic crisis. This past
week, we came together to ensure that the world’s largest economies
take strong and coordinated action to stimulate growth and restore the
flow of credit; to reject the pressure of protectionism, and to extend
a hand to developing countries and the people hit hardest by this
downturn; and to dramatically reform our regulatory system so that the
world never faces a crisis like this again.
As we go forward, the United States and Turkey can pursue many
opportunities to serve prosperity for our people, particularly when it
comes to energy. To expand markets and create jobs, we can increase
trade and investment between our countries. To develop new
sources of energy
and combat climate change, we should build on our Clean Technology Fund
to leverage efficiency and renewable energy investments in Turkey. And
to power markets in Turkey and Europe, the United States will continue
to support your central role as an East-West corridor for oil and
natural gas.
This economic cooperation only reinforces the common security that Europe and the
United States share with Turkey as a NATO ally, and the common values that we share as democracies. So in meeting the challenges of the
21st century, we must seek the strength of a Europe that is truly united, peaceful and free.
Let me be clear: the United States strongly supports Turkey’s bid to become a member of the
European Union.
We speak not as members of the EU, but as close friends of Turkey and
Europe. Turkey has been a resolute ally and a responsible partner in
transatlantic and European institutions. And Turkey is bound to Europe
by more than bridges over the Bosphorous. Centuries of shared history,
culture, and commerce bring you together. Europe gains by diversity of
ethnicity, tradition and faith – it is not diminished by it. And
Turkish membership would broaden and strengthen Europe’s foundation
once more.
Turkey has its own responsibilities. You have made important progress
toward membership. But I also know that Turkey has pursued difficult
political reforms not simply because it’s good for Europe, but because
it is right for Turkey.
In the last several years, you have abolished state-security courts and
expanded the right to counsel. You have reformed the penal code, and
strengthened laws that govern the freedom of the press and assembly.
You lifted bans on teaching and broadcasting Kurdish, and the world
noted with respect the important signal sent through a new state
Kurdish television station.
These achievements have created new laws that must be implemented, and
a momentum that should be sustained. For democracies cannot be static –
they must move forward.
Freedom of religion
and expression lead to a strong and vibrant civil society that only
strengthens the state, which is why steps like reopening the Halki
Seminary will send such an important signal inside Turkey and beyond.
An enduring commitment to the rule of law is the only way to achieve
the security that comes from justice for all people. Robust minority
rights let societies benefit from the full measure of contributions
from all citizens.
I say this as the President of a country that not too long ago made it
hard for someone who looks like me to vote. But it is precisely that
capacity to change that enriches our countries. Every challenge that we
face is more easily met if we tend to our own democratic foundation.
This work is never over. That is why, in the United States, we recently
ordered the prison at
Guantanamo Bay closed, and prohibited – without exception or equivocation – any use of torture.
Another issue that confronts all democracies as they move to the future
is how we deal with the past. The United States is still working
through some of our own darker periods. Facing the Washington monument
that I spoke of is a memorial to Abraham Lincoln, the man who freed
those who were enslaved even after Washington led our
Revolution. And our country still struggles with the legacy of our past treatment of Native Americans.
Human endeavor is by its nature imperfect. History, unresolved, can be
a heavy weight. Each country must work through its past. And reckoning
with the past can help us seize a better future. I know there are
strong views in this chamber about the terrible events of 1915. While
there has been a good deal of commentary about my views, this is really
about how the Turkish and Armenian people deal with the past. And the
best way forward for the Turkish and Armenian people is a process that
works through the past in a way that is honest, open and constructive.
We have already seen historic and courageous steps taken by
Turkish and Armenian leaders. These contacts hold out the promise of a
new day. An open border would return the Turkish and Armenian people to
a peaceful and prosperous coexistence that would serve both of your
nations. That is why the United States strongly supports the full
normalization of relations between Turkey and
Armenia.
It speaks to Turkey’s leadership that you are poised to be the only
country in the region to have normal and peaceful relations with all
the South Caucusus nations. And to advance that peace, you can play a
constructive role in helping to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,
which has continued for far too long.
Advancing peace also includes the dispute that persists in the eastern
Mediterranean. Here, there is cause for hope. The two Cypriot leaders
have an opportunity through their commitment to negotiations under the
United Nations
Good Offices Mission. The United States is willing to offer all the
help sought by the parties as they work toward a just and lasting
settlement that reunifies
Cyprus into a bizonal and bicommunal federation.
These efforts speak to one part of the critical region that surrounds
Turkey. And when we consider the challenges before us, on issue after
issue, we share common goals.
In the Middle East, we share the goal of a lasting peace between
Israel
and its neighbors. Let me be clear: the United States strongly supports
the goal of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in
peace and security. That is a goal shared by Palestinians, Israelis,
and people of good will around the world. That is a goal that that the
parties agreed to in the Roadmap and at Annapolis. And that is a goal
that I will actively pursue as President.
We know that the road ahead will be difficult. Both Israelis and
Palestinians must take the steps that are necessary to build
confidence. Both must live up to the commitments they have made. Both
must overcome longstanding passions and the politics of the moment to
make progress toward a secure and lasting peace.
The United States and Turkey can help the Palestinians and Israelis
make this journey. Like the United States, Turkey has been a friend and
partner in Israel’s quest for security. And like the United States, you
seek a future of opportunity and statehood for the Palestinians. Now,
we must not give into pessimism and mistrust. We must pursue every
opportunity for progress, as you have done by supporting negotiations
between Syria and Israel. We must extend a hand to those Palestinians
who are in need, while helping them strengthen institutions. And we
must reject the use of terror, and recognize that Israel’s security
concerns are legitimate.
The peace of the region will also be advanced if Iran forgoes any nuclear weapons ambitions. As I made clear yesterday in
Prague,
no one is served by the spread of nuclear weapons. This part of the
world has known enough violence. It has known enough hatred. It does
not need a race for ever-more powerful tools of destruction.
I have made it clear to the people and leaders of the Islamic Republic
that the United States seeks engagement based upon mutual interests and
mutual respect. We want
Iran
to play its rightful role in the community of nations, with the
economic and political integration that brings prosperity and security.
Now, Iran’s leaders must choose whether they will try to build a weapon
or build a better future for their people.
Both Turkey and the United States support a secure and united Iraq that
does not serve as a safe-haven for terrorists. I know there were
differences about whether to go to war. There were differences within
my own country as well. But now we must come together as we end this
war responsibly, because the
future of Iraq
is inseparable from the future of the broader region. The United States
will remove our combat brigades by the end of next August, while
working with the Iraqi government as they take responsibility for
security. And we will work with Iraq, Turkey, and all of Iraq’s
neighbors, to forge a new dialogue that reconciles differences and
advances our common security.
Make no mistake, though: Iraq, Turkey, and the United States face a common threat from terrorism. That includes the
al Qaeda
terrorists who have sought to drive Iraqis apart and to destroy their
country. And that includes the PKK. There is no excuse for terror
against any nation. As President, and as a NATO ally, I pledge that you
will have our support against the terrorist activities of the PKK.
These efforts will be strengthened by the continued work to build ties
of cooperation between Turkey, the Iraqi government, and Iraq’s Kurdish
leaders, and by your continued efforts to promote education and
opportunity for Turkey’s Kurds.
Finally, we share the common goal of denying al Qaeda a safe-haven in
Pakistan or
Afghanistan.
The world has come too far to let this region backslide, and to let al
Qaeda terrorists plot further attacks. That is why we are committed to
a more focused effort to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al Qaeda. That
is why we are increasing our efforts to train Afghans to sustain their
own security, and to reconcile former adversaries. And that is why we
are increasing our support for the people of Afghanistan and Pakistan,
so that we stand on the side of their security, their opportunity, and
the promise of a better life.
Turkey has been a true partner. Your troops were among the first in the
International Security Assistance Force.
You have sacrificed much in this endeavor. Now, we must achieve our
goals together. I appreciate that you have offered to help us train and
support Afghan Security Forces, and expand opportunity across the
region. Together, we can rise to meet this challenge like we have so
many before.
I know there have been difficulties these last few years. I know that
the trust that binds us has been strained, and I know that strain is
shared in many places where the Muslim faith is practiced. Let me say
this as clearly as I can: the United States is not at war with Islam.
In fact, our partnership with the
Muslim world is critical in rolling back a fringe ideology that people of all faiths reject.
But I also want to be clear that America’s relationship with the Muslim
work cannot and will not be based on opposition to al Qaeda. Far from
it. We seek broad engagement based upon mutual interests and mutual
respect. We will listen carefully, bridge misunderstanding, and seek
common ground. We will be respectful, even when we do not agree. And we
will convey our deep appreciation for the Islamic faith, which has done
so much over so many centuries to shape the world for the better –
including my own country. The United States has been enriched by Muslim
Americans. Many other Americans have Muslims in their family, or have
lived in a Muslim-majority country – I know, because I am one of them.
Above all, we will demonstrate through actions our commitment to a
better future. We want to help more children get the education that
they need to succeed. We want to promote health care in places where
people are vulnerable. We want to expand the trade and investment that
can bring prosperity for all people. In the months ahead, I will
present specific programs to advance these goals. Our focus will be on
what we can do, in partnership with people across the Muslim world, to
advance our common hopes, and our common dreams. And when people look
back on this time, let it be said of America that we extended the hand
of friendship.
There is an old Turkish proverb: “You
President Barack Obama
sought Monday to make American amends with the Islamic world after
eight years of tension, declaring in a speech to the Turkish parliament
that he is determined to have a “partnership with the
Muslim world.”
“Let me say this as clearly as I can: the United States is not – and
will never be — at war with Islam,” Obama said in remarks delivered in
Ankara.
“In fact, our partnership with the Muslim world is critical not just in
rolling back the violent ideologies that people of all faiths reject
but also to strengthen opportunities for all people.”
Obama’s declaration that the U.S. is not at war with Islam is certain to get huge play throughout the Arab world.
Former President George W. Bush said many times that Islam is a
religion of peace. In a 2003 interview with the
Arab news network Al Arabiya,
he said: “I believe that all the world, whether they be Muslim,
Christian, or any other religion, prays to the same God. That's what I
believe. I believe that Islam is a great religion that preaches peace.
Obama, seeking to mend strains with a critical ally that bridges
Europe and the
Middle East, acknowledged “difficulties these last few years.”
Turkey, the only majority Muslim country in
NATO, refused use of its territory as an invasion route to Iraq.
“I know that the trust that binds us has been strained, and I know that
strain is shared in many places where the Muslim faith is practiced,”
Obama said. “Our focus will be on what we can do, in partnership with
people across the Muslim world, to advance our common hopes, and our
common dreams. And when people look back on this time, let it be said
of America that we extended the hand of friendship.
“There is an old Turkish proverb: ‘You cannot put out fire with
flames.’ America knows this. Turkey knows this. There are some who must
be met with force. But force alone cannot solve our problems, and it is
no alternative to extremism. The future must belong to those who
create, not those who destroy. That is the future we must work for, and
we must work for it together.
The Arab
satellite news channels Al Jazeera and Al Arabiyia carried the address live. Here is the full text of the president’s remarks. :
Mr.
Speaker, Madam Deputy Speaker, distinguished members, I am honored to
speak in this chamber, and I am committed to renewing the alliance
between our nations and the friendship between our people.
This is my first trip overseas as
President of the United States. I have been to the G-20 Summit in London, the
NATO Summit in Strasbourg and Kehl, and the
European Union Summit in
Prague. Some people have asked me if I chose to continue my travels to
Ankara and
Istanbul to send a message. My answer is simple: Evet. Turkey is a critical ally. Turkey is an important part of
Europe. And Turkey and the United States must stand together – and work together – to overcome the challenges of our time.
This morning I had the privilege of visiting the tomb of the great
founder of your Republic. I was deeply impressed by this beautiful
memorial to a man who did so much to shape the course of history. But
it is also clear that the greatest monument to Ataturk’s life is not
something that can be cast in stone and marble. His greatest legacy is
Turkey’s strong and secular democracy, and that is the work that this
assembly carries on today.
This future was not easily assured. At the end of
World War I,
Turkey could have succumbed to the foreign powers that were trying to
claim its territory, or sought to restore an ancient empire. But Turkey
chose a different future. You freed yourself from foreign control. And
you founded a Republic that commands the respect of the United States
and the wider world.
There is a simple truth to this story: Turkey’s democracy is your own
achievement. It was not forced upon you by any outside power, nor did
it come without struggle and sacrifice. Like any democracy, Turkey
draws strength from both the successes of the past, and from the
efforts of each generation of Turks that makes new progress for your
people.
My country’s democracy has its own story. The general who led America in revolution and governed as our first President was
George Washington.
Like you, we built a grand monument to honor our founding father – a
towering obelisk that stands in the heart of the capital city that
bears Washington’s name.
It took decades to build. There were frequent delays. Over time, more
and more people contributed to help make this monument the inspiring
structure that still stands tall today. Among those who came to our aid
were friends from all across the world, who offered their own tributes
to Washington and the country he helped to found.
One of those tributes came from
Istanbul.
Ottoman Sultan Abdulmecid sent a marble plaque that helped to build the
Washington Monument. Inscribed in the plaque was a poem that began with
a few simple words, and I quote: “So as to strengthen the friendship
between the two countries.” Over 150 years have passed since those
words were carved into marble. Our nations have changed in many ways.
But our friendship is strong, and our alliance endures.
It is a friendship that flourished in the years after
World War II, when
President Truman
committed our nation to the defense of Turkey’s freedom and
sovereignty, and Turkey committed itself to the NATO alliance. Turkish
troops have served by our side from Korea to
Kosovo to Kabul. Together, we withstood the great test of the
Cold War. Trade between our nations has steadily advanced. So has cooperation in science and research.
The ties among our people have deepened as well, and more and more
Americans of Turkish origin live and work and succeed within our
borders. As a basketball fan, I’ve even noticed that
Hedo Turkoglu and
Mehmet Okur have got some pretty good game.
The United States and Turkey have not always agreed on every issue.
That is to be expected – no two nations do. But we have stood together
through many challenges over the last sixty years. And because of the
strength of our alliance and the endurance of our friendship, both
America and Turkey are stronger, and the world is more secure.
Now, our two democracies are confronted by an unprecedented set
of challenges. An economic crisis that recognizes no borders. Extremism
that leads to the killing of innocent men, women and children. Strains
on our energy supply and a changing climate. The proliferation of the
world’s deadliest weapons, and the persistence of tragic conflict.
These are the great tests of our young century. And the choices that we
make in the coming years will determine whether the future will be
shaped by fear or by freedom; by poverty or by prosperity; by strife or
by a just, secure and lasting peace.
This much is certain: no one nation can confront these challenges
alone, and all nations have a stake in overcoming them. That is why we
must listen to one another, and seek common ground. That is why we must
build on our mutual interests, and rise above our differences. We are
stronger when we act together. That is the message that I have carried
with me throughout this trip to
Europe. That will be the approach of the United States of America going forward.
Already, America and Turkey are working with the G-20 on an
unprecedented response to an unprecedented economic crisis. This past
week, we came together to ensure that the world’s largest economies
take strong and coordinated action to stimulate growth and restore the
flow of credit; to reject the pressure of protectionism, and to extend
a hand to developing countries and the people hit hardest by this
downturn; and to dramatically reform our regulatory system so that the
world never faces a crisis like this again.
As we go forward, the United States and Turkey can pursue many
opportunities to serve prosperity for our people, particularly when it
comes to energy. To expand markets and create jobs, we can increase
trade and investment between our countries. To develop new
sources of energy
and combat climate change, we should build on our Clean Technology Fund
to leverage efficiency and renewable energy investments in Turkey. And
to power markets in Turkey and Europe, the United States will continue
to support your central role as an East-West corridor for oil and
natural gas.
This economic cooperation only reinforces the common security that Europe and the
United States share with Turkey as a NATO ally, and the common values that we share as democracies. So in meeting the challenges of the
21st century, we must seek the strength of a Europe that is truly united, peaceful and free.
Let me be clear: the United States strongly supports Turkey’s bid to become a member of the
European Union.
We speak not as members of the EU, but as close friends of Turkey and
Europe. Turkey has been a resolute ally and a responsible partner in
transatlantic and European institutions. And Turkey is bound to Europe
by more than bridges over the Bosphorous. Centuries of shared history,
culture, and commerce bring you together. Europe gains by diversity of
ethnicity, tradition and faith – it is not diminished by it. And
Turkish membership would broaden and strengthen Europe’s foundation
once more.
Turkey has its own responsibilities. You have made important progress
toward membership. But I also know that Turkey has pursued difficult
political reforms not simply because it’s good for Europe, but because
it is right for Turkey.
In the last several years, you have abolished state-security courts and
expanded the right to counsel. You have reformed the penal code, and
strengthened laws that govern the freedom of the press and assembly.
You lifted bans on teaching and broadcasting Kurdish, and the world
noted with respect the important signal sent through a new state
Kurdish television station.
These achievements have created new laws that must be implemented, and
a momentum that should be sustained. For democracies cannot be static –
they must move forward.
Freedom of religion
and expression lead to a strong and vibrant civil society that only
strengthens the state, which is why steps like reopening the Halki
Seminary will send such an important signal inside Turkey and beyond.
An enduring commitment to the rule of law is the only way to achieve
the security that comes from justice for all people. Robust minority
rights let societies benefit from the full measure of contributions
from all citizens.
I say this as the President of a country that not too long ago made it
hard for someone who looks like me to vote. But it is precisely that
capacity to change that enriches our countries. Every challenge that we
face is more easily met if we tend to our own democratic foundation.
This work is never over. That is why, in the United States, we recently
ordered the prison at
Guantanamo Bay closed, and prohibited – without exception or equivocation – any use of torture.
Another issue that confronts all democracies as they move to the future
is how we deal with the past. The United States is still working
through some of our own darker periods. Facing the Washington monument
that I spoke of is a memorial to Abraham Lincoln, the man who freed
those who were enslaved even after Washington led our
Revolution. And our country still struggles with the legacy of our past treatment of Native Americans.
Human endeavor is by its nature imperfect. History, unresolved, can be
a heavy weight. Each country must work through its past. And reckoning
with the past can help us seize a better future. I know there are
strong views in this chamber about the terrible events of 1915. While
there has been a good deal of commentary about my views, this is really
about how the Turkish and Armenian people deal with the past. And the
best way forward for the Turkish and Armenian people is a process that
works through the past in a way that is honest, open and constructive.
We have already seen historic and courageous steps taken by
Turkish and Armenian leaders. These contacts hold out the promise of a
new day. An open border would return the Turkish and Armenian people to
a peaceful and prosperous coexistence that would serve both of your
nations. That is why the United States strongly supports the full
normalization of relations between Turkey and
Armenia.
It speaks to Turkey’s leadership that you are poised to be the only
country in the region to have normal and peaceful relations with all
the South Caucusus nations. And to advance that peace, you can play a
constructive role in helping to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,
which has continued for far too long.
Advancing peace also includes the dispute that persists in the eastern
Mediterranean. Here, there is cause for hope. The two Cypriot leaders
have an opportunity through their commitment to negotiations under the
United Nations
Good Offices Mission. The United States is willing to offer all the
help sought by the parties as they work toward a just and lasting
settlement that reunifies
Cyprus into a bizonal and bicommunal federation.
These efforts speak to one part of the critical region that surrounds
Turkey. And when we consider the challenges before us, on issue after
issue, we share common goals.
In the Middle East, we share the goal of a lasting peace between
Israel
and its neighbors. Let me be clear: the United States strongly supports
the goal of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in
peace and security. That is a goal shared by Palestinians, Israelis,
and people of good will around the world. That is a goal that that the
parties agreed to in the Roadmap and at Annapolis. And that is a goal
that I will actively pursue as President.
We know that the road ahead will be difficult. Both Israelis and
Palestinians must take the steps that are necessary to build
confidence. Both must live up to the commitments they have made. Both
must overcome longstanding passions and the politics of the moment to
make progress toward a secure and lasting peace.
The United States and Turkey can help the Palestinians and Israelis
make this journey. Like the United States, Turkey has been a friend and
partner in Israel’s quest for security. And like the United States, you
seek a future of opportunity and statehood for the Palestinians. Now,
we must not give into pessimism and mistrust. We must pursue every
opportunity for progress, as you have done by supporting negotiations
between Syria and Israel. We must extend a hand to those Palestinians
who are in need, while helping them strengthen institutions. And we
must reject the use of terror, and recognize that Israel’s security
concerns are legitimate.
The peace of the region will also be advanced if Iran forgoes any nuclear weapons ambitions. As I made clear yesterday in
Prague,
no one is served by the spread of nuclear weapons. This part of the
world has known enough violence. It has known enough hatred. It does
not need a race for ever-more powerful tools of destruction.
I have made it clear to the people and leaders of the Islamic Republic
that the United States seeks engagement based upon mutual interests and
mutual respect. We want
Iran
to play its rightful role in the community of nations, with the
economic and political integration that brings prosperity and security.
Now, Iran’s leaders must choose whether they will try to build a weapon
or build a better future for their people.
Both Turkey and the United States support a secure and united Iraq that
does not serve as a safe-haven for terrorists. I know there were
differences about whether to go to war. There were differences within
my own country as well. But now we must come together as we end this
war responsibly, because the
future of Iraq
is inseparable from the future of the broader region. The United States
will remove our combat brigades by the end of next August, while
working with the Iraqi government as they take responsibility for
security. And we will work with Iraq, Turkey, and all of Iraq’s
neighbors, to forge a new dialogue that reconciles differences and
advances our common security.
Make no mistake, though: Iraq, Turkey, and the United States face a common threat from terrorism. That includes the
al Qaeda
terrorists who have sought to drive Iraqis apart and to destroy their
country. And that includes the PKK. There is no excuse for terror
against any nation. As President, and as a NATO ally, I pledge that you
will have our support against the terrorist activities of the PKK.
These efforts will be strengthened by the continued work to build ties
of cooperation between Turkey, the Iraqi government, and Iraq’s Kurdish
leaders, and by your continued efforts to promote education and
opportunity for Turkey’s Kurds.
Finally, we share the common goal of denying al Qaeda a safe-haven in
Pakistan or
Afghanistan.
The world has come too far to let this region backslide, and to let al
Qaeda terrorists plot further attacks. That is why we are committed to
a more focused effort to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al Qaeda. That
is why we are increasing our efforts to train Afghans to sustain their
own security, and to reconcile former adversaries. And that is why we
are increasing our support for the people of Afghanistan and Pakistan,
so that we stand on the side of their security, their opportunity, and
the promise of a better life.
Turkey has been a true partner. Your troops were among the first in the
International Security Assistance Force.
You have sacrificed much in this endeavor. Now, we must achieve our
goals together. I appreciate that you have offered to help us train and
support Afghan Security Forces, and expand opportunity across the
region. Together, we can rise to meet this challenge like we have so
many before.
I know there have been difficulties these last few years. I know that
the trust that binds us has been strained, and I know that strain is
shared in many places where the Muslim faith is practiced. Let me say
this as clearly as I can: the United States is not at war with Islam.
In fact, our partnership with the
Muslim world is critical in rolling back a fringe ideology that people of all faiths reject.
But I also want to be clear that America’s relationship with the Muslim
work cannot and will not be based on opposition to al Qaeda. Far from
it. We seek broad engagement based upon mutual interests and mutual
respect. We will listen carefully, bridge misunderstanding, and seek
common ground. We will be respectful, even when we do not agree. And we
will convey our deep appreciation for the Islamic faith, which has done
so much over so many centuries to shape the world for the better –
including my own country. The United States has been enriched by Muslim
Americans. Many other Americans have Muslims in their family, or have
lived in a Muslim-majority country – I know, because I am one of them.
Above all, we will demonstrate through actions our commitment to a
better future. We want to help more children get the education that
they need to succeed. We want to promote health care in places where
people are vulnerable. We want to expand the trade and investment that
can bring prosperity for all people. In the months ahead, I will
present specific programs to advance these goals. Our focus will be on
what we can do, in partnership with people across the Muslim world, to
advance our common hopes, and our common dreams. And when people look
back on this time, let it be said of America that we extended the hand
of friendship.
There is an old Turkish proverb: “You cannot put out fire with flames.”
America knows this. Turkey knows this. There are some who must be met
with force. But force alone cannot solve our problems, and it is no
alternative to extremism. The future must belong to those who create,
not those who destroy. That is the future we must work for, and we must
work for it together.
I know there are those who like to debate Turkey’s future. They see
your country at the crossroads of continents, and touched by the
currents of history. They know that this has been a place where
civilizations meet, and different peoples mingle. And they wonder
whether you will be pulled in one direction or another.
Here is what they don’t understand: Turkey’s greatness lies in your
ability to be at the center of things. This is not where East and West
divide – it is where they come together. In the beauty of your culture.
In the richness of your history. In the strength of your democracy. In
your hopes for tomorrow.
I am honored to stand here with you – to look forward to the future
that we must reach for together – and to reaffirm America’s commitment
to our strong and enduring friendship. Thank you.
cannot put out fire with flames.”
America knows this. Turkey knows this. There are some who must be met
with force. But force alone cannot solve our problems, and it is no
alternative to extremism. The future must belong to those who create,
not those who destroy. That is the future we must work for, and we must
work for it together.
I know there are those who like to debate Turkey’s future. They see
your country at the crossroads of continents, and touched by the
currents of history. They know that this has been a place where
civilizations meet, and different peoples mingle. And they wonder
whether you will be pulled in one direction or another.
Here is what they don’t understand: Turkey’s greatness lies in your
ability to be at the center of things. This is not where East and West
divide – it is where they come together. In the beauty of your culture.
In the richness of your history. In the strength of your democracy. In
your hopes for tomorrow.
I am honored to stand here with you – to look forward to the future
that we must reach for together – and to reaffirm America’s commitment
to our strong and enduring friendship. Thank you.
SOURCE:
YAHOO.NEWS
