From President Obama's remarks to the Turkish Parliament yesterday: "I know there have been difficulties these last few years. I know that the trust that binds the United States and Turkey has been strained, and I know that strain is shared in many places where the Muslim faith is practiced. So let me say this as clearly as I can: The United States is not, and will never be, at war with Islam. (Applause.) 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 opportunity for all its people.
I also want to be clear that America's relationship with the Muslim community, the Muslim world, cannot, and will not, just be based upon opposition to terrorism. We seek broader engagement based on mutual interest and mutual respect. We will listen carefully, we will bridge misunderstandings, and we will seek common ground. We will be respectful, even when we do not agree. We will convey our deep appreciation for the Islamic faith, which has done so much over the centuries to shape the world -- including in my own country. The United States has been enriched by Muslim Americans. Many other Americans have Muslims in their families or have lived in a Muslim-majority country -- I know, because I am one of them. (Applause.)
Above all, above all we will demonstrate through actions our commitment to a better future. I 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 to all people.
There's an old Turkish proverb: "You cannot put out fire with flames." America knows this. Turkey knows this. There's some who must be met by force, they will not compromise. 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 come together. They wonder whether you will be pulled in one direction or another.
But I believe 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 -- this is where they come together. (Applause.) 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 very much. (Applause.) Thank you. Thank you."
Can you imagine having the leader of the U.S. making statements like these in a Muslim country? I have never been prouder of an American President.
Mr Obama has made a good start in the Muslim World. Turkey, Iran & Pakistan are the most important non Arab Muslim countries and must be treated by the West as Allies.
I am the first one to understand the difficulty of dealing with Iran and the awful state of affairs in Pakistan but for students of history it will not be a surprise to hear that these three countries were part of a block against the Soviet influence in the Muslims world. These three countries were the members of an economic alliance called RCD and were thinking upon the lines of EU to have free trade and movement of labour. But then Iran went theocratic under the Mullahs and Pakistan was consumed by the Afghan Jihad. Out of the three most secular societies in the Muslim World, only Turkey survived as a bastion of secularism as Iran & Pakistan succumbed to Shia & Sunni Islam respectively. In this historical backdrop it is vital for the EU and the US to court Turkey and keep it on their side, otherwise history may eventually find Turkey on the other side as well.
http://real-politique.blogspot.com
By Sikander Hayat
Its a good thng that Obama shows some "respect" to the edge of europe/middle east. Turkey is a country with great oppertunities and very nice people. yet i think they need to get their own things set straight first, before they join the EU
What he lacks in financial management (trying to spend America out of its debt) he makes up for in diplomacy. It's time for the USA to reclaim the respect it deserves, but which had been tested by a cowboy approach that did not sit well with the rest of the world.
As a Turk living abroad, I read Turkish newspapers on the internet daily. And I like to look at the comments of the visitors after every news piece, because I believe that the opinion of the readers gives away much more information than what the real news tells. During and after the two day stay of Mr. Obama in Turkey I paid close attention to user comments relating to the news about Obama's stay and activities in Turkey. And here are my observations:
1) There were close to 200-300 comments on every new related to Obama, which was way higher than average for any ordinary news item,in the most read Turkish newspaper.
2) A big majority of the commenters ( I would say 80-90%) praised Obama especially for this speech.
3) Most of them found his talk pretty sincere.
4) On a side note, Turkish people loved Michele Obama too. :)
Personally I believe that Obama will break the prejudice against America not only in Turkey but in the rest of the world, if he keeps doing what he's doing and if people realize that he's really sincere.
We need more American's like you, Colin, and Obama. We don't want people like the guys on CNN who kept criticizing their president's every move in Europe and Turkey. I believe then the world would be a more peaceful place.
Thanks
My personal blogs:
http://www.siberhoca.com/ (Turkish)
http://financerelated.info/ (English)
I think you should ponder the connection between President Obama's comments anywhere and your next blog entry on the promotion of organizational sociopaths in complex organizations. No organization more complex than the Federal Government, and getting more so all the time.
Unlike most of my french compatriots, I think that the entry of Turkey into the European community is better for our peoples and for the peoples of confession mulmumane. The rapprochment of our countries is a necessity. Go against the merger between peoples is a historical mistake. Your President Obama is a clear example of intelligence, I admired before, and now more. Thank you for having vote for him!
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