Excerpts from Barack Obama’s Turk address
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Hurriyet Daily News
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Nisan 07, 2009 00:00
ANKARA - Below are excerpts from President Barack Obama’s speech in Parliament yesterday.
"And Turkey and the United States must stand together - and work together - to overcome the challenges of our time.
It is also clear that the greatest monument to Atatürk’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.
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.
Together, we withstood the great test of the Cold War. Trade between our nations has steadily advanced. So has cooperation in science and research.
As a basketball fan, I’ve even noticed that Hedo Turkoğlu and Mehmet Okur have got some pretty good game.
... 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.
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.
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. 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. 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. We will listen carefully, bridge misunderstanding and seek common ground. We will be respectful, even when we do not agree. Turkey’s greatness lies in your ability to be at the center of things."
Full text and video of the speech at www.hurriyetdailynews.com
It is also clear that the greatest monument to Atatürk’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.
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.
Together, we withstood the great test of the Cold War. Trade between our nations has steadily advanced. So has cooperation in science and research.
As a basketball fan, I’ve even noticed that Hedo Turkoğlu and Mehmet Okur have got some pretty good game.
... 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.
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.
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. 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. 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. We will listen carefully, bridge misunderstanding and seek common ground. We will be respectful, even when we do not agree. Turkey’s greatness lies in your ability to be at the center of things."
Full text and video of the speech at www.hurriyetdailynews.com