Clinton in Turkey speaks of 'friend for all times' (Roundup)

[bemildred]

Source: DPA

Ankara - US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in Ankara on Saturday declared Turkey a 'friend for all times' and thanked her hosts for Turkey's military contribution to NATO's mission in Afghanistan, for economic investment in Iraq and for Ankara's role in the now stalled Israel-Syria peace process.

Speaking after wide-ranging talks with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Ali Babacan that covered a number issues, including the Middle East, Afghanistan, NATO and the fight against terrorism, Clinton announced that President Barack Obama would visit Turkey next month.

'I will tell President Obama that he will find a warm welcome,' Clinton said at a joint press conference with Babacan.

Clinton in particular praised Turkey for its role in mediating peace talks between Israel and Syria, saying that the talks were a part of the overall Mideast peace process.

Read more: http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/europe/news/article_1463335.php/Clinton_in_Turkey_speaks_of_friend_for_all_times__Roundup_

[Beacool]

1. Thank you for posting.

Minus a few minor gaffes, I think that Hillary is doing great as SOS. It's heartwarming to see the masses of people who gather wherever she goes and how happy they seem to see her in their country. What a difference from the previous administration.

:bounce:

[IndianaGreen]

4. Hillary is a refreshing change from the previous SecofState

And she has a better grasp of the issues than the Russia-expert she replaced at Foggy Bottom.

[Beacool]

7. Yes, she does!!!

But the right is attacking her saying that Condi would have known the correct translation of the word restart.

:-(

[Tim01]

14. I don't know about comparing her to anybody else.

But she looked like a complete idiot. Maybe she should have stuck to something simple like buying them some DVDs at walmart, instead of trying to translate ONE word in their language.

[marshall]

13. I was hoping for a goofy Turkey themed gag gift

Like a turkey call whistle or something.

[jody]

2. Bush said "I looked the man [Putin] in the eye . . . I was able to get a sense of his soul" n/t

[polmaven]

3. Your point being?

:shrug:

[jody]

5. 'friend for all times' is a snap judgment that probably won't survive future events. n/t

[excess_3]

6. I wouldn't take any diplomatic-speak seriously

meaningless BS that could change in an instant

[ohio2007]

8. Obama to visit Turkey on first trip to Muslim nation

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton held up Turkey on Saturday as proof that democracy and Islam can coexist and said Barack Obama would visit the NATO state in his first trip as president to a Muslim country. The choice of Turkey -- a secular Muslim democracy that aspires to join the European Union -- reflects the value Washington places on links with Ankara as it tries to forge a better relationship with the Islamic world.

"Democracy and modernity and Islam can all coexist," Clinton said in Ankara, appearing on a popular Turkish television chat show, Hadi Gel Bizimle .

"I really consider the role of Turkey as a global leader very important," she told her four female interviewers.

After eight years of former President George W. Bush, who invaded two Muslim countries and gave strong support to Israel, Obama has pledged a "new way forward" with the Muslim world.

There has been speculation he might use Turkey as a platform for a widely expected major policy speech on ties between the U.S. and Islamic world.

"He will be visiting Turkey within the next month or so. The exact date will be announced shortly.

snip
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/22/20090307/tpl-uk-turkey-usa-43a8d4f.html

Some time ago there was a thread on speculating where Barack would give "a major speech" in a Muslim nation.

dunno whatever happened to that thread.

[Zorro]

9. Turkey is a valued ally

in addition to being a fascinating country to visit.

[mainer]

10. I love visiting Turkey -- it's like Greece, but a LOT cheaper.

And very beautiful.

[Vehl]

11. things are not so rosy

Turkey is a nice country all right;..all very PC. with a largely non-fundamentalist population and a pro-western government; what is there not to like?. Except the fact that the Turkish military is the de-facto power behind any Turkish government(the military does not stand by and watch when a government that does not toe its line is elected).


And let us not forget the fate of the Kurds; people whose country was split up between its neighbors and who are now second class citizens in their own land.for all the talk about freedom and equality; im yet to see the American government condemn the Turkish government's excesses towards the Kurdish population.


while we are at it; the Greeks do not love the Turkish government either; especially cos part of Cyprus is still occupied by Turkey.
just cos we are allowed to have a few bases there...and just cos the government is pro western should not blind us to its faults.
btw; Turkish textbooks not only deny that the Armenian genocide happened; but they actively demonize the Armenian people. We get all worked up about holocaust deniers...but in Turkey the Armenian genocide denial is institutionalized.


Unless we stop looking for the proverbial "short cuts" and think long term; we will not make any real friends and end up alienating many many potential allies.

[Hope And Change]

12. Threats, threats and more threats...

Babacan was asked if April 24, the day the White House traditionally issues a statement marking "Armenian Remembrance Day," will still spell difficulty for Ankara during the upcoming visits and whether he expected Obama to use the word "genocide" in his speech on that day.

"During his election campaign, Obama made verbal pledges five times (to support the Armenian genocide resolution), and he also has a letter (on the official recognition of the Armenian genocide allegations).

I still see a risk. This word may seem easy for them to use, but coming here, they should understand our people's reaction," he responded, adding, "The new American administration understands Turkey's sensibilities better today."

"It would not be rational for a third country to take a position on this topic. A bad step by the United States would only worsen the process" of reconciliation between Armenia and Turkey, Babacan also said, calling on the US to not interfere in the dispute between the neighbors.

http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=169060">Full article here(Turkish newspaper)

And what does a possible recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the USA have to with the reconciliation between Armenia and Turkey?These Turks wants to make every issue to a negotiation issue.There are over 18 countries that have recognized the Armenian Genocide.


Here`s more blah blah from Turkey:

"If the request does not suit us, we may have to say we're sorry"

Babacan used the words above to describe the position the Turkish government will take during Obama's trip to Turkey.

Turkey's Foreign Affairs Minister Babacan made an assessment of bilateral relations following Clinton's trip as well as yesterday's surprise announcement that US President Obama will also be paying a visit to Turkey. Babacan stated that the US Congress meeting held on April 24th, which was focused on during Clinton's trip, would also be a matter to be discussed during Obama's visit. In regards to the accusations of an Armenian 'genocide,' Babacan commented; "Obama had made this issue a part of his campaign. Therefore, I still feel there is 'risk' regarding which position he plans to take." Babacan went on to warn, "He must understand the reactions which could develop amongst our public." Babacan also stated that the course regarding withdrawal from Iraq was obvious, ane went on to say; "In actuality, the course for withdrawal has been determined. The vehicles and provisions that will enter through Northern Iraq will be loaded onto ships docked in a port on the Mediterranean. The timing is significant however. They will put forth their demands and we may say yes to some of them. However, to some, we may have to say "we're sorry.' Cooperation can not be one-sided."

http://english.sabah.com.tr/9BC80CE17FB64F64816DD51FD4704281.html">Full article here(Turkish newspaper)

Yeah right, what a great ally.

[Vehl]

16. Armenian Genocide denial is as bad as holocaust denial

Turkey is a country of contradictions. on one hand it tries to be modern and progressive; but on the other it tries to sweep its human rights abuses under the carpet; weather they be new(against the Kurds) or old (against the Armenians)


I really wish Obama will stick to his campaign promises and call the genocide what it really is..genocide.


Ps: i remember reading a complaint letter to the National geographic magazine by the Turkish ambassador after it mentioned the Armenian genocide on one of its articles. the Turkish government are a bunch of hypocrites.

[Hope And Change]

17. What the Turks are afraid of is that if USA recognizes the AG then...

the Assyrians,Greek Pontians and the Kurds would be the to next demand recognition of genocides against them.If Turkey was smart, they would have said "Look, we are sorry, we have committed genocides against the Christians and against the Kurds and we apologize for that and all the injustices against them"; built a memorial for all these people and suddenly the issue wouldn`t been so sensitive anymore.If the Turkish government doesn`t want to use the "G" word then at least apologize for all these massacres - it would be a step in the right direction.On the other hand, the current Turkish government seemed to have the gut to apologize to the Alevites for the "Kahramanmaraş massacre in 1978, the events that took place in Çorum in 1980, as well as the infamous Sivas fire in the summer of 1993" and now even an Alevite institute was recently founded...

You can read more about it here:

http://english.sabah.com.tr/12593B94CFBB4B3B91007D000FB66090.html

http://www.bianet.org/bianet/kategori/english/111561/alevite-institute-is-founded


Sad that Turkey hasn`t taken the same approach towards the other minorities.

[bdamomma]

18. oh crap, the Armenians are being put on the back burner again.

Turkey will never admit to the Genocide of the Armenians what total BS. I don't agree with SOS Clinton on this one. It is knowledge that Turkey has committed Genocide on the Armenians during 1915-1917.

[Vehl]

19. yes..:(

Will we see a more humane approach towards the world from this Administration that was totally lacking in the previous one?
going by Clinton's remark..i doubt it :(


this is why a lot of minorities around the world distrust America; when they see the Us government ditching any moral or humanitarian concern just so it could get some good deals from the countries that commit those crimes.


no one is asking the us to "invade" a country, but to stand by the principles on which America was founded in the first place.
how can we continue to talk about being a land of freedom/human rights etc etc if we deal with countries that respect neither. should we not practice what we preach?


its hard not to be cynical here...if Sudan had Oil reserves and was willing to open them up for the American companies...i can bet that there would have been no action about the plight of inhabitants of Darfur.


we have to realize that we are as cynical and hypocritical as any country that had business dealings with Nazi Germany during ww2.

:(

[harun]

15. I am happy to hear Obama will be visiting.