NEW YORK - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Friday that all embargoes and restrictions imposed upon the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) should be lifted and stated, ''terrorism is a crime against humanity. We are dutybound to eradicate this evil from the face of earth. And soon...''
Gul addressed the U.N. General Assembly and stressed that Turkey wanted sincerely a lasting solution in Cyprus and asked embargoes and restrictions imposed upon the TRNC to be lifted and TRNC President Rauf Denktas's latest proposals to be seized.
Foreign Minister Gul called upon Israel to review its decision to send Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat into exile and Gul urged the Palestinian side to exert every effort to prevent further terrorist attacks.
''The many challenges that the world faces today underline the central role of the United Nations, as so ably highlighted by the Secretary General. The efforts to adapt this unique organization to the realities of today's international life should resolutely be pursued. The world needs a more representative, effective and efficient United Nations. In close cooperation with the U.N., Turkey has accumulated over the years a vast experience in regional cooperation, peacekeeping and conflict prevention,'' Gul said.
''We have also shown a strong will to solve our bilateral foreign policy problems. Today, we have very good relations with some neighboring countries with which we experienced difficulties in the recent past. We are also doing our best efforts to contribute to the solution of problems in the Middle East, the Balkans, and the Caucasus,'' he noted.
Gul said, ''my Government's reforms at home reflect a sustained effort to promote democracy, human rights, rule of law, civil society, good governance, accountability and gender equality to the highest standards set by the United Nations and the European Union. The results show that national and spiritual values can be in perfect harmony with the contemporary standards of life. Integration with the world is not possible without bringing our values and traditions in harmony with modernity.''
Announcing Turkey's candidature for a seat in the Security Council, Gul said, ''it is on the strength of this increasingly relevant Turkish experience, and the richness of our ties with the international community that Turkey has decided to present its candidature for a seat in the Security Council for the years 2009-2010.''
Gul said, ''the situation in the Middle East will remain of crucial significance for the evolution of the international environment for some time to come. We do not believe that the Middle East is condemned to eternal strife and suffering. This is one cradle of civilization that has enjoyed peace and prosperity for centuries. That is why we believe that it is feasible today to transform the Middle East into a region of security, cooperation and prosperity.''
''The events of the year have brought Iraq to the beginning of a new era. All of us need to help the Iraqi nation in their formidable task of building their united, free, democratic and prosperous future. It is therefore highly important for the United Nations Security Council to agree on a mandate responsive to the needs of stabilization and reconstruction,'' he stated.
Stressing that Iraq was Turkey's close neighbor and this country's future and that of the region's stability were inter-linked, Gul said, ''in the Middle East, we are again witnessing the cycle of terror and violence taking hostage all efforts towards peace. We see the restoration of the channels of communication and dialogue between the Palestinians and the Israelis as the most urgent task in hand. We believe sending the elected President of the Palestinian National Authority into exile cannot serve any good purpose. We call upon the Israeli Government to review its position. At the same time, we urge the Palestinian side to exert every effort to prevent further terrorist attacks. Turkey has close ties with both the Israelis and the Palestinians. We remain ready to contribute to the implementation of the 'Road Map' which we believe has no alternative.''
''The world needs the elimination of weapons of mass destruction, not their proliferation. The inherent logic of this argument has been recognized by the community of nations that have adhered to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. We strongly support the efforts aimed at increasing the membership to non-proliferation agreements and regimes,'' Gul said.
He noted, ''we are determined to further enhance our relations with Greece along the current constructive dialogue process. We are pleased with the progress achieved so far. We are convinced that the ongoing dialogue and the resulting atmosphere of mutual confidence will serve the interests of both Turkey and Greece.''
''Turkey sincerely desires a lasting political settlement establishing a new partnership in Cyprus. This issue is with us since 1963. The attempts to distort the facts in the island will not help the efforts aiming at a comprehensive settlement. We continue to support the good offices mission of the United Nations Secretary-General. A new partnership in Cyprus should be based on a compromise between the Turkish and Greek Cypriots, and on equal status. Furthermore, a settlement should preserve bi-zonality in the Island, and ensure the security of the Turkish Cypriot people,'' Gul noted.
''At the present stage in Cyprus, it is necessary to create the basis for substantive negotiations. The window of opportunity opened by President Denktas's latest proposals designed to overcome the lack of confidence between the two sides should be seized. Indeed, the Greek Cypriot side, instead of trying to take advantage of its prospect of unilateral accession to the European Union, should act in a spirit of goodwill and contribute to the negotiating process. All embargoes and restrictions imposed upon the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus should be lifted as a matter of priority,'' Gul said.
Gul said, ''Turkey expects Armenia to fully comply with the relevant U.N. resolutions in order to find a prompt and just solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,'' and stated, ''the peaceful settlement of this conflict will positively contribute to the normalization of the Turkish-Armenian relations and also to regional cooperation.''
''Traditionally a close friend, Turkey has contributed for many years to the rehabilitation of Afghanistan,'' he noted.
Gul added, ''Turkey is determined to remain a major contributor to peace, security and stability in her region and beyond.''
(EÖ-AÖ) 27.09.2003