Erdogan: We Can Give A Certain Rate Of Land In Cyprus

BOSTON - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said, ''Turkish Cypriot people live in 36 percent of Cyprus. We can give a certain rate of land. As guarantor state, we can make a proposal, and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) displays an attitude to this end. Finding a solution to the Cyprus issue is more important.''
Prime Minister Erdogan, who is currently paying an official visit to the United States, attended a conference at Boston's Harvard University on ''Democracy in the Middle East, Pluralism in Europe and Perspective of Turkey''.
Upon a question about the Cyprus issue, Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''Turkish Cypriot people live in 36 percent of Cyprus. We can give a certain rate of land. As guarantor state, we can make a proposal, and the TRNC displays an attitude to this end. Finding a solution to the Cyprus issue is more important.''
Responding another question about Turkey's European Union (EU) membership process, Prime Minister Erdogan referred to the concept of clash of civilizations, and said, ''the EU should accept Turkey's membership since Turkey is in favor of a compromise among civilizations. Turkey's membership to the EU will be beneficial for both sides.''
Upon a question about Turkey's human rights records, Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''Turkey has adopted a series of adjustment laws under its efforts to fulfill Copenhagen criteria. Our government has been maintaining its determination to this end.''
When asked about request of Kurdish groups in northern Iraq for formation of a federation on the basis of ethnicity, Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''a divided structure based on ethnicity will lead Iraq to its end. Such an initiative will not strengthen Iraq. On the contrary, it will divide Iraq.''
Upon a question about allegations of so-called Armenian genocide, Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''according to our point of view, we should leave such issues behind and concentrate on the future. In fact, historians should deal with such issues. Turkish historians also claim that Armenians massacred Turkish civilians in the past. I want to stress that Armenian patriarch lives in our country, and he has the opportunity of holding talks with government officials. Armenians living in Turkey are not put pressure. I am in favor of freedoms. I advocate protection of their religious belief.''
ERDOGAN: MIDDLE EAST SHOULD ACHIEVE DEMOCRATIZATION
Erdogan has said, ''the Middle East should achieve democratization. It is not realistic to expect the atmosphere of instability to result in democratization.''
Erdogan said, ''I held a series of positive meetings with U.S. President George W. Bush and his team. During these meetings, we affirmed that there has been a sound friendship between Turkey and the United States based on a common vision and mutual interests. Both Turkey and the United States have the necessary will to further improve their partnership relations.''
Referring to the issue of the Middle East, Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''there are many different views and approaches over the issue of the Middle East. However, all of them agree with each other at one point. They all think that the Middle Eastern countries could not achieve democratization process. Those advocating it, claim that democracy was a product of the Western culture and that democracy could not be implemented in the Middle East which has a different cultural, religious, sociologic and historical experience. In the same way, some circles claim that democracy and the Islam culture could not co-exist. In fact, democracy can be put into practice in the Middle East. Turkey has proved that democracy and the Islam culture could co-exist perfectly. The Middle East should achieve democratization. The United States and the European Union (EU) should assist the Middle Eastern countries to turn their request for democracy into a political will and a concrete process of transformation. I am aware of the thesis saying that the United States had supported stability in the region and prevented settlement of democracy in the Middle East. It is the domestic argument of American society. I do not want to be involved in. However, it is not realistic to expect the atmosphere of instability to result in democratization.''
Stressing that the Islam world and the Middle Eastern countries had remained behind of the world in regard to political, economic and humanitarian development, Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''although they desire a democratic system, regional people have a problem of confidence about targets of the democratic world. This problem is more serious in countries suffering from poverty and acts of violence. Therefore, their sufferings should be paid attention.''
ERDOGAN: THERE IS NEED FOR A DEMOCRACY IN IRAQ BASED ON SOCIAL COMPROMISE ON A BASIS OF WHICH TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY AND NATIONAL UNITY ARE PROTECTED
Erdogan noted that if democracy was a culture, settlement of this compromise culture would take some time.
''Foundations of democratic transformation should be laid in the Middle East within the scope of sincere and determined strategy which is also supported by several instruments of politics,'' he noted.
Erdogan said that the important thing was to develop instruments of politics which settled democratization on the basis of social compromise and provided this transformation on this stable basis and added that it required a comprehensive strategy, broad-based international solidarity and determined implementation.
He noted that he thought that as the fundamental principle of democratization, this target should be adopted by every country.
Erdogan said that democratization should not be exploited as a temporary instrument on the way of settlement of an anti-democratic regime and noted that social compromise which kept alive democracy and institutions which represented and protected this compromise should be made effective.
He stressed that there should be a pluralist organic democracy which backed separation of powers and added that he called it as ''deep democracy''.
Stating that democracy would be settled gradually in the Middle East and sincere, determined and gradual processes would be to the benefit of people in the Middle East, Erdogan said that the United States and Europe could benefit from it.
''A solution in Arab-Israel conflict was an important factor to overcome the problem of confidence in the region. As the prime minister of a country that has lived friendly with its Jewish citizens for centuries and currently has had close friendships both with Israel and Palestinians, I would like to make it clear that Turkey would not accept anybody to threaten Israel state's right to exist. In the same way, Palestinian state should live side by side with Israel state within its secure and recognized borders and Palestinian people's security and prosperity should be take under guarantee. Insolubility of Arab-Israel conflict should not be accepted. Terror and violence should end. Solution should be settled. The United States is the only power which can have an influence within this scope.''
Noting that a lasting solution to Arab-Israel problem would bring very positive results for Palestinian and Israeli people, the region and international community, he said that the United States which contributed to solution of the problem with determination, would render ineffective focal points which supported terrorism and which poisoned civilization and strengthen its position of being a powerful actor in spreading modern values.
Underlining that there was need for settlement of democracy in Iraq based on social compromise on a basis of which territorial integrity and national unity were protected, Erdogan said, ''Turkey wishes sincerely the United States be successful in Iraq and it extends multidimensional support to it. The policy that we pursue for Iraq is bound to territorial integrity and national unity of Iraq.'' Stating that Iraq could reach a democracy which was at peace with itself and neighboring countries only through this way, Erdogan said that Turkey would also embrace all Iraqi people the following period.
Erdogan said that by taking into consideration whole Middle East region, a regional security and cooperation regime which encouraged positive changes should be put into practice with contributions of the United States and Europe.
He noted that a process which was based on the region should be started and a broad frame which would take into account good administration with economy and security should be set up.
''It should be a brand new initiative. Europe also reached achievement in its history also with the help of such efforts. Today of the Middle East will be overcome through this way,'' he stated.
Erdogan said that the United States played a key role in Europe's achieving this transformation and it could also make similar contribution to the Middle East.
ERDOGAN: TURKISH PEOPLE CARRIED OUT A HISTORIC TRANFORMATION PROCESS UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF MUSTAFA KEMAL ATATURK
Erdogan said, ''when we look at the democratization process of Turkey, we see advantages of interaction with the United States and the European Union (EU). Both the United States and Europe are the parts of the same system of values. This system was founded on the basis of loyalty to democratic principles. Turkish people carried out a historic transformation process under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of Republic of Turkey. In this process based on secular regime and the principle, 'sovereignty belongs to people', a pluralist democracy has been settled in Turkey step by step since 1946. Turkish people's determination in reaching the target of modernization is the real reason of success of this process. Our people's determination facilitated Turkey's preference to take place in the U.S.-led free world following the World War II. After this preference, our membership to NATO and our EU process have become a significant encouragement and an element of confidence in our efforts of settling a modern civilization and a democratic system. Western Europe lived through a difficult process of democratization which had lasted for centuries. Turkey did not experienced these difficulties. In fact, Turkey has developed its democracy more easily as a result of its NATO membership and EU process.''
Stressing that Turkey had recorded great progress in its efforts of reaching the democratic standards, Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''our government has taken giant steps by making a series of rooted and historic reforms. We have settled a universal understanding of democracy in Turkey. Meanwhile, Turkey is ready to do its utmost to encourage democratization in the Middle East and to facilitate this historic transformation. Turkey has the potential of making contribution to democratization process in the Middle East. First of all Turkey is a model of an advanced democracy at a junction point between Europe and the Middle East. Turkey has gained strength from the processes of Europe and Europe-Atlantic in its development. Turkey has still been taking historic steps to form a belt of co-operation in its region. These steps constitute creation of a new and positive relation culture based on co-operation and mutual confidence. Also, there have been alliance, deep friendly ties and a significant partnership between Turkey and the United States.''
Referring to Turkey's EU membership process, Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''Turkey does not target only co-operation with the EU. Our real target is to integrate with the EU. The EU's taking a decision to open accession talks with Turkey will be a triumph of democracy and the beginning of the project of compromise among civilizations. The EU membership will make many contributions to Turkey. On the other hand, Turkey's membership to the EU will further strengthen the union in return. We are in favor of a compromise among civilizations. This target will be achieved as result of Turkey's joining the EU. If the EU is a whole of political values, it should accept Turkey having a population of mostly Muslim people.''
Calling out to the Islam world and the Middle Eastern countries, Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''democracy is universal and an obligation of modern life. Next generations will remember today's leaders for their determination in achieving democratization process. Therefore, all countries should develop an appropriate democratization perspective in line with their own conditions. They should benefit from recommendations of the third countries and international organizations. Muslim countries should take necessary steps instead of accusing the foreign countries.''
Calling out to the Western world, Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''the western world should listen to the Islam world carefully and assist it in its efforts of achieving transformation. Success of fight against international terrorism depends on it. The Western world's level of industrialization entails it to form a more fair global order and settle compromise among civilizations.''
''Democracy can be settled in the Middle East on the basis of a sound education strategy. Fight against international terrorism cannot result in success without education. Education should be further strengthened for global peace and

(AA) 31.01.2004