‘BE THE VOICE OF THE SILENT MASSES’

Sabah
Feb 20 2009
Turkey

The following issues were discussed during the telephone conversation
held between US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Tayyip
Erdogan:

* "(Regarding world-wide expectations) A while back, journalists
asked me what my expectations were for the new US administration
and President Obama. I told them, "I expect President Obama to be
the voice for those in the world who have nothing, the voice of the
silent and destitute masses.’ I am also mentioning this desire now
to you. The day you won the election, the speech you made positively
affected the entire globe. I also want to express that I found your
messages of dialogue and peace especially influential and appropriate."

* "(Regarding the Middle East) The tragic events that transpired
in Gaza are equivalent to a massacre for us. I have shared with
the entire world Turkey’s humanistic reflexes and the sensitivity
expressed towards achieving peace in the region. We are also the only
nation that has been approached by both Israel and Syria in order
to act as mediator for meetings between the two nations. However,
the fact that Gaza was attacked while we were acting as mediator has
seriously disappointed us."

* "(Genocide bill) The putting forth of this draft, is an effort
that will harm relations between the US and Turkey. Turkey is
currently engaging in extremely active diplomacy in order to find
a solution to the issues between Turkey and Armenia. According to
us, there is no problem regarding relations normalizing between the
two nations. However, the Armenian diaspora is exerting efforts for
relations to remain strained. The US administration must take this
point into consideration."

FROM OBAMA TO ERDOÄ~^AN:

* "We place much importance on Turkey’s leadership in the
region. Furthermore, we are also very well aware of your own personal
efforts and leadership. We hope that Turkey will act as mediator
again in the future. We are well aware of Turkey’s importance in
terms of finding a solution to the Syria-Israel issue as well as
other problems in the region."

* "I want to commend Turkey for taking the first step in order to
correct Turkey-Armenia relations and for making finding a solution
a priority. The normalization of relations between Turkey and
Armenia will be an important factor that will lighten the pressure
on the US administration. We also place much importance on Turkish
sensitivities."