I extend my
warm and respectful greetings to all, and hope that the
sixty-sixth session of the General Assembly will yield
fruitful results. I would like to congratulate Mr. Nassir
Abdulaziz Al-Nasser on his assumption of the
presidency, and extend my sincere appreciation to Mr.
Joseph Deiss for his service as the previous President
of the Assembly.
We are at a moment when both the international
community and the United Nations are being tested in
an unprecedented manner. I feel obliged, however, to
state very frankly that today the United Nations is not
demonstrating the leadership necessary to help
humankind overcome its fears of the future. The United
Nations must therefore reform itself and renew its
vision with a view to protecting the universal rights of
humankind as a whole, rather than act in the interest
and remain under the guardianship of certain countries.
Last month in Somalia, for instance, I personally
witnessed how the United Nations and the international
community remain helpless in the face of today’s
pressing problems. It is impossible for me to put into
words the poverty and suffering I saw in Somalia. I am
speaking of this because I have personally witnessed it,
with my family and ministers. It is not hearsay; I have
seen it myself. The tragedy of Somalia, where tens of
thousands of children have died for the lack of a mere
piece of bread and drop of water, is a matter of shame
for the international community and cannot be
dismissed in a few words. The civil war that has gone
on for the past 20 years has wiped out all of Somalia’s
resources and livelihood. The Somali people are being
gradually dragged to their death as the world looks on.
The international community is watching the
suffering in Somalia as if it were a movie. It is urgent,
however, that we face this situation, which is a test of
our humanity. In doing so, we should not only look at
the picture we see today, but also at the shameful
history that has led Somalia into this great tragedy.
Indeed, beneath the tip of this huge iceberg lie great
crimes against humanity.
In that respect, the situation in Somalia has also
revealed the deep wounds inflicted by the colonialist
mentality that kept Africa under its hegemony for
centuries. Today, however, this cold colonial attitude
stands aloof from places where it has no interest, and is
watches idly as millions of children die for want of a
morsel of bread in Somalia. I will be frank. No one can
speak of peace, justice or civilization in the world if
the cry rising from Somalia is left unheard. No words
are sufficient to describe the agony there.
Turkey’s approach to Somalia or any other
international issue is firmly grounded on humanitarian
principles, which is why we have launched a
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comprehensive aid campaign for Somalia with the
strong support of our nation. We have collected
donations from our people of about $300 million
within the past two months; moreover, our
humanitarian assistance to date totals more than
$30 million. We also organized an emergency meeting
of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Istanbul,
at which pledges exceeded $350 million.
Along with emergency humanitarian aid, Turkey
is also determined to help build the infrastructure and
facilities that will enable Somalia to stand on its own
feet. In that regard, Turkey has undertaken a wide
range of projects, from transportation to health and
education, and from agriculture to fisheries and
construction, including roads, hospitals, schools and
water wells. By reopening our embassy in Mogadishu,
we have also shown the world that claims of security
problems cannot be an excuse for delaying assistance.
Along with such measures, it is also essential that
we bring an end to the civil war as quickly as possible
and provide Somalia with democratic and unified
governance in order to succeed in the fight against the
piracy and terrorism originating there. In that regard,
we would ask everyone to consider why the
international community refuses to bestow on Somalia
the attention it has given to conflict areas elsewhere in
the world. The entire international community must act
with a sense of utmost urgency in support of the efforts
to build peace and stability in Somalia. The civil war
that has suffocated our Somali brothers for 20 years
must end without further delay.
In that context, the recent progress made by
Somali leaders towards building a national consensus
gives us hope for the future. As Somalia resumes its
well-deserved place within the international
community, the world will become a safer and more
stable place. It is precisely this understanding that lies
at the heart of Turkey’s determined efforts to help
Somalia. We are making every attempt to implement
infrastructure investments that will enable Somalia to
stand on its feet, and working unrelentingly to help
establish an environment of political stability and
peace conducive to sustainable development. We are
doing this solely because it is our humanitarian
responsibility, and with no other motive. It is our
greatest hope that the leadership demonstrated by
Turkey in this area will set an example for the entire
international community.
For us, the United Nations symbolizes the ideal
that international law and justice shall prevail over
sheer force and oppression, that peace shall prevail
over conflict, and that the conscience of humanity shall
prevail over narrow self-interest and political
equilibrium. That is what I understand the United
Nations to be.
The greatest impediment to the realization of this
ideal is the Arab-Israel conflict, which has been
ongoing for more than half a century. The fact that this
problem is still not resolved and that rights, law and
justice have been sacrificed for the sake of political
balance is the greatest blow to the our sense of
international justice.
To date, Israel has not complied with — and I
emphasize this number — 89 binding resolutions of the
Security Council. In addition, there are hundreds of
resolutions adopted by the General Assembly — this
very body — that Israel has ignored. Even more
regrettable is the fact that the United Nations has been
helpless to take a single step to end the human tragedy
suffered by the Palestinian people.
Therefore, I must ask is whether the United
Nations will fail to implement the sanctions it has
imposed on other countries just as it has failed to
implement its resolutions concerning Israel. Will the
United Nations assiduously follow through on the
resolutions it has taken with regard to other places, for
example, the Sudan? We really do need to look at
ourselves in the mirror.
This situation causes great indignation in the
international community in general. Therefore, it
cannot remain unresolved; the international community
must act urgently to heal this bleeding wound.
Israel readily uses phosphate bombs and
possesses the atom bomb, and has endured no
sanctions. But if even the hint of such a possibility
emerges elsewhere in the region, efforts are made to
suppress it. I ask whether that is fair and just.
To be frank, the problem in this context is caused
by the Israeli Government. Those who govern the
country take steps every day that, instead of paving the
way for peace, build new barriers to it. Thus, it is the
Palestinian territories that are under occupation, not
Israeli territory. It is a contradiction of history to say
that it the occupied lands are Israeli territory. It is
Palestinian territory that is under occupation. It is
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Israel that uses disproportionate force. Once again, it is
Israel that does not abide by international will.
In this context, the illegal settlements that are still
being established in the occupied territories of
Palestine, despite the calls of the international
community to stop, as well as the blockade on Gaza,
stand out in particular.
I ask the Assembly; Does the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights allow for a country,
society or people to be cut off from international
justice? In my copy of the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights, I do not see such a possibility. If you
want to send a box of tomatoes to Palestine, you must
get permission from Israel, and I do not think that is
humane.
As I have stated before, those who govern Israel
must make a choice. Loopholes in the United Nations
system and lobbies in some countries may give Israel
the opportunity to evade international law and justice
as it pursues its illegitimate actions. However, that will
not ensure — and I say this with emphasis — the
security that Israel needs today.
Those who govern Israel must see that real
security is possible only by building real peace. I
would like once again to remind Israel from this
rostrum that nothing can substitute for peace. What we
face today is not a simple equation of peace for
security. Israel must read the newly flourishing
political and social landscape in the Middle East and
understand that it will no longer be possible to carry on
in environment of continuous strife and conflict.
If we, as the international community, believe
that the ideal of establishing international peace and
security is the founding principle of the United
Nations, then it is time pressure Israel to achieve
peace, despite the actions of its leaders, and to show it
clearly that it is not above the law.
One of the most important steps that need to be
taken in this regard is responding to the legitimate
demands of the Palestinian people to be recognized as
a State and to have the representatives of the State of
Palestine take their well-deserved place in this
Assembly as a Member of the United Nations. Indeed,
in 1947 the United Nations, through resolution
181 (II), declared Palestine a State, but unfortunately
that resolution was not implemented.
Turkey’s support for the recognition of the State
of Palestine is unconditional. Turkey will continue to
work actively in the Middle East to ensure peace. We
stand ready to do so. Accordingly, we will continue to
work actively for the resolution of the Arab-Israeli
conflict, the recognition of the State of Palestine, the
achievement of unity among Palestinians, and the
lifting of the illegal blockade enforced against the
people of Gaza.
This commitment is a natural extension of our
vision for regional peace and stability and our
commitment to international law and justice. It is also
the result of the responsibility we feel in this area.
Similarly, when a humanitarian aid convoy of
participants from 33 countries was attacked by air and
sea in international waters, resulting in the deaths of
nine innocent civilians, we could not remain silent. Our
reaction to Israel was a manifestation of our
conviction.
Turkey has never pursued hostile and
confrontational policies against any State. Our foreign
policy is based on the principles of friendship and
cooperation. Our policy towards Israel is no exception
to these principles. However, Israel has seriously
wronged a country and its people who have through
history shown great friendship to it and its people.
What we demand of Israel is clear. Israel must
apologize, pay compensation to the families of our
martyrs and lift the blockade on Gaza. Until Israel
meets these demands and takes steps in this direction,
our position will not change.
Let me also emphasize from this rostrum that we
do not have a problem with the people of Israel. Our
problem arises from the aggressive policies of the
current Israeli Government. In fact, we have had very
constructive relations with previous Israeli
Governments, making great strides in a number of
areas. Currently, the source of tension is solely the
Israeli Government.
Turkey is a country that is trustworthy in the
international arena and whose friendship and
cooperation are sought. We will not abandon this
principled and determined policy.
We are witnessing a historic process of
transformation and change in the Middle East. From
the very first day when these events began, we
appealed to all administrations in the region to lend an
ear to the calls of their people for democracy. The
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ultimate source of legitimacy for every Government is,
above all, the people and its will. What needs to be
done is to ensure that the people’s will is realized in a
free and open manner.
We have also said that sovereignty derives from
the will of the people. Any sovereignty that does not
rest on the will of the people is not legitimate.
Sovereignty does not allow any leader or any regime to
repress its own people or kill innocent civilians. A
regime that points guns at its own people can have no
sovereignty or legitimacy. Today, everyone must
understand that times have changed. The era of
Governments that do not meet the legitimate needs and
expectations of their people and of administrations that
oppress and repress their people and fail to give the
highest priority to justice has come to an end.
This was the call we made. We are very pleased
to see that our calls have been heeded in Egypt, Tunisia
and Libya and have paved the way for democratic
transformation and transition on the basis of the
legitimate demands of the people in those countries.
This gives us hope for the future. We observe with
regret, however, that some countries continue to stay
behind the curve of events and react with misguided
reflexes owing to their outdated state of mind.
In that context, we are very closely following the
developments unfolding in Syria, which is our
neighbour and therefore very important to Turkey. The
current situation in Syria gives us great cause for
concern. The actions of the Government are
unacceptable and we have warned the Syrian
leadership many times to that effect. We share a
910-kilometre border. We have ties and relatives on
both sides of the border. We have always spoken the
truth, because we believe that friends always speak the
truth, no matter how bitter. We have always stated that
the voices, demands and wishes of the people must be
heard. We have said that persecution and oppression
cannot generate prosperity. We must listen to the call of
the people for democracy, not point guns at them.
Unfortunately, the Syrian leadership has
persistently ignored our warnings. Now, every drop of
blood spilled in the country only widens and deepens
the divide between the people and the administration of
Syria. Turkey will continue to support the legitimate
and democratic demands of the people of Syria and
elsewhere, and to call on regimes to respect the wishes
and expectations of their people. We expect the
international community to do the same.
In that regard, we are increasing our cooperation
with Tunisia and Egypt. In Libya, Turkey has
supported the National Transitional Council from the
very beginning. We are very proud to announce that we
were the first country to restore its Ambassador to
Libya. We will continue to staunchly support the new
Libya as it resumes its well-deserved place in the
United Nations as a democratic, united and
independent State.
During my visit to Libya last week, I went to
Tripoli, Tajura, Misurata and Benghazi, holding
meetings in all four cities. I met and spoke with the
people. I saw and sensed the righteous pride of the
Libyan people in their revolution. I also witnessed the
destruction in Misurata.
I believe that the international community must
be very sensitive to certain issues in terms of Libya.
First, Libya and its resources belong to the Libyans. As
democracy is established in Libya, it is very important
that the country’s frozen assets abroad be released
immediately so that Libya can stand on its own two
feet. We want to ensure that the Libyans have the
resources they really need. Currently, the country has
$170 billion in assets abroad, but the people cannot
benefit from them. In that regard, it is essential to
implement resolution 2009 (2011). The Libyan people
can determine their own future and we must respect
their choices.
A fair, comprehensive and lasting solution must
be found to the long-standing problem in Cyprus,
which has persisted for more than half a century. The
United Nations plan put forward in 2004 demonstrated
that the parameters of a solution are there, but that the
Greek Cypriot side lacks the necessary will to make it
a reality. The Turkish Cypriot side, however, has still
not been freed from the isolation imposed upon it, even
though it has always expressed its full determination to
find a solution. Nevertheless, the Turkish Cypriot side
has remained committed to a peaceful solution and has
participated with goodwill in the negotiations resumed
under United Nations auspices.
The objective is to finalize the negotiations by the
end of this year and have the settlement plan endorsed
in simultaneous referendums early next year, thus
enabling a united new Cyprus to take its place in the
European Union without further delay. Turkey will
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continue to provide all necessary support so as to reach
a solution as soon as possible, in line with that
timetable. I wish to emphasize, however, that if the
intransigent attitude of the Greek Cypriot side does not
permit this to happen, as a guarantor country we will
not let the future of the Turkish Cypriots remain
uncertain forever.
Moreover, at this critical juncture, we cannot
accept any attempt by the Greek Cypriot side to act as
if it were the sole representative of the Island or had
the authority to make decisions on behalf of the
Turkish Cypriots. In that regard, the attempts of the
Greek Cypriot side to unilaterally determine maritime
jurisdiction areas and to engage in exploration
activities in oil and natural gas fields are extremely
irresponsible in terms of both timing and possible
outcomes.
In the face of these unilateral activities of the
Greek Cypriot side, which appear to be aimed at
provoking a crisis, Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side
will act with common sense, but also will resolutely
protect their rights under international law. At this
point, we expect all concerned parties to work actively
to ensure that the Greek Cypriot Administration halts
these activities, which could lead to tension, not only
on the Island, but also throughout the region.
Otherwise, we will do whatever is necessary.
The illegitimate occupation of Azerbaijani
territories, which has been ongoing for many years,
must come to an end. It is unacceptable to allow the
Nagorny Karabakh conflict to remain unresolved to the
extent that it is today.
All of us bear political and moral responsibility
for resolving international problems before they lead to
stalemates. In that respect, more effective efforts must
be made to peacefully resolve the Kashmir conflict and
many other frozen disputes, which I will not enumerate
here. Conversely, peace and stability in the Balkans
can be achieved with the recognition of Kosovo’s
independence.
Turkey has always been a staunch supporter of
the principles and goals enshrined in the Charter of the
United Nations. I believe that we showed our
commitment in that respect during our tenure as a
non-permanent member of the Security Council in
2009-2010. I also believe that our effective
performance at that time attests to what we intend to do
if re-elected to the Security Council for 2015-2016. In
this regard, I to take this opportunity to reaffirm that
we count on the support of all the Members of the
General Assembly for Turkey’s candidacy to a
non-permanent seat in the Security Council for the
term 2015-2016.
As yet another manifestation of our support for
the goals of the United Nations, we are also determined
to pursue the Istanbul Programme of Action adopted at
the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least
Developed Countries, which Turkey hosted early this
year. We are also continuing our efforts to implement
as soon as possible the announced package of
economic and technical cooperation for the least
developed countries. As part of that package, which
includes many areas of cooperation ranging from trade
to education and agriculture to energy, we intend to
provide the least developed countries with annual
assistance of $200 million. We also envisage increasing
our direct investments in these countries to $5 billion
and $12 billion by 2015 and 2020, respectively.
We consider security, development and respect
for human rights to be integral parts of the same whole.
Together, they constitute the most fundamental
guarantee of lasting peace. Turkey will continue to
work towards the attainment of these fundamental
objectives of the United Nations and make every effort
to leave future generations a safer and more prosperous
world.